A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF SKYLINE RESTORATION
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LUCKY 13!
VOLUME ELEVEN
SUMMER2021
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kyline Restoration’s 13th S Annual Charitable Golf Classic raises funds and spirits while celebrating RAP4Bronx’s first year and over 1.5 million meals distributed. p4
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The Relief Access Program for The Bronx offers free farmers markets with fresh produce and Health Bucks throughout the summer. p8
Skyline Restoration adds Industrial Rope Access (IRA) to its portfolio to provide an added and enhanced service to its clients and the industry . p10
Skyline Introduces Skyline Access Industrial Rope Access Specialists
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NEW LICENSE APPLICATIONS MUST SUBMIT THROUGH DOB NOW
KATHY C. HOCHUL: THE FIRST FEMALE GOVERNOR OF NY (Reuters) - On August 24, and upon Andrew Cuomo's resignation as governor of New York, lieutenant governor Kathy Hochul became the first woman to lead the state in its 233-year history. Hochul, a former Democratic congresswoman who has served as lieutenant governor since 2015 and has described herself as an "independent Democrat", took over from Cuomo until his third fouryear term in office ends in December 2022. Here are some facts about Kathy Hochul: • C uomo asked Hochul, a rising star in the Democratic Party, to join the gubernatorial ticket in 2014 after the then-lieutenant governor, Robert Duffy, announced he would not seek another term. Cuomo and Hochul won in 2014 and then again in 2018. • In her role as lieutenant governor, Hochul chairs 10 economic development councils that invest in projects across the state. She co-chairs a task force to combat heroin and opioid abuse, and also led Cuomo's "Enough is Enough" campaign in 2015 to combat sexual assault on college campuses. • Hochul was born in the western New York city of Buffalo in 1958. The daughter of working-class parents, she is the second-oldest of six children. She is married to William Hochul, who served as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of New York from 2010 to 2016. They have two children. • She graduated from Syracuse University in 1980 and earned her law degree from Catholic University in Washington in 1984. • After a stint at a Washington law firm, Hochul worked as a legal and legislative aide to John LaFalce, a congressman from New York, and then to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a towering political figure in the state. During her time in Congress, Hochul helped draft legislation related to campaign finance and immigration reforms. • She served 14 years as a member of the town council in Hamburg, south of Buffalo. Afterwards, then-Governor Eliot Spitzer appointed her clerk in Erie County, a post she held until 2011 when she won a special election for a New York congressional district that had not gone to a Democrat in 40 years. After congressional district maps were redrawn in 2012, she lost the seat to a Republican challenger.
Starting September 7, 2021, industry professionals looking to apply for a new license for more than a dozen construction-related roles in New York City, will be required to submit their applications using the Department of Buildings' online portal DOB NOW. Since Friday, August 20, 2021, the Department no longer accepts in-person or by mail paper applications for these license and registration types. New license and registration types available in DOB NOW: BIS Options will include: • Contractors • Construction Superintendents • Site Safety Coordinators/Managers • Master Plumbers • Master Electricians • Elevator Agency Directors/Inspectors • Hoisting Machine Operators • Riggers and more. To obtain a complete list and find out more about the change, read DOB's Service Notice at https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/dob_now_new_ license_appl_sn.pdf To learn more about license renewals, read DOB's License Renewal Application User Guide at https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/license_renewal_ user_guide.pdf
RENDERING: PORT AUTHORITY OF NY AND NJ
A NEW $3.9 B TERMINAL TO BE CONSTRUCTED AT JFK The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has approved a new agreement with JFK Millennium Partners (JMP) to build a new $3.9 billion Terminal 6 at JFK International Airport. The new Terminal will connect to and expand JetBlue's operations at Terminal 5. The project was originally set to break ground in 2020, but was put in limbo due to the pandemic. The 1.2-million-square-foot facility is scheduled to break ground next year. The Port Authority says the development of the new terminal is expected to result in more than 4,000 jobs.
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SKYLINE RESTORATION’S 13TH ANNUAL CHARITABLE GOLF CLASSIC CELEBRATES RAP4BRONX’S FIRST YEAR
LUCKY 13! The event raised over $170,000 for the nonprofits served by The Skyline Charitable Foundation
On Monday, July 12, 2021, Skyline Restoration’s 13th Annual Golf Classic welcomed a record-breaking crowd of over 200 to the Old Westbury Golf and Country Club, the world class venue that has hosted the outings since 2018. The event raised over $170,000 for the expanding number of nonprofits served by The Skyline Charitable Foundation (TSCF), notably featuring RAP4Bronx, the food relief effort created and powered by TSCF at the onset of the pandemic. RAP4Bronx celebrated its first anniversary in April and has far surpassed a major
milestone: over one-and-a-half million meals delivered . Spirits ran high as participants were glad to greet familiar faces in-person on the links, during the cocktail hour and at the lavish buffet dinner. Even the weather cooperated: though clouds hovered and humidity made 80ish temperatures feel closer to 90, threatened thunderstorms never arrived to dampen the day or evening. The 30th anniversary of tournament sponsor Spring Scaffolding LLC took center stage in a manner both moving and memorable as the company’s
president, Will Laffey, presented a check for a robust $30,000 to RAP4Bronx Program Director Shana McCormick, a former employee of Spring Scaffolding. Said Laffey, “Spring Scaffolding looks forward to sponsoring the tournament each and every year. Seeing that 2021 is Spring’s 30th anniversary, we wanted to do something special to celebrate. While we were sad to see Shana go [last year], we were excited for her new opportunity [with RAP4Bronx]. Considering the personal connection and our wish Continued on page 6
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO ALL OUR SPONSORS AND DONORS TOURNAMENT SPONSORS
COCKTAILS SPONSOR
GALLAGHER CONSTRUCTION SERVICES M&T BANK SPRING SCAFFOLDING
VESTACAST
GOLD SPONSORS
BEVERAGE CART SPONSOR
AE DESIGN SOLUTION EXTECH BUILDING MATERIALS HOWARD MATERETSKY SKYTRAC ACCESS GROUP
ANDROMEDA ACADEMY OF CONSTRUCTION TRADES
REGISTRATION DESK SPONSOR SULLIVAN ENGINEERING
HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSORS BAYSIDE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM CLEAN CARTING SERVICES
BREAKFAST SPONSOR SKYLINE ACCESS
LUNCH SPONSOR SKYLINE ACCESS
DINNER SPONSOR FELDMAN LUMBER
FOURSOME SPONSORS ADLER WINDOWS ANDROMEDA ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES CLEAN CARTING DEWALT GARVIN CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS KEMPER SYSTEM AMERICA INC. KINGSPAN INSULATION MATEMBA MIDTOWN PRESERVATION ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING, P.C. NEW CASTLE BUILDING PRODUCTS REED DRIVE
SIKA SIPLAST SKYLINE ACCESS SPEC MIX SULLIVAN ENGINEERING, LLC TEPEDINO COMPANY CPAS LLC
SPONSORS BELDEN TRI-STATE BUILDING MATERIAL KINGS BUILDING MATERIAL SELECT COVERAGE CORP.
TEE BOX SPONSORS CASSONE EFFICIENT ENERGY COMPLIANCE INTEGRITY SCAFFOLD SERVICE GROUP SELECT COVERAGE CORP SIPLAST
LONGEST DRIVE SPONSOR ADLER WINDOWS
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Photo right: The winning foursome (l-r): Niall Croke, Ray Tom, Wilson Cajilima, David Choe.
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Photo above: Welcoming guests (l-r): Shana McCormick, Marijana Rajkovic, Fotini Markatos, Irene Mavrommatis.
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SKYLINE RESTORATION’S 13TH ANNUAL CHARITABLE GOLF CLASSIC CELEBRATES RAP4BRONX’S FIRST YEAR Continued from page 4 to contribute, making a $30,000 donation on our 30th year, was a no-brainer! Eva [Hatzaki] and the Skyline team did a fantastic job of recognizing Spring Scaffolding at the outing. We cannot wait for next year’s event!” Golf tournament chairperson Eva Hatzaki heralded the day’s success and thanked all for being there. “What a wonderful day! This was not only a successful golf tournament, but also a reunion. Colleagues we’ve seen only on our computer screens, finally appeared live and inperson!” said Hatzaki. She offered a special thanks to Spring Scaffolding for its donation, a fitting finale capping the night. All offered cheers and applause. “We’re proud to have been a tournament sponsor since the start 13 years ago. We want to applaud the Skyline team for all they’ve done throughout the pandemic & beyond. Now that we’re recovering, it’s great to celebrate,” said James A. Fenniman, area EVP & senior director, Construction Practice, AJ Gallagher & Co. Wilson Cajilima, vice president, DNA Contracting, who was in the winning foursome said, “After all the shutdowns, over a year of only emails and phone calls, it was a pleasure to see clients – architects, management people – face to face again! It feels wonderful to go back to normal times. It’s great that Skyline does this to help charities, especially during this pandemic period. RAP4Bronx did an excellent job, not just in the Bronx but in Queens and other boroughs as well. They help and bring hope to people in the communities who need it most.” David Choe, associate principal,
Celebrating Spring Scaffolding's 30th anniversary with "something special", Will Laffey, president, presented a $30,000 check to RAP4Bronx Program Director Shana McCormick at the dinner reception. Batska, has been in the winning foursome three times. He said, “I’ve attended the golf outings for the last five years and it’s been amazing. The event is well put together and Old Westbury is always immaculate and fun to play on. After last year, it was great to be able to reaffirm relationships face-to-face, to see everyone again and support The Skyline Charitable Foundation at
the same time. I’m so glad to be able to help.” Longtime tournament sponsor Roy Vollmer, vice president, M&T Bank, said, “For many years the owners of Skyline Restoration have looked for ways to give back to those in need, and as the company has grown so has its philanthropy. We are proud to play a small part by supporting The Skyline Charitable
Foundation and its many initiatives, including providing underserved communities access to healthy meals through its support of RAP4Bronx. The owners and management of Skyline Restoration continue to look beyond their own interests and strive to make New York a better place to live for all its communities.” Happy First, Happy 13, Happy 30 – looking forward to 2022!
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO OUR DEDICATED, HARDWORKING VOLUNTEERS!
(L-R) Amy Ramos, Jailyn Correa, Georgia Dimakopoulos, Samantha Garaicoa, Irene Mavrommatis, Fotini Markatos, Marijana Rajkovic, Shana McCormick, Executive Director, RAP4Bronx. Not shown: Alex Kornacki, Jack Terranova, Kamini Ramkrishna, Kenny Cuesta, Maurice Davidson, Miguel Palacios, Ramon Sierra.
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Photos left to right from top row: Platinum sponsors: James Fenniman, AJ Gallagher & Co.; Roy Vollmer, M&T Bank. Jasen Geraghty, Executive VP, and Stephan Andreatos, President, Skyline Restoration. The "Most Honest Foursome": Peter Oxenham, senior estimator, Skyline Restoration and Steven Lyon, CPA, Andromeda. Amy Bluestone, Board Treasurer and Christine Crowther, Executive Director, The New York Center for Children; Longest Drive winners: Will Laffey, Spring Scaffolding; Mo Rahi, AE Design Group; Sara Tsiropinas, L+M Builders Group.
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RAP4BRONX SUPPORTS A JUST AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM FOR ALL
FREE FARMERS MARKETS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER Support from United Way, Amazon, the Office of NY State Senator Alessandra Biaggi, and a special donation from Spring Scaffolding are helping the food relief program continue and expand its mission “The stars aligned,” said Shana McCormick, program director of RAP4Bronx, referring to the timeliness of a recent generous funding from United Way to the food relief program launched by The Skyline Charitable Foundation at the onset of the pandemic in April 2020. The grant virtually coincided with the close of various Federal and State emergency funding sources at the end of May 2021, including City Harvest and the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program. The support not only enabled RAP4Bronx to continue its mission, it allowed the organization to open its first ever Free Farmers Market. United Way was aware of the positive impact RAP4Bronx
was having and that, as McCormick said, “we were serving a substantial population.” Moreover, because the United Way grant was specifically for New York State sourced produce, it both helped RAP4Bronx serve communities still suffering from food insecurity and aided in supporting farmers throughout the Empire State. Combined with RAP4Bronx’s careful strategic planning, the grant ensured that the charity “didn’t miss a beat,” said McCormick. RAP4Bronx’s first Free Farmers Market opened early on June 25 at Bronx River House, a building situated along the Bronx River that houses the Bronx River Alliance in Starlight
Park. McCormick knew of the site through her participation in the Bronx River Foodway team meetings, connecting the river area with people, growing food and medicinal plants. The Bronx River Alliance also holds Community Paddles and kayak trips along the Bronx River Greenway which was restored by the Alliance. Furthermore, Starlight Park, described by the Parks & Recreation department’s website as a “reclaimed, reconstructed and expanded park,” is a popular family destination equipped with recreational facilities and kayak and canoe launches. With colorful online ads and flyers proclaiming, “Free produce until it’s all gone,” RAP4Bronx also
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hosted Free Farmers Markets on July 23, August 6, and August 20, coordinated with afternoon Community Paddles run by the Alliance. McCormick extends special thanks to the ongoing collaboration of the Alliance including Foodway Coordinator Nathan Hunter who made cool mint iced tea for the community and the RAP4Bronx crew. All Free Farmers Markets offer healthy fare in areas where fresh produce isn’t easily accessible. Products come from Grow NYC, New York State farms and growers, and include seasonal fruit and farm fresh eggs. Because some items may not be familiar to all, RAP4Bronx always has stacks of flyers on hand with inventive recipes such as Double Chocolate Beet Brownies and Green Chimichurri Sauce made with parsley or cilantro and shallots. As a bonus, RAP4Bronx has been approved to distribute Health Bucks vouchers that can be used at for profit farmers markets. “It’s an extra incentive to encourage people to use fresh produce,” said McCormick.
The Free Farmers Markets are helping other nonprofits and community-based organizations that work with RAP4Bronx as well. Bruce Rivera, founder, Mission Helping Hand, receives an allotment from the charity to feed 300 families a week for its auxiliary pantry. Rivera said, “Consistency and longevity are key – our community trusts us and depends on us. That’s what’s been so great about our partnership with RAP4Bronx and working with Shana. Thanks to RAP4Bronx we don’t have any gaps in our program.” He noted too the quality and variety of the produce saying, “We get kale, fresh beets with the vines still attached, peppers, red and yellow onions, even the greens used to make callaloo, a popular Caribbean dish. We appreciate RAP4Bronx and they appreciate our outreach.” Clearly, the constellations conspired to benefit RAP4Bronx several times in recent months. Funding also arrived from Amazon and the Office of State
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(Photo on opposite page) (L-R) Bharati Kemraj, Community Organizer / The Bharati Foundation; Shana McCormick, RAP4Bronx Executive Director; Oscar Vera. (Photo top left) Red Mambas Youth Football Team and Oscar Vera (center) founder, Feed The Streets, who volunteered at the Free Farmers Market. (Photo top right) RAP4Bronx’s Free Farmer’s Market at Starlight Park. (L-R) Bharati Kemraj, Community Organizer / The Bharati Foundation; William Rivera, District Manager of Bronx Community Board 9; PO Luis Mendez, 43rd Precinct Community Affairs Officer; Shana McCormick, RAP4Bronx Executive Director.
Senator Alessandra Biaggi who had witnessed the work of RAP4Bronx firsthand. “It’s a means of building relationships within the community. We’re so grateful,” said McCormick pointing out that the support helped defray a portion of the operating expenses. A particularly special donation was announced at the Skyline Restoration Golf Tournament on July 12. Spring Scaffolding celebrated its 30th anniversary and the one-year anniversary of RAP4Bronx with a generous $30,000 donation (see story on page 4).
“It was especially meaningful for me as I was hired by Will Laffey, president of Spring Scaffolding, in 2017 and was part of the team. Will had faith in my ability and encouraged me to take the position at RAP4Bronx,” said McCormick. “It was a beautiful moment when he presented me with the check.”
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SKYLINE INTRODUCES SKYLINE ACCESS INDUSTRIAL ROPE ACCESS SPECIALISTS This summer, Skyline Restoration launched Skyline Access to provide an added and enhanced service to the industry: a new company focused solely on Industrial Rope Access (IRA), a method of conducting inspections that can have distinct advantages over Traditional Access (TA) when specialized access is needed. Skyline Access contracts with engineering firms to assist in FISP (Façade Inspection Safety Program) inspections required every five years for buildings over six stories located in the five boroughs of New York City. The firms, in consult with Skyline Access, select a staff engineer best suited to the task. The person undergoes a week of rigorous training at a SPRAT
Bryan Prekopa, Director of Operations, Skyline Access LLC.
(Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians) facility to be evaluated and certified as L1 (Level 1). When an inspection is needed, Skyline Access provides the L3 certified supervisor required to be on site with a rescue plan on hand while the L1 trained individual conducts the inspection. Bryan Prekopa, director of operations at Skyline Access, noted the advantages of IRA for specialized access. • Safety “The safety records of IRA are impeccable. We are able to achieve a level of safety that is topnotch,” said Prekopa. • Cost-Effectiveness “IRA can be more cost-effective. It is not as labor- intensive and
It started on The Gunks. That’s the ridge otherwise known as the Shawangunk Mountains, extending from the northernmost tip of New Jersey to the Catskills, a region where Skyline Access Director of Operations Bryan Prekopa honed his rock-climbing skills near his New Paltz hometown as a teen. His career in construction began in the late 1990s as a carpenter, project manager and supervisor. When SPRAT (Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians), was developed in the United States, it was an easy transition for Prekopa to transfer his skills to Industrial Rope Access (IRA). In fact, he noted, “many rock climbers came out of the woodwork” with the advent of SPRAT. For nearly 10 years, he has worked as a SPRAT certified L3 (Level 3) technician. He was a traveling technician then regional manager in the Pacific Northwest where he built programs to conduct non-destructive testing in refineries. He then returned to the northeast working in NJ and NY on façade inspections (FISP), crane support, telecommunications, rescue and recovery, geotech, oil and gas sectors, and stadium construction including Arthur Ashe Stadium and Madison Square Garden. Prekopa was featured in a 2010 episode titled “Extreme Heights” on “World’s Toughest Fixes,” the National Geographic channel program hosted by Master Rigger Sean Riley.
less equipment is required.” Time, effort, equipment, and personnel are needed to set up and move suspended scaffolding from one area to another. Industrial Rope Access can generally perform 10 times the number of drops per day as Traditional Access. • Greater Depth “IRA enables a more in-depth inspection,” said Prekopa. It is ideally suited for areas where extremely close access is required. It can be particularly helpful when there are multiple setbacks. • Less Intrusive– Industrial Rope Access is a particularly wise choice for historic landmarks as no holes are drilled and braces aren’t attached. • Less Disruptive It is less disruptive to building tenants and requires less coordination and advance planning with facilities managers. • Faster Deployment An inspection can be conducted almost on the spot which is especially helpful in critical situations. Having Skyline Access manage the comprehensive preconstruction inspection enables a more seamless transition when Skyline Restoration performs the subsequent repair and restoration work. "Skyline Access will provide all our customers with the same standards of excellence and professionalism they have come to expect from Skyline Restoration in whatever capacity is needed,” said Prekopa.
WE PROVIDE SAFE AND COST-EFFECTIVE INDUSTRIAL ROPE ACCESS TO PERFORM INSPECTIONS ON RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, AND INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES.
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On August 16 Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the Key to NYC vaccination mandate for indoor entertainment, recreation, dining and fitness settings. These entities must develop and keep a written record describing the entity’s protocol for implementing and enforcing these requirements. They should also post a sign —like the one above— in a conspicuous place that is viewable by prospective patrons prior to entering the establishment. Enforcement will begin, with a multi-agency coalition, on September 13. Penalties for failure to comply start at $1,000 and can reach $5,000 for repeated violators. To view the Emergency Executive Order 225 please visit nyc.gov
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