Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
Q&A
Strategies for expediting completion of borough-based jails
1:05:58
·
172 sec
Council Member Sandy Nurse inquires about specific strategies to expedite the completion of borough-based jails. Jonathan Lippman and Zachary Katznelson explain the potential of using design-build concepts to save time in the construction process.
- They suggest simultaneous work on the building's exterior while finalizing interior designs
- The commission estimates this approach could save at least one year in the construction timeline
- Katznelson notes that this process is routinely used by the Port Authority in New York City projects
- They emphasize the need for the city to learn from other agencies and implement best practices in construction management
Sandy Nurse
1:05:58
While we're on that subject, before I pass it to council member Stevens
Jonathan Lippman
1:06:01
You're not gonna ask us about tariffs more, are you?
Sandy Nurse
1:06:03
Maybe.
1:06:05
Depends on how it goes.
1:06:06
Just in terms of what you mentioned in your testimony and what's in the report about expediting completion of the borough based jail.
1:06:17
Yes.
1:06:18
I think, at least from the counsel's point of view, I think we're all reckoned already with the reality of getting those up online.
1:06:26
I know that you all have mentioned the additional evaluation that could happen, the design build, DDC has talked about that extensively.
1:06:35
Can you pinpoint specifically where you're seeing this one year
Jonathan Lippman
1:06:39
Yeah.
1:06:40
We can.
Sandy Nurse
1:06:40
Expedition.
1:06:41
Right.
1:06:41
Exciting.
Jonathan Lippman
1:06:42
Yeah.
1:06:42
It's the it's the design build concept where we think they're a little bit off base.
1:06:49
And we've been telling them this for years already that you could do two things at one time, particularly with this design build process.
1:06:59
That you can do the work on the outside of the building while you're finishing the design of the inside of the building.
1:07:09
And you don't have to wait till all that design work is finished before you start, you know, building.
1:07:18
And it's just it's like we're knocking our head against the wall.
1:07:22
What's the explanation, Zach, as to why that can't be done?
1:07:26
Is there a rational explanation?
1:07:28
I mean, I don't get it.
1:07:30
To me, one year at least can be locked up.
Sandy Nurse
1:07:34
Well, many people here have said they're former professions.
1:07:36
I was in construction, so I hear what you're saying, but when it comes to a complex as big as these with a lot of different subcontractors and things like that.
1:07:46
I guess I'm curious to understand, you know, who who informed on that in a in a in a real kind of detailed way to help you all come to that conclusion.
Jonathan Lippman
1:07:55
Zach, go ahead.
Zachary Katznelson
1:07:56
Well, I I think the answer is the city, We've had discussions with the Department of Design and Construction.
1:08:02
We've had discussions with other professionals.
1:08:05
We have architects and construction professionals that are actually part of the commission too, and really try to bring as many voices in.
1:08:12
But I believe the Department of Design and Construction can answer that.
1:08:16
And the reality is that this is a possibility that can be done.
1:08:19
It's done this process the judge is talking about, about simultaneously starting construction while you finish design, is something that the Port Authority, for instance, does routinely in and around New York City is not something that is unheard of or new or novel in any way.
1:08:35
It would be something relatively new for New York City because this is the first real big design build process they've done.
1:08:40
Okay, so let's learn from our colleagues.
1:08:42
Let's learn from other agencies, and let's put in best practices.
1:08:44
And that's what we've been advocating for all along.
Sandy Nurse
1:08:47
Thank you so much.
1:08:49
Okay, Councilmember Stevens.