Building on Success of Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center, DDC Continues to Grow Its Alternate Delivery Program as the City’s First CM-Build Pilot Program Gains Five Projects

CM-Build pilot follow example of DDC’s design-build pilot program

Proven to be a faster and more efficient for many types of projects

DDC: Ian Michaels, 646-939-6514, michaelia@ddc.nyc.gov

(Long Island City, NY – March 25, 2026) Acting Commissioner Eduardo del Valle of the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced today that five projects are proceeding in the agency’s new Construction Manager-Build (CM-Build) pilot program, taking advantage of a legislative victory in Albany that allows DDC to use the faster and more efficient method of construction for projects at libraries and cultural institutions.

The program builds on the success that DDC saw creating the new $141 million Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center in Brooklyn, which opened in February. Using design-build contracting, the new Center was built by DDC in just three years, half the time it would be projected to take under the traditional system of lowest bidder contracting. Design-build projects are also typically completed with ten percent savings to taxpayers compared to lowest bidder contracting. DDC won the right to use design-build in a variety of projects in late 2019 and all of its initial design-build pilot projects will be completed before the end of 2026.

“We estimate that we can save at least one year on the standard project and up to two full years on larger projects using CM-Build,” said DDC Acting Commissioner Eduardo del Valle, “returning buildings back to their communities much faster. DDC has a proven track record of using CM-Build contracting effectively during emergencies and we are happy to announce that five vital community projects are moving forward in procurement – every project should be managed with a due sense of urgency when we need to take City assets offline to facilitate renovation work. CM-Build allows us to be more efficient, and address issues in the City’s building stock, including at 70 Mulberry Street in Chinatown where we’re rebuilding a local cultural landmark after a fire.”

“New Yorkers deserve public spaces that are built and renovated without unnecessary delays, and this innovative pilot program ensures the City can more quickly and efficiently build, renovate and return libraries, museums and cultural landmarks to their communities,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “As we saw with the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center, when we use commonsense construction methods, all New Yorkers benefit. This new program will set a new standard for how to build our city faster and smarter.” 

CM-Build teams designers and builders together early in the process so they can work together to innovate and quickly solve problems which under the traditional system of lowest bidder contracting could cause long delays. DDC’s CM-Build and Design-Build procurements follow a similar two-step process. Interested firms can submit a Statement of Qualifications and after review of their experience and qualifications can be placed on a shortlist of up to three firms or teams. The firms or teams on the shortlist are then able to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP) which is evaluate by a team at DDC to determine the contract award.

The five projects in the new DDC CM-Build pilot program are:

• 70 Mulberry rebuild (DCAS) – Currently in negotiations with a preferred CM-Build contractor, construction is projected to start later this year;
• Spring Creek Library renovation and upgrade (Brooklyn Public Library) – Three shortlisted firms AECOM, Laland Baptiste and Top Rock will receive RFPs by the end of March;
• Harlem Stage Gatehouse renovation and upgrade (DCLA) – Three shortlisted firms Armand, Hudson Meridian and LiRo will receive RFPs in March;
• Snug Harbor Phase B/Staten Island Museum (DCLA) – Now being reviewed in DDC’s Front-End Planning Unit;
• Woodside Library renovation (Queens Public Library) – Request for Qualifications to be issued soon seeking firms to be shortlisted.

DDC used CM-Build successfully during the COVID-19 pandemic to build testing and vaccination centers and during the migrant crisis to build asylum centers in record time. In late-2024, following a push by DDC and others to promote a legislative agenda to improve construction in the City, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that allows DDC to use CM-Build for some projects outside of emergencies.

DDC continues to use CM-Build contracting in projects for which there is an emergency declaration, including the upgrade of the Rodman’s Neck Firearms & Tactics Facility in the Bronx. Progress in the CM-Build pilot follows several years of successful implementation of design-build contracting by DDC. Design-build is another popular alternate method of project delivery that was approved by the State for certain City and DDC projects in late 2019.

Other projects that DDC is currently completing with design-build include the new $128 million Brownsville Multi-Service Center, which is being completed two years faster, and the new Roy Wilkins Recreation Center in Queens.

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager, providing New York’s diverse communities in all five boroughs with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains. To manage this $34 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.