Capalino SVP Fred Kreizman: Communication is the Key to Success in Development

 

Written by Fred Kreizman, Senior Vice President, Capalino

The “City That Never Sleeps” is blessed with a construction boom that facilitates the economic well-being of the City. According to the US Department of Labor, employment in the construction industry has steadily increased in NYC since 2010. The City looks for developers to help enable a number of public benefits, from creating higher paying jobs, to providing opportunities for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), and delivering much-needed housing and human services space. The best way for developers to achieve these important goals is to be a good neighborhood partner.

Developers and their construction teams are generally concerned with continuing to build in a way that reduces delays and cost overruns. At the same time, tenants and businesses in the community are focused on maintaining a decent quality of life with ongoing construction.

The best way to address both concerns is for developers to have an effective, proactive communication plan to engage community stakeholders.

For example, After Hour Variances (AHV) can be an essential development tool but developers should consider the concerns of the affected stakeholders and, if appropriate, reach out to them in advance of requesting an AHV from the Department of Buildings.  Developers should communicate their needs to ensure that all sides are informed, taking into account the importance of minimizing impact on neighbors while facilitating construction. In some cases, work must be done “after hours” in accordance with City regulations, but that does not negate the need to respectfully approach the community.

At the start of every project, we recommend that developers ask themselves the following questions:  What are my surroundings?  How can we best work within the standard parameters of my block and neighborhood? Who needs to know about this development and what information should I provide? What impact may I be causing, and where can I minimize it?

When evaluating which neighborhood stakeholders should be consulted, there are a number of groups to consider. They include:

It is vital that the principals of a project be involved in the community consultation process. This is not only to properly demonstrate respect for your neighbors and community, but also so that decision makers are participatory in the process and neighborhood stakeholders’ concerns (and good ideas!) are heard, allowing for better quality of life during construction and better projects for developers and the City.

If you have any questions or would like assistance with your development needs please contact Fred Kreizman, Senior Vice President, at fred@nullcapalino.com or 212.616.5831.   

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