2026 NYBC Annual Report

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR AND PRESIDENT & CEO

Our industry has excelled so far this year in securing big wins to ensure maximum productivity, economic development, and job creation. From demanding and obtaining federal funding for groundbreaking projects like the Gateway Program, to a new Penn Station plan approval, to statewide environmental review reforms, and a new mayoral administration keen on housing development, New York is poised for its next big building boom.

Our 500+ members will be leading figures in that growth and prosperity. For 105 years, Building Congress members have always been vital to the success of New York, even guiding it back to greatness after its darkest moments. It is encouraging, then, to be able to say that this Annual Report, looking back at Fiscal Year 2025, shows us heading for brighter times. The state of our organization is as strong as it’s ever been. Our events routinely sell out, and for good reason: They feature the best our industry has to offer, and allow members to network and grow their businesses. Our advocacy across all levels of governments has expanded to the point that the organization opened the doors this year on its first office outside New York City in our state capital of Albany.

Together with our members, the Building Congress will continue to push for the tools needed to unlock a more accessible, equitable and resilient New York.
But it doesn’t end there. We see the success our industry has had – and only want more. And when the challenges of uncertainty come our way, as they inevitably do, the Building Congress will be out front to work toward the solutions our members need for continued success.

Working together, we can ensure that the roll New York has been on lately continues apace. Much like the rebirth of downtown after September 11, we may not recognize the landscape of our city and state in another 25 years. And that would be the biggest sign our work paid off.

VISION

The New York Building Congress will lead the building industry – and the people who work within it – toward a more equitable, prosperous, and resilient future in New York and beyond.

MISSION STATEMENT

The New York Building Congress provides a unique forum to advance an industry-wide agenda that strengthens New York’s built environment. It does so by facilitating the collaboration of diverse stakeholders and communities, with a focus on economic and infrastructure development, job creation and professional exchange.

On behalf of more than 500 constituent organizations comprising more than 250,000 skilled tradespeople and professionals, the Building Congress supports sound public policy, promotes productive capital spending, encourages public/private partnerships and evaluates the implementation of major government projects.

To foster relationships and cooperation, the Building Congress sponsors consensus-building activities and encourages a free exchange of ideas among leaders of industry associations, businesses and the public sector.

The Building Congress promotes competence and productivity in the workplace, with special emphasis on public service, teamwork and partnership with government. Members are encouraged to conduct business with honesty, integrity, and a spirit of fair competition.

ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES

Advocacy
Civic-Mindedness
Collaboration & Cooperation
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Innovation
Member Support
Sustainability & Resiliency

105 YEARS: BUILDING ON A LEGACY

Our Rich History

In 2021, the New York Building Congress celebrated its Centennial. Over the previous 100 years, the organization grew from 25 members to now representing over 500. The Building Congress has always been the leading voice of the building industry, supporting impactful public policy, encouraging public private partnerships, and promoting an innovative future for New York.

Our Bright Future

The Building Congress will continue to advocate for our members, our industry, and our city and state.

We expanded our horizons this year by opening our first ever office outside New York City in our state capital of Albany. Advocacy is at the core of what we do, and the progress that results from it is why we do it: for our members, our industry, and the residents of New York.

MEMBERS BY SECTOR

BUILDING CONGRESS BY THE NUMBERS

ETHICS & RESPONSIBILITY

The New York Building Congress promotes the interests of the greater building community of New York City and its environs through the membership of individuals, companies and organizations, including contractors, architects, engineers, unions, real estate managers, developers, owners and associations. The Building Congress supports the growth and success of the construction industry and the responsible development of the region and strives to maintain and broaden the public’s confidence in the construction industry.

The Building Congress involves a membership dedicated to honesty, integrity, and fair dealing. This Statement of Ethics and Responsibility expresses the particular commitments expected of Building Congress membership. Membership in the Building Congress is voluntary. By accepting membership, a member commits to adhere to the principles set forth in this Statement.

Members shall conduct all their business in an honest and ethical manner, abiding the requirements of laws and regulations.
Members are committed to refraining from any act discreditable to the industry. Consistent with this commitment, members shall not:
- knowingly violate laws and regulations;
- knowingly offer false testimony to any governmental or other regulatory body or official;
- offer or make any payment or gift to a public official, or a person employed by a potential customer or client, with the intent of influencing the recipient’s judgment in connection with an existing or prospective project in which the member is interested;
- accept payment or gifts that are intended to influence their judgment in the case of members serving in a public capacity or representing the interests of their employer;
- knowingly allow unsafe practices that could jeopardize the safety, health and welfare of workers or the public; and
- knowingly allow practices that discriminate against individuals or companies based upon race, gender, age, creed, sexual orientation or national origin.
Members are responsible for adherence to this Statement.
Members should embrace the spirit and letter of the law governing their professional affairs and should promote and serve the public interest in their personal and professional activities.
Organizational members are free to set standards applicable to them.

WHY THE BUILDING CONGRESS?

Help forge a common agenda for New York City’s building industry, working with the overall design, construction, and real estate community.
Participate on committees and task forces and in special events involving industry leaders and public officials of diverse backgrounds and experience.
Support political action on industry-impacting issues, including increased infrastructure investment, streamlined procurement, and major rezonings and other strategic economic development initiatives.
Receive timely communications on member news, networking events, policy and legislative updates, and information on current and future market conditions and emerging trends affecting the industry.
Identify with one of the city’s largest industries and a vital economic engine for growth.

NEW MEMBER BENEFITS

One guest invitation to a Construction Industry Breakfast.
Highlighted listings in the Building Congress Membership Directory, Building Beat, and on buildingcongress.com.
An invitation to Member Appreciation Events.

ANNUAL DUES | MEMBERSHIP LEVELS | MEMBERSHIP LISTING

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EVENTS

The Building Congress hosted a full calendar of events throughout 2025, bringing together industry leaders, public officials, and members to address the issues shaping New York’s built environment.

The year began with the Annual Membership Meeting & Construction Industry Luncheon, where we released our 2025 Policy Agenda and welcomed remarks from NYC Deputy Mayor of Operations Meera Joshi, followed by a panel discussion featuring Carlo A. Scissura, Jim Whelan, and Kathy Wylde.

Our Construction Industry Breakfast series featured keynote presentations and discussions with Gateway Development Commission CEO Tom Prendergast, MTA Chair & CEO Janno Lieber, Deputy Mayor Adolfo Carrion, Jr., City Planning Director Dan Garodnick, NYS Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, and Amtrak Special Advisor Andy Byford. The July breakfast focused on housing and economic development, while the October breakfast marked the release of the New York City Construction Outlook 2025–2027.

More than 720 guests attended the 104th Anniversary Leadership Awards Luncheon, honoring Lorraine Grillo and Cyrus Izzo as Guests of Honor, David Arena with the Jack and Lewis Rudin Award for Service to New York City, and the Gilbane-Turner Joint Venture with the Building the Future Award for the New Highmark Stadium project. Governor Kathy Hochul delivered special remarks and presented the Building the Future Award.

Members also gathered throughout the year at the Membership Appreciation Reception at Brookfield Properties’ new space at 2 Manhattan West and the annual Golf & Tennis Outing at Westchester Country Club, where the live auction raised more than $17,000 for the New York Building Foundation.

The year concluded with the Industry Recognition Gala, welcoming more than 900 attendees to celebrate the accomplishments of New York’s building and construction industry. The event honored Joseph Ienuso, Thomas Iovino, Regina Myer with the George A. Fox Public Service Award, and the Gateway Development Commission, which received the Building the Future Award. The evening concluded with a Young Professionals After Party.

ADVOCACY

The New York Building Congress is the leading voice for the building and construction industries, helping to shape the built environment of our region and beyond. We bring together architects, engineers, contractors, developers, owners, consultants, labor and everyone in between. We navigate challenges and seize opportunities, consistently supporting initiatives to foster growth, drive job creation and create a stronger economy for all New Yorkers.

This year we have been laser-focused on ensuring a robust Surface Transportation Reauthorization, which funds America’s roads, bridges, transit, rail transportation, and highway and motor carrier safety programs. With the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act sunsetting in September, its replacement is crucial for funding vital projects and repairs, stewarded by the expertise of our members, to rebuild our aging infrastructure. 2027 will bring a new Congress, which means new relationships to build and partnerships to forge. The Building Congress welcomes such challenges, as we continue to advocate for the tools our members need to build us forward.

AGENDA

Federal

NYBC supports advancing H.R. 8870 as the House’s five-year surface transportation reauthorization vehicle. The bill maintains a strong formula funding structure for New York transit, and Congress should preserve that approach in any final package. NYBC also supports strengthening the bill with robust transit and passenger rail investment, practical project delivery reforms, and stable Highway Trust Fund revenue.
Kickstart the Federal Infrastructure Bank to guarantee continued investment in nationwide infrastructure. The bank is intended to provide equity investments, direct loans, and loan guarantees for the planning, predevelopment, design, construction, operation, or maintenance of infrastructure projects in the United States.
Streamline Reviews: Reforms the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to expedite reviews for infrastructure projects.
Begin planning and design work on the Army Corps of Engineers’ proposed system of storm surge protections along coastal areas from Upper Manhattan to Jamaica Bay.

State

Ensure a streamlined rollout of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan
Improve and fine-tune the State’s 485x program so that it creates the scale of unit growth we need to tackle our housing crisis.
Support statewide legislation and citywide rezonings that encourage transit-oriented development.
Improve access to more flexible project delivery methods such as progressive design-build, CM-Build and CM-at-Risk.
Establish a Direct Renewable Energy Fund to shift funding from utility ratepayers to a financed renewable fund in the state budget.
Create a streamlined one stop-shop for all M/WBE procurements.

City

Encourage robust and ongoing capital spending within the city’s capital commitment plan.
Expand mixed-use zoning, including deepening zoning exemptions within special transit land use districts and eliminate parking minimums.
Flexible zoning to allow aging healthcare facilities to grow as needed to meet modern standards.
Clarify that transitional housing falls under the affordable housing exemption for LL97.
Protect our environment by investing in renewable energy transmission infrastructure upgrades, energy storage systems, and decarbonized steam.
Streamline permit approvals, invoice payments, and change order processes across all citywide procurement agencies.

PRIORITY PROJECTS

Transform Midtown West:
- The Gateway Program
- Penn Station Redevelopment
- New Port Authority Bus Terminal
New Terminals at JFK & Newark Airports
Phase 2 of the 2nd Ave. Subway
The Interborough Express (IBX)
MTA Station Accessibility

2026 NYBC Annual Report