flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Diversity rules largely ignored on Boston construction projects

Regulations

Diversity rules largely ignored on Boston construction projects

Goals for minority and local hires go unmet with little enforcement


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | August 4, 2024
Image by Walter Frehner from Pixabay

Image by Walter Frehner from Pixabay

Not a single construction project in Boston over the past four years has met all the rules intended to diversify the construction industry and increase the number of city residents working on construction sites, according to a report in the Boston Globe.

The Boston Residents Jobs Policy, a city ordinance, requires 51% of work hours on a project go to Boston residents. It also mandates that 40% of work hours go to workers of color, and 12% of work hours go to women. The rules apply to any private development over 50,000 sf and any public project.

Some projects did meet some of the requirements, the Globe reported. Nine exceeded the threshold for women’s work hours; 48 met or exceeded the requirement of 40% of working hours going to workers of color. Just one had more than 51% of working hours for city residents.

Only three companies were fined for violating the policy by a commission with oversight of the ordinance. The companies were fined for failing to submit payroll records in a timely manner, not for violating hiring goals.

The Globe reported that the commission is reluctant to fine companies for not meeting hiring goals for fear of prompting lawsuits that could nullify the ordinance.

Related Stories

Reconstruction & Renovation | Dec 21, 2017

Interactive map includes detailed information on historic New York City buildings

The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission launched a new, enhanced version of its interactive map, Discover NYC Landmarks.

Codes and Standards | Aug 24, 2017

OSHA silica dust exposure enforcement begins Sept. 23

Vacuum dust collection, water-delivery systems, and respirators will be required.

Energy Efficiency | Jan 5, 2017

Exponential growth in net zero energy buildings predicted for the next two decades

Technology and regulations will be the drivers, says Navigant Research.

Wood | Sep 6, 2016

Atlanta suburb prohibits wood-framed construction for high rises

The new building code prevents any structure with more than three stories from being built from a CLT frame.

Regulations | Aug 31, 2016

FEMA wants to toughen flood regulation on projects using federal funds

The proposal ‘would essentially rewrite the current 100-year flood standard.’

Legislation | Aug 10, 2016

Calif. bill would speed up environmental lawsuits on certain projects

A nine-month limit has been proposed for some $100 million-plus projects.

Regulations | Aug 9, 2016

New trend eases parking requirements for U.S. cities

Transit-oriented development and affordable housing are spurring the movement. 

Regulations | Aug 8, 2016

EPA toughens rules to reduce formaldehyde exposure from composite wood products

Products will now have to be labeled as compliant to the new rules.

Regulations | Aug 5, 2016

Stop-work orders in New York City up sharply this year

The orders come after a rise in the number of deadly accidents that have occurred in the past few years.

Cultural Facilities | Mar 8, 2016

The sexy side of universal design

What would it look like if achieving universal accessibility was an inspiring point of departure for a project's design process? Sasaki's Gina Ford focuses on Marina Plaza and the Cove, two key features of her firm's Chicago Riverwalk development.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Codes and Standards

New FEMA rules include climate change impacts

FEMA’s new rules governing rebuilding after disasters will take into account the impacts of climate change on future flood risk. For decades, the agency has followed a 100-year floodplain standard—an area that has a 1% chance of flooding in a given year.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021