by: Adam Roberts
As total hospitalizations due to COVID-19 continue to decline, Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio have begun preparing the City and State for a gradual reopening in the coming weeks, including for the construction industry.
At the City level, Mayor de Blasio has created several Sector Advisory Councils to provide input on returning to normal business practices. Architecture is included within the Real Estate Advisory Council, which includes two AIA New York members: Hana Kassem, AIA, LEED AP BC+C, of Kohn Pedersen Fox and Laura Ettelman, AIA, of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. The council includes representatives from other parts of the industry as well, such as general contractors, developers, and tradespeople.
Statewide, New York is taking major steps towards reopening. The Governor has listed construction as an industry to open in phase one. These reopenings are occurring at different times in different regions across the state, with parts of Upstate opening first. Construction, along with other restarted industries, will proceed under strict guidelines. Read more about the State’s reopening policies and procedures here.
As New York City moves towards reopening, we will keep our members notified of how these policy changes affect architects and related professionals. At this time, it is still unknown when non-essential construction will resume in the City, though it is fortunate that our industry will be among the first to benefit.
On the subject of reopening, AIANY has also organized a program to help firms prepare. Join us for HR Advice for Architects Part II: Reopening the Office in the Era of COVID-19 on Wednesday, May 20, from 2-3 pm.