Government Relations Services

Government Relations

With decades of experience and an in-depth knowledge of all City and State governmental agencies, boards and legislative bodies, Capalino+Company navigates the complexities of government to deliver pragmatic, cost effective results to clients. In advising clients on how to formulate and achieve specific government relations objectives, our overriding goal is to enhance their reputation with public sector decision makers.  We begin each engagement by helping clients define their objectives and then advise them on how to align their products or services with relevant governmental goals to achieve success. Pursuing governmental approvals or resources that may be accessible to clients requires careful analysis of regulatory and legislative issues to ensure that clients are well prepared to participate in the public approval process. The firm insists on providing accurate, credible information to key elected officials and their staffs and in building coalitions with interest groups that share common objectives with clients.

Services in the Government Relations practice include:

Concessions/Franchises: We have helped numerous clients secure approval by the City’s Franchise and Concession Review Committee (FCRC) from project initiation to RFP designation to final FCRC approval.

Landmarks Approvals: Working with Clients seeking to expand, restore or construct new buildings in historic districts or conduct work on a designated building, we guide our clients by working closely with the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), the relevant community board and preservation groups.

Legislative, Policy & Regulatory Advocacy: As registered lobbyists, we have successfully helped our clients create, change and/or eliminate laws, regulations or policies that are not in their best interests.

Licensing/Permitting: Conducting business in the City of New York can require a myriad of licenses and permits, many of which require community and public review.  We help existing and new companies quickly secure these approvals by working with the relevant agencies, local elected officials and communities.

Public Sector Funding: As a leading public policy lobbying firm in New York, we have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in City and State capital and programmatic funding by working closely with City and State agencies, the New York City and State Legislatures and the Borough Presidents.

Featured Projects

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

As government relations advisors to this internationally-renowned cultural institution, Capalino+Company has helped significantly increase the public sector funding for the Museum by attracting millions of dollars in expense funds focused on its arts education programs and capital grants for its façade restoration, a new conservation lab and various building upgrades.  In addition, Capalino+Company worked closely with the Museum to secure locations and permits for its acclaimed Stillspotting and BMW Guggenheim Lab projects.

Museum of the Moving Image

In January 2011, the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens re-opened following a major, $66 million expansion that included a new theater, screening room, education center and other aesthetic and functional upgrades.  The opening – which included remarks by Mayor Bloomberg and many elected officials and celebrities – was covered by press from around the world and, since then, the Museum has significantly increased its visitorship and public awareness.  Capalino+Company played a significant role in helping the Museum raise more than $50 million in public funding towards the expansion and helped the Museum problem solve through its construction phase and secure additional funds for its arts education programs.

Taconic Partners – 837 Washington Street

The site at 837 Washington Street sits directly in the meatpacking landmark district next to the Highline.  Taconic Partners decided to develop the site and, in order to do so, needed approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission.  Capalino+Company worked with the client first to secure the support of the local community board, which typically denies applications for major changes in the historic district, then worked closely with the staff and Commissioners of the Landmarks Preservation Commission to obtain the final approvals.  This action is considered one of the largest approvals granted by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.