Embracing the Opportunity to Build a Brighter Future

By Frank Fortino
Happy New Year, everyone!

Here we are, starting our third year in a pandemic. As we continue to face the challenges of COVID, while trying to balance personal lives with families and friends with professional responsibilities, the psychological strain is taking a toll on all of us.

Normally, our January newsletter highlights the latest and greatest developments in our industry, including updates and new policies and procedures. This year, you’re getting all that, plus more. Specifically, we’d like to share what is happening here at Metropolis Group.

Why? Well, while it’s very tempting to focus on the hardships and issues we’re facing, I wanted to take a moment to focus on some good things coming from our firm and to share my personal experience.

Safeguarding Physical and Mental Health

At no time have I ever placed anyone within my firm or our clients in any jeopardy. When we reopened our offices, we prioritized health and safety by closely monitoring and implementing the guidelines issued by the CDC. More importantly, however, all the Metropolis team members—including myself— have exercised vigilance in maintaining a holistically healthy workplace.

Beyond masking and sanitizing, we have worked together to create a positive, supportive environment that safeguards our ability to remain mentally strong and physically healthy. We as a firm have promoted this mindset to mitigate the possibility of depression, and the resulting increase in confidence continues to pay dividends.

In both 2020 and 2021, we celebrated the holidays with a firmwide Christmas party. We all gathered in a very comfortable and safe environment and enjoyed each other’s company. These events offered an opportunity for us to give thanks for what we created as an organization and to celebrate the many blessings in our lives.

Teamwork and Partnerships

At the 2022 gathering, everyone received gifts, and we recognized Manager of the Year Joe Bastone and Employee of the Year Hope Denon, both of whom were very surprised. It was a privilege to continue this honor started by the company eight years ago. Beyond the special prizes, the winners enjoy the respect and appreciation of their peers, who select each year’s honorees. I am very proud of the camaraderie and mutual admiration among the team members at Metropolis Group, who work so hard for the collective success of the organization.

I am also very proud of all the employees who have stepped up and helped our clients move projects forward. Despite ongoing uncertainty, the men and women at Metropolis have embraced each challenge that came their way, always identifying creative solutions to help clients achieve their goals.

In this same spirit of partnership, our firm has cultivated alliances with key organizations to better serve our clients. We are working closely with OnePoint Real Estate Group, led by Kristen Fortino, which offers multifaceted expertise to residential property owners and buyers. We have also partnered with the CASA Group, environmental, health, and safety consultants who provide site safety plans and tenant protection plans, in addition to performing special inspections and asbestos investigations. These relationships extend the ways in which we can meet client needs.

A Brighter Future

Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, we at Metropolis have taken this time to build a stronger and healthier organization. I want to thank all of you—our employees, our clients, and our friends—for your support and your contributions to making this happen.

We will continue to work hard to ensure the success of your projects by staying abreast of Department of Buildings and New York City Fire Department developments throughout this unusual time.

I wish you all the very healthiest and happiest New Year imaginable.