Michael Horodniceanu speaking at the 141st CityLaw Breakfast. Image Credit: CityLaw
Michael Horodniceanu, our friend and former colleague, passed away on June 22, 2023. Michael Horodniceanu left a massive legacy of public and private achievements. His engineering and management skills and leadership as president of the MTA Capital Construction Company allowed the MTA to successfully complete the Number 7 extension and the Second Avenue subway.
Michael Horodniceanu was a cosmopolitan who traversed many worlds and languages. Born in 1944 in Bucharest, Romania, Michael and his family immigrated to Israel in 1960 where Michael finished high school and earn his bachelor’s degree from the Technion. Michael fought in the Six Day War before coming to the United States in 1970 where he earned his doctorate in engineering.
In a long career in New York City Michael was a successful consultant and entrepreneur, an active City traffic commissioner, and a professor of engineering. He had a buoyant charm, was known for his colorful bowties, and for his accented English, strong voice, and hearty laugh. He possessed shrewd political skills that complimented his brilliance as an engineer.
The Center for New York City Law was honored to have Michael Horodniceanu speak twice at our CityLaw Breakfasts. On the last occasion on April 6, 2017, Michael presented a guidebook of lessons learned in building the Second Avenue subway which he had just successfully opened four months earlier on December 31, 2016. His talk that day was a valedictory on his extraordinary work and leadership, and an intellectual legacy for the city on his insights and experience in building megaprojects. The talk may be viewed here.
We send condolences to Michael Horodniceanu’s wife Baci, his sons Oded and Eran, and their families. Michael Horodniceanu, Rest in peace.
Signed,
Ross Sandler, Professor of Law, Director of the Center for New York City Law, New York Law School