DOB Proposes Creation of Major Projects Development Program
By Brian Lafferty
To support continued economic recovery, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) recently announced a proposal for a development consultation program for the city’s largest construction projects. The Major Projects Development Program would be available to owners of proposed new buildings of 20 stories or more, as well as to developers of other large, complex projects.
The goal is to improve the safety and efficiency on these complex work sites by increasing collaboration from project planning through sign-off. “By expanding our consultation model and creating true wrap-around service in the development process for these large, complex projects, we can spur New York City’s recovering economy by helping turn lines on paper into shovels in the ground,” said DOB Commissioner Melanie La Rocca.
Major Projects Development Program
Participants in the voluntary program would pay consulting fees to the DOB for support and guidance throughout the development process. The personalized consultation services would be provided by a Major Projects Development Unit at every stage of the project cycle:
- Zoning and Code compliance planning
- Filing, permits, and occupancy phases
- Construction operations, including site safety and public safety
- Certificate of Occupancy (CO) issuance, both temporary and final
Proposed Participation Requirements
The current proposal would open the program to the following types of projects:
- New buildings of at least 20 stories
- New building projects of 500,000 square feet or more
- Building enlargements of at least 100,000 square feet
- Other complex projects, at DOB discretion
DOB plans to limit acceptance to the program on a first-come, first-serve basis, and continued enrollment will require ongoing communication with the DOB and compliance with agency directives.
Public Hearing Scheduled for November 22
Created under the DOB’s rule-making process, the Major Projects Development Program requires public input. The agency has scheduled an online public hearing for the program at 11:00 a.m. on November 22, 2021. Participants may join online or by phone.
The agency has published the full text of the proposed rule.
To discuss how this proposed program could affect your projects, please contact Metropolis Group at 212.233.6344.