DOT, DEP, and DDC Finish $4.7 Million Infrastructure and Sidewalk Renovation Project in Westerleigh, Staten Island

On February 27, 2024, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), and NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced the completion of an infrastructure project in Westerleigh, Staten Island. The project upgraded water mains and sanitary sewers, added new storm sewers and improved roads and sidewalks. The entire project cost the City $4.7 million which was $1 million less than predicted and the project was finished on time.


City Selects Two Companies to Redesign Sidewalk Sheds as Part of City’s ‘Get Sheds Down’ Plan

On February 29, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams, Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo, and Mayor’s Office of Contract Services Director Lisa Flores announced the selection of two companies to redesign scaffolding sheds as part of the “Get Sheds Down” plan to improve sidewalk sheds. The companies, Arup US and Practice for Architecture and Urbanism, will work on six new designs to provide contractors with cost-effective options.


City Imposes Two-Year Facade Inspecting Ban for Engineer Following December Partial Building Collapse in the Bronx

On February 22, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams and the Department of Buildings announced an agreement for a two-year suspension for a professional engineer to conduct facade inspections following the December 2023 partial collapse of 1915 Billingsley Terrace in the Bronx. Several families lost their apartments, although there fortunately were no fatalities or serious injuries.


DOB Announces Penalties for Over 400 Property Owners for Late Parking Structure Report Submissions

On January 18, 2024, the Department of Buildings announced that over 400 property owners had received initial penalties for failing to submit required engineering inspection reports for parking structures located on their properties. Through the Periodic Inspection for Parking Structure (PIPS) program, 1,056 properties in Lower Manhattan, Midtown, and the Upper West Side were required to submit inspection reports to the Department of Buildings before January 1, 2024. 


City Announces Completion of Transportation, Infrastructure Upgrades Along Pelham Parkway in the Bronx

On December 27, 2023, the Department of Design and Construction, Department of Transportation and the Department of Environmental Protection announced the completion of the second and final phase of reconstruction along Pelham Parkway in the Bronx. The project was managed by Design and Construction for Transportation and Environmental Protection.


License revoked for fatal injury

General contractor with riggers license violated multiple Building Code provisions on construction job where worker fell from unpermitted scaffolding. Wayne Bellet contracted to perform brick façade work on a six-story building located at 880 St. Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan. Bellet commenced the brick façade work after his subcontractor constructed a 50-foot-tall supported scaffold and Bellet. On June 22, 2019, a worker fell off the supported scaffold at the location and died.