On the Level Magazine

On the Level Magazine

por Construction Contractors Association of the Hudson Valley

Deep Dive: The #1 Decision That Makes or Breaks Multi-Million Dollar Construction Projects

In this episode, the hosts analyze an industry briefing by Dan Depew, Executive Director of the Construction Contractor Association (CCA). The discussion breaks down why the single most critical factor in project success happens in the boardroom long before shovels hit the dirt: selecting the proper construction contract delivery method. Key Discussion Points: The Root Cause of Failure: Why budget overruns and delays stem from early contract structuring rather than on-site worker errors. Lump-Sum Bidding vs. Design-Build: Analyzing traditional "design-bid-build" pitfalls—such as change order battles and Wicks Law hurdles—against the fast-tracked, single-entity Design-Build approach. The CM Builder Advantage: How integrating a Construction Manager early alongside the design team delivers open-book pricing, real-time cost feedback, and constructability reviews. Overcoming Industry Resistance: Addressing why design firms often resist early builder input and how owners can enforce structural collaboration from day one.

Proposed 485-b Changes Could Expand Prevailing Wage Rules

This episode of On the Level examines proposed New York State legislation (Senate Bill S9052) that could mandate prevailing wage requirements or Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for certain private construction projects in Orange County. Key Topics Covered: Section 485-b Overview: Explains how New York's 485-b program currently provides a 10-year phased property tax exemption for commercial and industrial property improvements without triggering prevailing wage mandates on its own. Proposed Legislative Changes: Details Section 4 of Senate Bill S9052, which would require private projects receiving 485-b tax exemptions or Orange County IDA PILOT agreements to comply with NY Labor Law Article 8 prevailing wages or utilize a PLA. Contractor & Financial Impact: Outlines the potential for higher labor costs, increased payroll compliance burdens, and shifts in subcontractor pricing and project margins for local builders. Actionable Advice for Bidders: Recommends that contractors inquire early in the bidding process whether a project receives 485-b exemptions or IDA benefits so that labor costs can be accurately estimated.

Mega-Projects Poised to Keep Us Busy Through 2027 and Beyond

This episode examines multi-billion-dollar industrial, logistics, and technology developments across Orange and Dutchess counties projected to drive regional economic growth through 2027 and beyond. Key Projects & Topics Covered: Amazon Warehouse (Town of Wawayanda): Proposed logistics and distribution hub near Interstate 84, balancing community infrastructure considerations with local union labor opportunities. Walmart Distribution Warehouse (Town of Wallkill): Planned supply-chain facility on a site preserved for 25+ years, expected to advance under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA). IBM Quantum Computing Expansion (Poughkeepsie): Proposed 500,000-square-foot R&D and manufacturing expansion reinforcing the region's position in advanced computing and semiconductor research. Local Labor Focus: Emphasizes securing PLAs to guarantee skilled, safe, and fairly compensated local union workers build these transformational projects.

Empowering Regional Growth: ConnectOne Bank’s Robust Business Lending Solutions

This episode of On the Level examines ConnectOne Bank's commercial and construction lending solutions designed to drive economic development and support business expansion across the Hudson Valley. Key Financial Solutions & Topics Covered: Commercial & Construction Financing: Tailored loan structures for ground-up development (industrial, multi-family, mixed-use, retail), commercial real estate, and working capital. Hyper-Local Banking Model: Combines big-bank lending capabilities with local community focus across Orange, Westchester, and Rockland counties. NYS Linked Deposit Program (LDP): Partnering with Empire State Development to lower borrowing costs, offering up to a 2% interest rate reduction for eligible businesses and up to 3% for MWBEs, SDVOBs, or distressed area projects. Capital Deployment Uses: Subsidized funding for facility expansion, job site modernization, heavy equipment purchases, and real estate acquisitions that support local job creation and retention.

Two Senators, Four Questions

This episode features a Q&A session with New York State Senators James Skoufis (D-42) and Rob Rolison (R-39), exploring the role of organized labor, trade education, economic development incentives, and bipartisan governance in the Hudson Valley. Key Topics Covered: Role of Organized Labor & Building Trades: Both senators emphasize union labor as essential for workplace safety, local job creation, quality infrastructure, and sustainable regional growth. IDA Incentives & Project Accountability: Senator Skoufis argues for strict due diligence, prevailing wage/PLA requirements, and clawback provisions for companies receiving tax breaks. Senator Rolison highlights attaching labor, apprenticeship, and safety standards to major investments like IBM Quantum. Trade Careers & Apprenticeships: Highlighting programs like Local 17's Build and Beyond Hudson Valley pre-apprenticeship program to offer debt-free, family-sustaining careers, noting trade jobs are largely resilient against AI displacement. Taxes, Energy, & Cost of Living: Senator Rolison calls for an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy to lower utility bills, while Senator Skoufis addresses high property tax burdens and opposition to corporate tax subsidies. Bipartisan Common Ground: Both senators share how they work across party lines on practical issues including public safety, local infrastructure, veteran support, and workforce development.

Your Most Important Construction Decision Happens Before the Drawings Begin

This episode of On the Level explores why selecting the right construction contract delivery method early in project planning is the single most critical decision for project success. Delivery Methods Analyzed: Single-Prime General Contractor (Lump-Sum Bid): Traditional method providing fixed upfront pricing, though lacking early builder input and increasing the risk of change orders and design disputes. Design-Build: Combines design and construction under a single contract for faster delivery and single-point accountability, though owners trade away direct control over detailed design choices. Construction Manager as Builder (CM Builder): Integrates the contractor into the early design phase to provide continuous cost estimating, drawing coordination, risk reduction, and transparent subcontractor selection.

Projects Across the CCA Region

This episode highlights key construction and infrastructure developments taking shape across the Construction Contractor Association (CCA) coverage area. Featured Projects Covered: Howells Firehouse: Progress on the new $10 million, 16,543-square-foot fire and police facility. Eldred Preserve Spa: Construction updates on the $16 million boutique luxury wellness spa. Lake Sebago Beach: The $95.8 million reconstruction and environmental resiliency project at Harriman State Park. Newburgh City School District CTE Center: The grand opening of a $75 million, 132,424-square-foot educational facility built under a Project Labor Agreement. Michie Stadium at West Point: Completion of the $170+ million stadium preservation and renovation project ahead of the football season. Orange-Ulster BOCES Capital Project: Major milestones across regional education campuses, including a new gymnasium and CTE center expansions.

The Trade School With NO Chairs: Inside the High-Tech Trade Revolution!

Traditional high school isn't the only path to success—and this jaw-dropping transformation in the Hudson Valley proves it. In this deep-dive audio episode, we explore the incredible shift happening at the Ulster BOCES Career Academies at iPark 87 in Kingston, New York. Based on the insightful article “Built to Work: How Ulster BOCES is Shaping Tomorrow’s Trades” by CCA Executive Director Dan Depew, this discussion unpacks how a massive, 100,000-square-foot former IBM facility is completely dismantling outdated ideas of vocational education. 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The 100,000 Sq. Ft. Transformation: How a massive industrial facility that sat dark for 36 years was reimagined into a modern educational powerhouse. The Psychology of Trust: Why this school threw out locked supply closets and replaced them with clear glass cabinets and high-tech, tracking Snap-on toolboxes. Why Chairs Are Banned: How keeping students on their feet completely cures classroom boredom while building the communication and troubleshooting skills employers look for. Aerospace-Level Engineering: A look inside the Gene Haas Lab, where teenagers are programming CNC machinery to tolerances thinner than a human hair. Redefining Success: How local students like Matt, James, and Cam are bypassing crushing college debt for fast-tracked, high-paying tech and trade careers. 💼 Brought To You By: Featured Magazine: On The Level (The official publication of the Construction Contractor Association of the Hudson Valley) Proudly Sponsored By: Key Construction Services LLC Affiliates: SMACNA of Southeastern NY & FERA of the Hudson Valley

CCA Dinner Keynote Outlines Benefits of Project Labor Agreements

Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) are shaping the future of major public and private building developments. But what makes them such a vital tool for contractors, workers, and communities alike? In this audio feature from On The Level Magazine, we listen in on the CCA Annual Dinner Keynote delivered by Jeffrey M. Grabelsky of Cornell University. As a nationally recognized expert, Grabelsky delivers a comprehensive breakdown of how PLAs strengthen the $1 trillion U.S. construction industry, stabilize project timelines, and build a highly skilled workforce pipeline. 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The Scale of the Industry: A look at the massive $1 trillion U.S. construction sector and the critical role collective bargaining plays in keeping it competitive. What Exactly is a PLA?: Understanding these project-specific, pre-hire collective bargaining agreements and how they establish uniform terms for complex jobs. The Core Benefits: How PLAs coordinate multiple trades, ensure accurate budgeting, increase job site safety, and include strict "no strike/no lockout" clauses to prevent costly delays. Debunking the Myths: An honest look at the most common criticisms surrounding PLAs—including costs, schedules, and union perceptions—and how advocates can confidently address them. Real-World Case Studies: Real examples of massive, successful PLA deployments across New York, including the Micron semiconductor project in Syracuse, IBM’s quantum computing facility in Poughkeepsie, and Amazon’s robotics distribution center in Orange County. 💼 Brought To You By: Featured Magazine: On The Level (The official publication of the Construction Contractor Association of the Hudson Valley) Proudly Sponsored By: Taylor Montgomery (Taylor-Montgomery.com) Affiliates: SMACNA of Southeastern NY & FERA of the Hudson Valley 📌 Timestamps: 0:00 – Sponsor Spotlight & Introduction 0:40 – Keynote Introduction: Jeffrey M. Grabelsky 1:15 – The Scale & Impact of the U.S. Construction Workforce 2:30 – Defining the Project Labor Agreement (PLA) 3:45 – Coordination, Efficiency, and Preventing Project Disruptions 5:00 – Addressing Common Criticisms and Objections 6:15 – Mega-Projects in Action: Micron, IBM, Amazon, and Walmart 7:30 – Closing Credits & Affiliates

SMACNA Issues are The Focus At Albany Lobby Day

When the sheet metal and construction industries get face-to-face with New York’s top lawmakers, major moves happen. In this audio feature from On The Level Magazine, we head to the State Capitol for Albany Lobby Day. Led by SMACNA Southeastern Executive Vice President Alan Seidman and a dedicated team of industry executives and contractors, this episode pulls back the curtain on the critical legislative battles happening right now to protect local businesses, workers, and schools. 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The Fight for Clean Air in Schools: Why a crucial Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) amendment could soon force school districts to use certified HVAC professionals for safety assessments rather than untrained maintenance staff. Cracking Down on Construction Site Crime: How staged construction accidents are hurting contractor ratings and skyrocketing insurance costs—and the push to make this fraud a Class E felony. Navigating Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI): The specific changes union construction employers need to see in the current TDI bill before offering their full support. The Power of Direct Lobbying: How keeping the pressure on Albany lawmakers ensures the Hudson Valley construction sector isn't left behind. 💼 Brought To You By: Featured Magazine: On The Level (The official publication of the Construction Contractor Association of the Hudson Valley) Proudly Sponsored By: Taylor Montgomery (Taylor-Montgomery.com) Affiliates: SMACNA of Southeastern NY & FERA of the Hudson Valley 📌 Timestamps: 0:00 – Sponsor Spotlight & Introduction 0:40 – Inside Albany Lobby Day: The Mission 1:35 – Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) & Protecting NY Schools 2:50 – Stopping Staged Construction Site Accidents & Fraud 3:55 – The Real Impact of Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) 4:45 – Closing Credits & Affiliates

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