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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 084-05
March 7, 2005

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS TO THE MAYOR'S COMMISSION ON CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITY

Members Representing Contractors, Unions and Developers Will Work To Ensure Development Projects Create Opportunities for All New Yorkers

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today was joined by U.S. Congressman Charles B. Rangel to announce the establishment of the Mayor's Commission on Construction Opportunity.  The Commission will explore strategies and set goals for ensuring that all New Yorkers, particularly minorities, women, returning veterans and new high school graduates, are well-prepared and can gain access to good, permanent jobs in construction, in both the private and public sectors, during the expected construction boom over the next ten years.  The 34 members include private developers and contractors including minority and women-owned businesses, union representatives, advocates, and government officials. The announcement took place at District Council 9/Painters and Allied Trades' Apprentice and Training Center in Long Island City, Queens.

"As I said in the State of the City address, New York City is at the dawn of an exciting period and we are perfectly positioned to take advantage of what we expect will be the biggest construction booms in our City's history," said Mayor Bloomberg.  "We want to ensure that these solid, permanent jobs go to New Yorkers, especially minorities, women, returning veterans and new high school graduates, who have been well-prepared to succeed. Over the past few weeks, we have found 34 exceptional individuals to serve on the Commission and I am sure they will move forward aggressively to address these goals as we continue to find new ways to create opportunity for all.  I thank Congressman Rangel for his commitment and hard work on behalf of New York City, and each of the Commission members in advance for dedicating their time and expertise to this historic endeavor."

"Construction is a major part of the City's economic future and development, with almost every neighborhood and community experiencing its growth," said Congressman Rangel. "I applaud Mayor Bloomberg for recognizing the importance of making sure these new construction jobs stay with New Yorkers, as well as working hard to expand opportunities. I look forward to exploring these issues further and participating in the Mayor's Commission."

"I want to ensure that all New Yorkers benefit from new development across the city," said Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. "This effort represents a significant step in that direction."

The Mayor's Commission will be co-chaired by Deputy Mayor for Policy Dennis Walcott and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Daniel Doctoroff, and will include seven City agency heads.  The Commission's first meeting will take place on Friday, March 18th.  Members will work together to identify the needs of the industry and various approaches to combine opportunities with education and support, as well as explore opportunities in both public and private construction.  At dates to be determined by the Commission, it will announce a series of commitments to be undertaken to meet these goals.  The members of the Mayor's Commission on Construction Opportunity are:

  • Alan Becker, Trades Construction Services Corp.
  • Major General Matthew P. Caulfield, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) and Executive Director, Center for Military Recruitment, Assessment and Veterans Employment, referred to as "Helmets to Hardhats"
  • Richard B. Clark, President & CEO, Brookfield Properties
  • Louis J. Coletti, President & CEO, Building Trades Employers' Association
  • Robert Corbett, Business Agent, Plumbers Local Union 1
  • Douglas R. Griffith, Business Agent, Int'l Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 3
  • Susan L. Hayes, President & CEO, Cauldwell Wingate Company and President, Non-Traditional Employment for Women
  • Amaziah (Bill) Howell, President, Howell Petroleum Products
  • Francoise Jacobsohn, Project Manager, Legal Momentum
  • David R. Jones, Esq., President & CEO, Community Service Society
  • Robert Kasdin, Senior Executive Vice President, Columbia University
  • Chris Kui, Executive Director, Asian Americans for Equality
  • Gary LaBarbera, President, Local 282, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
  • Robert Ledwith, Business Manager, Metallic Lathers Union Local 46
  • Jeffrey E. Levine, President, Levine Builders
  • Edward J. Malloy, President, Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater NY
  • Timothy Marshall, President & CEO, Jamaica Business Resource Center and Vice Chair, Minority Business Leadership Council
  • Raymond G. McGuire, General Counsel, Contractors Association of Greater NY
  • Paul J. O'Brien, Managing Director, Building Contractors Association
  • The Honorable Charles B. Rangel, Member of Congress
  • Jack Rudin, Chairman, Rudin Management Company
  • Steven Spinola, President, Real Estate Board of New York
  • The Honorable William C. Thompson, The Comptroller of the City of New York
  • Sandy Vagelatos, Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer, District Council 9, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
  • Elizabeth Velez, Executive Vice President, Velez Organization
  • Andrew M. Alper, President, Economic Development Corporation
  • Michael Cardozo, Corporation Counsel, Law Department
  • Joel I. Klein, Chancellor, Department of Education
  • Tino Hernandez, Chairman, New York City Housing Authority
  • Patricia Lancaster, Commissioner, Department of Buildings
  • Jeanne B. Mullgrav, Commissioner, Department of Youth & Community Development
  • Robert W. Walsh, Commissioner, Department of Small Business Services

The major development projects throughout the City include but are not limited to the Hudson Yards, West Chelsea, Downtown Brooklyn, Greenpoint/Williamsburg, Lower Manhattan redevelopment, and Upper Manhattan. The City estimates that from these projects alone, 260,000 construction jobs would be created over the next 30 years. If New York is selected as the Host City for the 2012 Olympics, thousands more construction jobs will be created.







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