Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
“New York City will emerge from this crisis stronger by building our recovery from the grassroots up,” Mayor de Blasio said.
By Forum Staff
Mayor Bill de Blasio, U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica), and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards on Monday announced key elements of the foundation for the new John F. Kennedy International Airport construction projects that they said will drive a recovery by creating more than 20,000 jobs, investing $10 to $15 billion in new infrastructure, and boosting tourism to New York City.
“New York City will emerge from this crisis stronger by building our recovery from the grassroots up,” Hizzoner said.
On Monday, de Blasio signed an Emergency Executive Order to extend the Port Authority’s lease at JFK Airport from 2050 to 2060 without ULURP. Working with Representative Meeks and Queens Borough President Richards, and building on the work of the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council appointed in October 2018, the leaders helped secure the community benefits package and a commitment that the Port Authority will require the projects be subject to Project Labor Agreements.
The lease extension announced Monday by the pols includes assurance that the massive new construction project will abide by the community benefits package, which requires at least 30 percent workers of color, ensures at least 30 percent of the contractors are Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses, establishes new apprenticeship and scholarship programs for the surrounding community, and requires the new building meets strict environmental standards.
The community benefits package includes:
Workforce Development, including Community Hiring: Requirement for 30 percent minority hires and 7 percent women hires across all construction trades with a higher 40 percent minority hires among Laborers; Best efforts to hire from zip codes around JFK Airport followed by all of Queens; fund new pre-apprenticeship programs prioritizing local residents in coordination with the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater NY; Expand Council for Airport Opportunity in downtown Jamaica and Far Rockaway to facilitate long term local hiring; Commitment to fund an Office of Second Chance Employment to connect formerly incarcerated individuals or those with past involvement in the criminal justice system with jobs at the airport.
Business Development: Requirement for 30 percent MWBE contracting across financing, construction, design and operations, including prioritization of local MWBE; hiring independent MWBE compliance consultants to focus on meeting, monitoring, and reporting on MWBE goals; develop a Business Development Opportunity Center to facilitate local capacity building and matchmaking focusing on local MWBEs.
Education Programs: Continue scholarship programs for local high school students; funding for an aviation focused STEM program at York College for local middle school students; continuation and expansion of a summer minicamp in collaboration with the Eastern Queens Alliance to educate middle school students on environmental stewardship and sustainability; participation in multiple high school career fairs annually; continue a local internship program.
Environmental Sustainability: Minimum LEED Silver at new terminals; new terminals will transition diesel fuel powered ground service equipment with electric; require lowest reasonable emissions use for construction equipment including limiting engine size, requiring electric vehicles when possible, and strict idling restrictions; implement marine-based barging of materials to reduce delivery trucks on roadways; low emissions vehicle shuttle service from Aqueduct to JFK for all construction crews.
