Covid-19 – NYC and Long Island Construction Impact Update as of April 10, 2020

Lead Time Impacts from JLL Project & Development Services – Updated 4/10/20

 

Key Issues / Observations – Updated 4/10/20

Primary focus continues to be on health, safety and well-being of personnel. Expanded shelter-in-place and social distancing mandates have begun to impact availability of labor resources as well as manufacturing. Current supply is generally not a concern, however, future supply issues are expected.

  • Audio Visual: Some manufacturer products will experience slight delay. Installation and support efforts may be delayed due to client’s shutting down office space.
  • Ceiling Tiles/Drywall: Likely supply delays beginning in April
  • Flooring: Manufactures are NOT affected by any of the State of GA mandates as they are deemed essential business.
  • Furniture: Steelcase, Herman Miller, Teknion and Haworth will be closing manufacturing operations through April 17. They can process essential business orders.
  • Lighting: Potential supply chain delays starting in April and going through May, particularly LED drivers and Boards.
  • Signage: Site surveys and permit procurement will be delayed due to jobsite shutdowns.

Construction – Updated 4/3/20

  • Activity in the City and Boroughs has essentially stopped. In addition to Healthcare, essential projects have continued this week however the Virus is affecting Construction Labor and ultimately causing some projects that fall into the essential category – Affordable Housing, Utilities – to shut down. It is not across the board, however we’ve seen this in a few locations.
  • Activity on Long Island has essentially stopped. 
  • Landlords who deem their projects as essential – Broadcast, News Agencies – have successfully submitted applications to continue projects
  • The NYC DOB inspectors are issuing $10k Summonses for non-essential projects
  • Clients on many projects have begun funding their CM/GC general conditions while in the shutdown, to maintain their teams in place
  • We are starting to see smaller contractors take advantage of the loan opportunities contained in the Stimulus Package and specifically the CARE ACT. This enables them to maintain staff through the downtime and in those cases where the staff is not reimbursed by clients.
  • Union and Non-Union labor layoffs are extremely high as expected. Contractors are only maintaining critical staff and labor.

Schedules – Updated 4/3/20

  • The impact remains uncertain and dependent on the fallout and impact on the Labor force, Manufacturing and the availability of Materials
  • Site availability, Tenant holdovers on interior office projects are surfacing
  • Gaps in materials availability will elongate contractor involvement

Materials – Updated 4/3/20

  • ?Depending on the materials and size of each manufacturer we estimate the impact on schedules to vary
  • Local manufacturers shut down except for essential work and experiencing significant layoffs
  • Furniture dealers and manufacturers similar to above have begun layoffs 
  • Wherever possible, it is recommended orders be placed as soon as possible in order to be at the front of the queue when production resumes

Design – Updated 4/3/20

  • The overall process has been slowed by technology issues stemming from staff working remote
  • The permitting process on Long Island is sporadic based on the local AHJ ability to receive and approve permits. Please see list below. 
  • Layoffs of non-essential staff within local firms have begun to occur

Resources – New York City – Updated 4/6/20

  • Interactive map showing “essential” construction sites in NYC:
    https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/html/essential-active-construction.html

  • NYC Department of Buildings (DOB):
    • Remains open for business and primarily working remotely
    • Digital filings recommended; functional just requires additional administration by expeditors
    • Modest impact on review process
    • Physical inspections proceeding
  • Fire Department of New York (FDNY)
    • Working remotely
    • Filings being re-routed to staff residences
    • Physical inspections proceeding

Resources – Long Island Major Towns

  • Town of Huntington Updated 4/8/20
    • The Planning: Applications to be accepted by Fed-Ex (no signature) or by drop box
    • Building: Anticipated Applications to be accepted by Fed-Ex (no signature) or by drop box
    • Building Department staff are alternating two days per week.
    • Building Inspections limited/ongoing, 3rd Party Inspections per Town Form (Non-Final Inspections only)* 
    • Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals will be holding meetings remotely. All meeting audio will be live streamed on government access Optimum Ch. 18, Fios Ch. 38 and at www.huntingtonny.gov
    • Zone Boarding of Appeals will be meeting Tuesday April 7 @ 6pm to conduct administrative hearing on calendar matters.
    • Zoning Board of Appeals will also start an online process.
    • Planning Board will meet April 15 @ 6p and all public hearings are postponed.
  • Town of RiverheadUpdated 3/31/20. Closed to public. Only essential staff are present (Building Commissioner and Fire Marshal).  They do not have an end date for when staff will be back in the office. Note: The Building Department, Fire Protection and Planning Department are now accepting electronic (PDF) submission of new applications and material.

      • Department of Land Management: Effective immediately and until further notice, you may hand deliver paper material to our dropbox that is located outside the building located at 201 Howell Avenue. Please be advised, however, that the dropbox can only hold limited sized material. Mail from the United States Postal Service and private over-night service companies is still accepted at Town Hall.

        Note: The Building Department, Fire Protection and Planning Department are now accepting electronic (PDF) submission of new applications and material. Please read the details below for each department.

      • Building Department (Riverhead):
        • Communication – Communication through email is still continuing. A list of office assistants and inspectors, along with their contact information, can be found on the Town’s website. Simply click on their name to email the person you need to contact. All employees are checking their emails on a daily basis. Phone messages are being retrieved and returned on a regular basis.
        • New Applications – Effective immediately and until further notice, you may hand deliver paper material to our dropbox that is located outside the building located at 201 Howell Avenue. Please be advised, however, that the dropbox can only hold limited sized material. Large paper plans and application materials can only be mailed to us. Mail will be picked up on a daily basis. Applications and plans can also be emailed (PDF) to trojanowski@townofriverheadny.gov . Applications will be reviewed and processed on a limited basis. Paper copies of applications with original signatures and plans, signed and sealed, along with the correct application fee, will be required when the office opens.
        • Inspections – Building inspections have resumed on a limited basis. Please contact one of the office assistants listed on the Town’s website with your request. Inspections will be prioritized for essential services. All applications can be found on the Town’s website.

      • Fire Protection (Riverhead):
        • Communication – Communication through email is still continuing. A list of inspectors, along with their contact in?formation, can be found on the Town’s website. Simply click on their name to email the person you need to contact. Do not email or call Andrew Smith nor Laura Tague. All employees are checking their emails on a daily basis. Phone messages are being retrieved and returned on a regular basis.
        • New Applications – Effective immediately and until further notice, you may hand deliver paper material to our dropbox that is located outside the building located at 201 Howell Avenue. Please be advised, however, that the dropbox can only hold limited sized material. Large paper plans and application materials can only be mailed to us. Mail will be picked up on a daily basis. New applications will be reviewed and processed on a limited basis. All applications can be found on the Town’s website. Applications and plans can also be emailed (PDF) to zitek@townofriverheadny.gov. Applications will be reviewed and processed on a limited basis. Paper copies of applications with original signatures and plans, signed and sealed, along with the correct application fee, will be required when the office opens.
        • Inspections – Building inspections for new construction have resumed on a limited basis. Please email zitek@townofriverheadny.gov with your request. Inspections will be prioritized for essential services.

      • Planning Department (Riverhead):
        • Communication – Communication through email is still continuing. A list of staff, along with their contact information, can be found on the Town’s website. Simply click on their name to email the person you need to contact. All employees are checking their emails on a daily basis. Phone messages are being retrieved and returned on a regular basis.
        • New Applications – Effective immediately and until further notice, you may hand deliver paper material to our dropbox that is located outside the building located at 201 Howell Avenue. Please be advised, however, that the dropbox can only hold limited sized material. Large paper plans and application materials can only be mailed to us. Mail will be picked up on a daily basis. All applications can be found on the Town’s website. Applications and plans can also be emailed to collins@townofriverheadny.gov. Applications will be reviewed and processed on a limited basis. Paper copies of applications with original signatures and plans, signed and sealed, along with the correct application fee, will be required when the office opens. All inspections, unless deemed essential, are cancelled through March 31, 2020.
        • Meetings – All meetings in Town Hall are cancelled until March 31, 2020. These cancellations may be extended subject to the State of Emergency, so please check the Town website on when the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and all advisory committee meetings will be re-scheduled.
  • Town of North Hempstead – Updated 4/8/20
    • In the interest of preventing the spread of coronavirus and during this public health emergency, North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth has announced that all Town facilities including the Building Department be closed until Monday, April 20, 2020.

      The Building Department is open for transactions related to “Essential Business” and issuance of permits related to emergency repairs only.

      Pursuant to New York State Executive Order 202.6 only construction related to property or a business deemed an “Essential Business” may continue to move forward (medical facilities, pharmacies, etc) at this time. Any other business or construction activities being completed at a location that are not essential is subject to the Executive Order on mandatory workforce reduction.

      In light of the above, the Building Department will not be conducting business related to construction which does not meet the above criteria. Please be guided accordingly. We will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates on the Town of North Hempstead website once the executive orders have been lifted.

    • Planning Closed
  • Town of Oyster Bay – Updated 4/6/20 – Town closed until 4/15/20. Examiners are coming in to pick up plans to review at home. New applications can be submitted through U.S. Mail.
    • Planning: Applications to be accepted by Fed-Ex (no signature)
    • Building: Applications to be accepted by Fed-Ex (no signature)
    • No building inspections at this time, however, Engineer/Architect of Record Certifications to be accepted. Additionally, 3rdParty Inspections accepted provided preliminary affidavit of supervision has been filed with DOB*
    • Planning Board Next Meeting – April 21, 2020 at 10a
    • The meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2020 is cancelled. This meeting will be rescheduled and new hearing notices will be sent to the required surrounding properties indicating the new date.
  • Town of Islip – Updated 4/8/20
    • Planning: Applications to be submitted by appointment only – submission to Planning Staff to take place outside of Town Hall
    • Engineering: Applications to be accepted by Fed-Ex (no signature) or by drop box;
    • Building: Applications to be accepted by Fed-Ex (no signature) or by drop box
    • Building Inspections ongoing*
  • Town of Smithtown – Updated 4/8/20
    • The Planning Department: A drop box has been placed inside the vestibule where to safely submit plans and applications. If you require the services of the Planning
      Department, please call ahead or email your questions. Email: planning@SmithtownNY.gov. Phone: 631-360-7540 Fax: 631-360-7546.

    • The Building Department: A drop box for applications has been placed inside the building lobby. Please include a contact phone number and email before drop off so a department
      representative can properly process the application. For Pick Ups: Please call the Building Department upon arrival (in the parking lot) for pickup or the collection of documents (Plans, Certificate of Occupancy/Compliance, letter of history etc.)
      For any questions or services, please call the Building Department first (631) 360-7520 Fax:
      (631) 360-7639 buildingmail@smithtownny.govPlanning: Applications to be accepted by Fed-Ex (no signature) or by drop box
    • Board of Zoning Appeals: Meetings in April will be postponed until a later date
    • Planning Board: Meetings in April will be postponed until a later date
  • Town of Babylon – Update 4/8/20
    • Planning: Applications to be accepted by Fed-Ex (no signature) or by drop box
    • Building: Applications to be accepted by Fed-Ex (no signature) or by drop box, Building Inspections limited/ongoing
    • Planning and Zoning Board meetings scheduled for this week are canceled. Additional information will be posted when available.
  • Town of HempsteadUpdated 4/6/20
    • The Building/Planning: Applications to be accepted by Fed-Ex (no signature) with a Filing Fee or by lobby from 10am-2pm
    • Building Inspections ongoing (Exterior ONLY)*
    • Permit approval can take from 1-4 months. 
    • Building Inspectors can be reached by phone at (516) 812-3088 from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM, prior to their field inspections.
    • Plumbing Inspectors can be reached by phone at (516) 812-3126 from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM, prior to their field inspections.
    • Zoning Inspectors can be reached by phone at (516) 812-3052 or (516) 812-3115 or (516) 812-3107 from 9 AM to 10:30 AM, prior to their field inspections.
    • Plans Examiners can be reached by phone at (516) 812-3073 from 9 AM to 12 noon. When making an appointment with a Plans Examiner, you must call one day prior to the day you wish to be seen.
  • Town of Brookhaven – Updated 4/8/20
    • Accepting commercial applications online, as well as drop off.  
    • Fire Marshal only hard copy.  
    • Fed-Ex accepted (no signature) or hard copy drop off via drop box setup.
    • https://www.brookhavenny.gov/284/Building-Division
    • The April 6 Planning Board Meeting has been adjourned until April 27. 

Other Long Island Agencies

  • Suffolk County Dept. of Health – Pick & Drop off only
  • Nassau County Dept. of Public Works – Pick & Drop off only
    • Sewer Map Requests are on hold until 4/15/2020
  • Nassau County Fire Marshal – Pick & Drop off only
  • Nassau County Dept. of Health – Pick & Drop off only
  • Suffolk County Water Authority – Pick & Drop off only

Risk Assessment

  • Highest risk: procurement and construction
  • Medium risk: design, documentation
  • Low risk: transitioning, planning and closing

 


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