New York City is speeding up public works projects, with Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul working to make construction faster and more cost-effective. The governor recently signed a law to reduce bureaucratic delays. A report shows that all of the Capital Process Reform Task Force's recommendations are being implemented, improving how projects are procured.
According to the official NYC Mayor’s Office news report, Mayor Adams highlighted the importance of the move, saying, "If it seems like city construction projects take forever, and your street has been cracked open for years on end, there’s a reason why: archaic rules here in New York, that have been eliminated nearly everywhere else in the country, mandate that we go at a snail’s pace." He praised the task force recommendations and Governor Hochul's action as transformative, estimating they will cut a year off many project timelines, saving millions for taxpayers and speeding up improvements across the city.
The new legislation introduces key changes, including design-build and construction manager-build contracting models, which streamline the process compared to the old, time-consuming design-bid-build model. It also allows for online public commenting on projects over $100,000, replacing in-person hearings and saving an average of 20 days per project.
Governor Hochul emphasized the broader impact of the reforms, saying, “Signing alternative delivery into law allows the city to streamline projects, eliminating the unnecessary obstacles that stand in the way of creating more community investments and good-paying jobs.” The Mayor’s office report highlights the vision of combining economic growth with practical solutions for New Yorkers tired of slow progress. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi and DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley also celebrated the potential of projects like the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center, a design-build project set to finish two years early and save $2.4 million, providing quicker benefits to residents.
NY State Senator Comrie and Assemblymember Braunstein were recognized for sponsoring the legislation that paved the way for faster city construction, along with Senator Sepulveda and Assemblymember Rajkumar for introducing online public commenting to speed up project approvals.
