2020 is the year design-build officially comes to New York City! Governor Andrew Cuomo signed design-build legislation as one of his final legislative approvals of 2019. Design-build authority was passed this summer and the City has an estimated 49 major design-build projects lined up including NYCHA repairs, the replacement of Rikers Island and reconstruction of Belt Parkway bridges. Mayor Bill DeBlasio and city officials estimate design-build could save the city $400 million in building costs according to the New York Post.

“Design-build means less red tape and more new-and-improved libraries, roads, and bridges. Now we’ll be able to save time and money on critical projects that truly matter to New Yorkers,” the mayor said as he thanked the governor and legislators for passing the bill.”

NYC authority includes city agencies and entities, including the Departments of Design and Construction, Environmental Protection, Transportation and Parks and Recreation, as well as the School Construction Authority, New York City Health and Hospitals and the New York City Housing Authority. The State of New York has used design-build to spur an impressive infrastructure renaissance including projects such as the Mario M. Cuomo and Kosciuszko bridges, Jacob J. Javits Center and Penn Station renovations.

The New York Daily News reports 2020 could also bring increased design-build authority for more state agencies.

“In his approval, the governor made clear he wants to expand the use of the technique.  ‘Design-build is important for capital projects across the state, not just New York City, and should be addressed on a statewide basis,’ he wrote.  A source close to the negotiations surrounding the measure told the Daily News that an agreement was reached between Cuomo and the legislature to grant similar authority to state agencies in the near future.”

The latest design-build research shows that design-build out-performs other delivery systems in cost, schedule, growth measures, construction and delivery speed. From design through completion, design-build projects are delivered 102% faster than traditional design-bid-build using the power of collaboration and innovation. These are efficiencies that New York City will now be able to deliver to its residents.