A new report released by the Center for an Urban Future found significant flaws in how New York City manages capital projects for libraries and cultural institutions.
These projects encounter “staggering delays and exorbitant costs” the report says. The median new library and cultural project takes about seven years to complete and costs $930 per square foot, or roughly twice the cost of building a new office tower in the city, the report says.
The report, a joint project with the Citizens Budget Commission, analyzed 144 capital projects for libraries and cultural organizations completed between fiscal years 2010 and 2014. All were managed by the city’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC).
The report found that even seemingly routine maintenance projects end up taking years. For instance, the median mechanical system upgrade—including replacement and installation of fire alarms, boilers, and heating/cooling systems—took 4.3 years to complete. The study also found that when institutions are granted permission to self-manage capital projects, which is allowed on rare occasions, the projects typically take a fraction of the time and cost roughly 40% less.
Related Stories
| Dec 26, 2013
USGBC recognizes Ohio for achieving 100th LEED-certified public school
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has recognized the state of Ohio and the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) on the LEED certification of the 100th public school building in the state.
| Dec 26, 2013
WDMA launches project to create ISO-compliant architectural doors
WDMA's National Architectural Door Council has initiated a project to create ISO-compliant Product Category Rules for architectural wood flush and stile and rail doors
| Dec 19, 2013
Defense Department okays Green Globes standard for DoD facilities
The Green Globes certification program from the Green Building Initiative can be used for the renovation and construction of Department of Defense facilities following agency endorsement.
| Dec 19, 2013
New York City proposal may boost standards for crane maintenance
New York City may boost maintenance standards for cranes operating in the city, including the addition of load cycle counters to record data regarding every lift that a crane performs.
| Dec 19, 2013
Lawmakers say EPA’s Energy Star standards lack transparency
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is raising concerns that the Environmental Protection Agency has not been transparent in drafting energy-efficiency standards under the Energy Star program.
| Dec 18, 2013
ASHRAE publishes 2013 thermal comfort standard
Major revisions for design and measurement of comfortable spaces are included in a newly published ASHRAE 2013 thermal comfort standard.
| Dec 11, 2013
Texas to require architects to be fingerprinted to get licensed
Starting January 1, 2014, architects who apply for an occupational license in Texas will have to share their fingerprints with the state.
| Dec 11, 2013
Province of Ontario is reviewing bill to require timely payments to contractors
Legislation is under review in the Province of Ontario that would mandate timely payments to contractors.
| Dec 11, 2013
Federal design-build proposal could make it easier for small businesses to land government contracts
The Design-Build Efficiency and Jobs Act, a bill pending in the U.S. House of Representatives, would streamline the bid and proposal process by requiring government agencies to use a two-step process when seeking design-build contracts for projects worth more than $750,000.
| Dec 11, 2013
NIST recommends tougher standards for tornado resilience
Buildings in tornado-prone areas should be constructed to withstand strong winds just as hurricanes are factored into building codes in coastal areas, says a federal report examining the 2011 killer tornado in Joplin, Mo.