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

Building Team | Nov 7, 2022

U.S. commercial buildings decreased energy use intensity from 2012 to 2018

The recently released 2018 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) by the U.S. Energy Information Administration found that the total floorspace in commercial buildings has increased but energy consumption has not, compared with the last survey analyzing the landscape in 2012.

Codes and Standards | Nov 2, 2022

New York City construction official wants to boost design-build

The new associate commissioner of alternative delivery in New York City’s Department of Design and Construction aims to encourage more design-build project delivery in the city.

| Nov 1, 2022

Updated Florida building codes helped newer homes withstand Hurricane Ian

Newer homes seemed to fare much better than older structures during Hurricane Ian, suggesting that updated Florida building codes made a difference.

Data Centers | Oct 31, 2022

Data center construction facing record-breaking inflation, delays

Data center construction projects face record-breaking inflation amid delays to materials deliveries and competition for skilled labor, according to research from global professional services company Turner & Townsend.

Energy Efficient Roofing | Oct 28, 2022

Rooftop mini turbines can pair with solar panels

A new type of wind turbine can pair well on roofs with solar panels, offering a double source of green energy generation for buildings.

Codes and Standards | Oct 27, 2022

Florida’s Surfside-inspired safety law puts pressure on condo associations

A Florida law intended to prevent tragedies like the Surfside condominium collapse will place a huge financial burden on condo associations and strain architecture and engineering resources in the state.

Codes and Standards | Oct 26, 2022

‘Landmark study’ offers key recommendations for design-build delivery

The ACEC Research Institute and the University of Colorado Boulder released what the White House called a “landmark study” on the design-build delivery method.

Data Centers | Oct 25, 2022

Virginia county moves to restrict the growth of new server farms

Loudoun County, Va., home to the largest data center cluster in the world known as Data Center Alley, recently took steps to prohibit the growth of new server farms in certain parts of the county.

Transportation & Parking Facilities | Oct 20, 2022

How to comply with NYC Local Law 126 parking garage inspection rules

Effective January 1, 2022, New York City requires garage owners to retain a specially designated professional engineer to conduct an assessment and file a report at least once every six years. Hoffmann Architects + Engineers offers tips and best practices on how to comply with NYC Local Law 126 parking garage inspection rules. 

Mixed-Use | Oct 20, 2022

ROI on resilient multifamily construction can be as high as 72%

A new study that measured the economic value of using FORTIFIED Multifamily, a voluntary beyond-code construction and re-roofing method developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), found the return can be as high as 72%.

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