AIANY Welcomes New Policy Coordinator

AIANY is pleased to introduce Justin Pascone, the Chapter’s new Policy Coordinator! Before taking the position this July, Justin worked in the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office and at the Goldhirsh Foundation over the past two years. He recently graduated from the USC Price School of Public Policy with a Masters in Urban Planning, focused on design and public health in low-income communities.

As policy coordinator for AIANY, Justin will continue to identify, advocate, and develop consensus on specific policy issues of importance to AIANY and its members. Working closely with the AIANY Board of Directors, Executive Committee, chapter committees and members, Justin is excited to strengthen and coordinate AIANY’s governmental relationships at the local, state, and national level.  In addition, he will help communicate AIANY’s positions and policy-related messages to the Chapter’s members, allied professionals, and the public at large.

If you have a question about a policy position, or if you have an advocacy issue that the AIANY should be aware of, do not hesitate to contact Justin at jpascone@aiany.org or 212-358-6116.

We wish former Policy Coordinator Emma Pattiz the best of luck in her pursuit of a Masters in Urban Planning from Harvard GSD.

Pulse Points

• The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) proposed to introduce a fee of $1,000 for determinations and $2,500 for appeals for ZRD1 and CCD1 pre‐determinations and determinations. AIANY, in collaboration with the Architects Council of New York and the New York State Society of Professional Engineers, voiced concern about DOB’s proposal. AIANY will continue to work with DOB and keep members updated.
• AIANY attended the national “SpeakUp” advocacy and action event in Washington, DC, 07.13-15.16. AIA members from across the country gathered to explore opportunities to engage in the electoral and legislative process at national, state, and local level. AIANY Executive Director Ben Prosky, President Carol Loewenson and President-elect David Piscuskas met with representatives from New York Senators Kristen Gillibrand and Charles Schumer’s office to discuss our legislative agenda.
•  City Hall officials report that Mayor Bill de Blasio’s ambitious housing plan is ahead of schedule. So far, City Hall has financed 52,936 units of low- to moderate-income housing since de Blasio took office, enough housing for about 130,000 New Yorkers. One third of the total, or 17,341 of the financed units, will be new construction. The rest will be preservation of existing apartments.
• The new NYC and NYS energy codes will go into effect on 10.03.16. Any projects filing after that date will need to comply. AIANY is hosting a number of the Urban Green Council’s “Conquer the Code” training courses to help architects and engineers. Find dates and registration information here.
•  The New York City Council legislature is out of session from 07.15.16 until 08.18.16.