NYC Council Member James Vacca, Deputy Mayor for Operations Cas Holloway, Tishman Construction, NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC), and NYC Small Business Services (SBS) today convened an information session on construction jobs and opportunities for the Public Safety Answering Center II (PSAC II) for Bronx residents and firms. Presenters included Deputy Mayor Cas Holloway, Council Member James Vacca, Jay Badame (President, Tishman Construction Corporation of NY), Dale Peterson (Project Executive, PSAC II, DDC), and Assistant Commissioner Gregg Bishop (SBS, M/WBE Capacity Building Services). The information session provided employment and subcontracting information to dozens of prospective applicants throughout the afternoon and early evening, which targeted local construction workers, minority and women-owned businesses, and Bronx residents.
The event was held at the Hutchinson Metro Center and brought together representatives from a variety of organizations including prime contractors, union-approved apprentice programs, and a number of New York City agencies including DDC, SBS and NYCHA. These representatives were on hand to speak to Bronx jobseekers as well as M/WBE firms interested in learning how to become a subcontractor on this project.
PSAC II construction began in March 2010, with construction expected to continue through June of 2015. The construction of this 500,000 square foot facility is expected to yield hundreds of jobs and dozens of subcontracting opportunities. Once completed, PSAC II will serve as one of the City’s two primary 9-1-1 operations centers. In the event of a 9-1-1 outage at one call center, calls will be diverted to the other facility. This redundancy was identified as critical to City and national security in the aftermath of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.
“I wanted to make sure that people living and working near PSAC II knew about the job opportunities available there,” said Council Member James Vacca. “It’s very important to me that Bronx residents get first crack at these jobs, since PSAC II is going up in our backyard. This jobs information session was a priority for me, and I hope that a lot of residents found it helpful.”
“PSAC II is a critical public safety project that will ensure that the City can respond to New Yorkers’ needs,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Cas Holloway. “By encouraging as many firms as possible to compete to participate in the construction of PSAC II, we will ensure that City taxpayers get the best product for the best price, and that all firms with the capacity to do this work—including thousands of minority- and women-owned businesses throughout the five boroughs—can compete to win.”
“This new call center will be a vital upgrade to the City’s emergency-response system and will provide significant opportunities for job seekers and businesses here in the Bronx. What’s more, through this project DDC and its fellow agencies are making major improvements to the surrounding landscape and infrastructure, including a new street, new storm drainage systems, a new water main to make the area’s water supply more reliable, and upgrades to nearby parkland and pathways. PSACII is one of the largest and most complex public construction projects in the City and represents a significant investment in the borough. We at DDC are excited to help make Bronx residents and businesses aware of the many opportunities being generated by this important project,” said DDC Commissioner David Burney.
“Our Workforce1 Centers and NYC Business Solutions Centers provide free services to jobseekers and businesses in the Bronx and citywide,” said Rob Walsh, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “We look forward to connecting even more Bronx jobseekers and minority and women-owned businesses with information on our services and opportunities available through the PSAC II project.”
"We at Tishman Construction are committed to involving as many local and M/WBE businesses, and workers from the community, as possible in the construction of NYC's PSAC II project," says Jay Badame, President of Tishman Construction Corporation of NY. "The employment and contracting information outreach event will significantly help in advancing these objectives."
“We are happy to offer Bronx companies access to major contracting opportunities like the Public Safety Answering Call Center II. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce provides businesses with technical assistance to better compete for these opportunities and can help Bronx businesses make New York City their best customer. We can help certify eligible companies and guide them in navigating government contracting. We must keep economic development in the Bronx and foster financial growth for our borough,” said Lenny Caro, President & CEO of The Bronx Chamber of Commerce.
About NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC)
The Department of Design and Construction (DDC) builds many of the civic facilities New Yorkers use every day, as well as vital infrastructure projects throughout the five boroughs. As the City’s primary capital construction project manager, we provide communities with new or renovated facilities, such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, courthouses, and senior centers. To manage this more than $6 billion portfolio, we partner with other City agencies and with emerging and world-renowned architects and consultants, whose experience and creativity bring efficient, innovative, and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to the projects we build. What’s more, DDC delivers well-built roadway, sewer, and water main construction projects in communities throughout the city. Over the last decade, we have completed more than 500 miles of new roadway, 600 miles of water mains, 400 miles of storm and sanitary sewers, and installed more than 42,000 sidewalk pedestrian ramps – all of which are essential for a vibrant city like New York. For more information, please visit http://www.nyc.gov/DDC.
About the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS)
The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) makes it easier for businesses in New York City to start, operate, and expand by providing direct assistance to business owners, fostering neighborhood development in commercial districts, and linking employers to a skilled and qualified workforce. For more information on all of SBS’ services go to nyc.gov.
About Tishman Construction Corporation and AECOM
Founded in 1898, Tishman Construction Corporation (www.tishmanconstruction.com) is one of the world's leading builders, currently managing construction for the 1,776-foot-high One World Trade Center and the Javits Convention Center expansion and renovation in New York, and the new headquarters for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C.
Known for successfully managing the complexities of construction, innovative approaches to building, historic restoration, and sustainable-building leadership, Tishman is responsible for the construction of more than 450 million square feet of space, incorporating facilities of every size and type, including arts and culture, commercial, convention centers, education, gaming, government, healthcare, hospitality, residential, retail, sports and leisure, technology and transportation.
In July 2010, Tishman merged with AECOM, a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government. With approximately 45,000 employees around the world, AECOM is a leader in all of the key markets that it serves. AECOM provides a blend of global reach, local knowledge, innovation, and technical excellence in delivering solutions that create, enhance and sustain the world's built, natural and social environments. A Fortune 500 company, AECOM serves clients in more than 130 countries and had revenue of $8.1 billion during the 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2011. More information on AECOM and its services can be found at www.aecom.com.
Attached Photo, from left to right:
Lenny Caro, President & CEO, Bronx Chamber of Commerce; Jay Badame, President, Tishman Construction Corporation of New York; Gregg Bishop, Assistant Commissioner, NYC Small Business Services; Deputy Mayor for Operations Cas Holloway; Council Member James Vacca; Joe Kelleher, President, Hutchinson Metro Center; Dale Peterson, PSAC II Project Executive, NYC Department of Design and Construction.