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BTEANews I n t e g r i t y • V a l u e • S a f e t y
Louis Coletti President and CEO Building Trades Employers’ Association
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
A s we begin 2 0 1 3 , we can be certain of two things. The first is uncertainty. The other is that whatever happens, the BTEA and its members will face that uncertainty together. As we have weathered these last few difficult years, I have thought at times about how much business is like nature. Darwin said, “It is not the strongest or the most intelligent of species that survives—it is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” When there is uncertainty and change, knowledge and communication are powerful tools in determining what future course of action any BTEA contractor or association should take to ensure their continued success. In establishing the goals and objectives for the BTEA for 2013, the Executive Committee has decided the BTEA’s most important responsibility to its members is to foster knowledge and communication between them as we navigate our way through these uncertain times. In closing, I want to sincerely thank the membership for your support and participation in making the BTEA the successful organization it is today and I am asking for you to continue that support and participation as we face the challenges that lie ahead for us in 2013 together.
Edith Hsu-Chen, New York City Department of Planning
David Pinter, BTEA Co-Chairman
BTEA Annual Meeting Features Address On Mayor’s Midtown Zoning Proposal The BTEA’s Board of Governors recently heard Edith Hsu-Chen, Director of the Manhattan Office for the New York City Department of Planning, detail the city’s proposed plans for the rezoning of the East Midtown office area centered around Grand Central Terminal. The area contains some of Manhattan’s most recognizable office structures, which in many cases are 70 years or older. These older structures have lower floor to ceiling heights and numerous columns, which are undesirable to Class A tenants who are increasingly looking for open space plans. According to Ms. Hsu-Chen, the city’s proposal focuses new office development with the greatest as-ofright densities on large sites with full block frontage on the streets around Grand Central Terminal and with lower densities along the Park Avenue Corridor. The rezoning proposal, if eventually approved by City Council, would likely result in considerable redevelopment in midtown Manhattan and ensuing construction activity in the coming years. The BTEA will continue to monitor this Bloomberg Administration proposal and will keep the BTEA membership apprised of future developments regarding this matter.