By Penny Laughlin Effective April 7, 2017, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) added a new section to the Rules of the City of New York (RCNY), which governs sign hanging. The amendment permits licensed sign hangers (Master Sign Hangers and Special Sign Hangers) to file applications for signs… View more
By Penny Laughlin The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) has added a new requirement for projects involving earthwork, or excavation, as of May 1, 2017. If you’ve done any excavation in the five boroughs, then you already know that the DOB requires contractors with earthwork permits to notify the… View more
By Frank Fortino This month we’re taking a closer look at the options and requirements of Affordable New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s replacement for the 421a tax abatement. The affordable New York housing program applies to eligible projects containing six or more units built during the following time frame: Construction commencement… View more
By Frank Fortino As the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) begins the challenge of revising the construction codes, the agency continues to develop and improve DOB NOW. Notably, as with the code revisions, DOB is now working with industry representatives to make the online filing process more effective. Here… View more
By Austin Regan To better protect the public and ensure good construction practices, the NYC DOB plan review has been created with several specialized inspection units. Areas of specialty include foundation/excavation and concrete placement—critical structural elements. In the past, inspection units were staffed with former construction workers, who would review approved… View more
By Robert Proffitt, R.A. A partnership with Kean University and Grimshaw has brought Metropolis Group out of the concrete jungle and into the bucolic woods of northern New Jersey. While many Metropolis projects involve challenges due to the population density in an urban environment, this engagement requires deft balance to create… View more
By George Crawford If you’re a permit expediter, then you know that commercial and residential building owners need to brace for the impending perfect storm—namely, higher NYC taxes and utilities, coupled with lower rents—heading straight for their bottom lines. While the protest period has already passed for the tax assessments issued… View more