Department of Design and Construction Logo Image Credit: DDC

The Department of Design and Construction has been able to complete capital projects quicker while still adhering to budgets and utilizing Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise while under COVID-19 contracting rules. On March 30, 2021, the New York City Department of Design and Construction released a report on how construction under the less restrictive procurement and contracting rules put in place due to the pandemic has helped to complete City capital projects much quicker than normal. The report, entitled DDC 2020: Delivering Innovation In A Challenging Year, explains how the Department was able to use alternative construction methods normally not available. (more…)

Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver Image Credit: John McCarten

After a seven-year tenue, Commissioner Mitchell J Silver is stepping down in the late spring or early summer of 2021. On March 9, 2021, the Department of Parks and Recreation announced the coming departure of their Commissioner, Mitchell J. Silver. Commissioner Silver has served as the Commissioner since May 2014. He is the fourth longest serving Commissioner of the Parks Department. Commissioner Silver spent his seven-year tenure reforming and updating the park system through over 800 different capital projects. (more…)

Adult entertainment businesses continue their decades-long fight against zoning rules that restrict business locations. In the latest installment in the City’s efforts to restrict adult entertainment establishments, a federal court enjoined enforcement of the City’s zoning resolution. This is the latest court action in a series of actions that began in 1994. (more…)

Mayor de Blasio signs Executive Order 59 on July 28, 2020. Image Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

The City awarded over $3 billion in contracts to minority and women-owned businesses in FY19. The City is On July 28, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Executive Order 59 to increase the City’s utilization of Minority and Women-Owned Businesses (M/WBEs), and also announced numerous programs with the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity that will connect Black and Latinx entrepreneurs to business opportunities. (more…)

NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer. Image credit: Office of the New York City Comptroller

Eighty-five percent of the survey respondents expect to go out of business within six months. On July 10, 2020, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer released a comprehensive analysis of the economic hardships minority and women-owned enterprises (M/WBEs) are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the survey findings, Comptroller Stringer announced new accountability measures to ensure the City is meeting its M/WBE goals. (more…)