Dear BOMA New York Members,

Happy 2020 and welcome to a new decade.  We experienced a lot of change within the CRE industry over the last ten years.  We went from exploring meaningful techniques to make our buildings “sustainable” to leveraging technology in order to operate properties as efficiently as possible.  We also evolved from evaluating open floor plans to optimizing headcount to not just delivering space for tenants, but an actual experience packed with amenities.  As building owners and managers continue to invest in new technology – via data, IoT, machine learning, security, energy, BMS integration and robotics – the pace of adoption and advancement will continue to accelerate in 2020.

BOMA New York is at the forefront of the PropTech dialogue and our members will have a front row seat for the balance of the first quarter to observe the industry leaders and gamechangers.  First, at the upcoming 49th Annual Pinnacle Awards at Pier Sixty on the evening of February 27th, we will honor the best commercial real estate professionals and celebrate the top performing commercial properties in Manhattan.

Two weeks after The Pinnacles, we will host our first inaugural PropTech Summit on March 12th at The Maxwell Hotel.  This event is where the biggest and brightest CRE owners and managers in New York City will gather to embrace innovation and come to appreciate new efficiencies in order to better manage commercial properties.  It is an afternoon event with a packed agenda that includes engaging speakers and over 40 presenting PropTech Companies anticipated; complemented by a reception with light hors d'oeuvres and an open bar.

Our Lunch & Learn programs, BOMI curriculum and Green & Wellness sessions continue to improve with multiple informative sessions throughout the year – all to help you propel your career.  These programs fill up quickly.  Please take advantage of the many educational opportunities we offer.

BOMA New York and its Board of Directors are committed to BOMA NY’s mission…to promote programs and services, while serving as a resource, for the advancement of the real estate industry. From networking to educational programs and advocacy to special cause issues – BOMA NY is there – adding value every day.


Sincerely,
Hani J. Salama, PE, LEED-AP
Chair & Chief Executive Officer
BOMA New York

We sat down with one of the newest members of the BOMA New York Board - Carolina Ramos, RPA, LEED AP O+M - General Manager, NY Region at Rockhill Management.  

Seated (L-R):
Secretary Patrick J. Dolan (The Durst Organization); Treasurer Cynthia M. Boyea (Paramount Group, Inc.), Chair & Chief Executive Officer Hani J. Salama (Capital Properties, Inc.) and Vice Chair Matthew J. Duthie (Newmark Knight Frank)

Standing (L-R):
Directors: Michael F. Sullivan (Avison Young), Alexander Trotta (CBRE), Matthew McAvoy (Vornado Realty Trust), Rosemarie Subasic (Hines), Kevin Hoey (L & L Holding Company, LLC), Laura Belt Ponomarev (The 58-64 40th Street Corp., Inc.), Former President James R. Kleeman (Port Authority of NY & NJ), Carolina Ramos (Rockhill Management, LLC), and Mark S. Landstrom (Tishman Speyer Properties)

Not Pictured:
Directors: Joseph Ferdinando (Building Security Services & Systems), Sharon Hart (Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.), Michelle Landon (Oxford Properties Group), Deborah Tomasi (Boston Properties, Inc.) and Ronald S. Zeccardi (Cresa New York)

Photo Credit:
Steve Friedman

Door Lock Monitors:
As many of you know, the 2014 update to the Buildings Code required all automatic passenger and freight elevators to be equipped with door lock monitors (DLMs) by January 1, 2020. Due to technical and other hardships, many buildings have struggled to achieve this objective.  BOMA New York and our allies pressed both the Department of Buildings and the City Council to provide some relief from this schedule.

On December 31, 2019, however, DOB released a bulletin laying out how they would enforce the new DLM requirement. They will penalize buildings not in compliance based on Category 1 Inspections and Tests, PVT Inspections, Complaint Inspections, as well as Acceptance Inspections & Tests. DLM non-compliance found during Category 1 Tests will be filed under DOB NOW, and DOB will be directly notified via email (elevatorDLM@buildings.nyc.gov).

First-time violations will be issued a $2,500 fine, with new inspections scheduled every 60 days and the potential for escalating fines. DOB has indicated, at least informally, that they may hold owners harmless for escalating fines if they can show that they are taking proper steps to achieve compliance.

Local Law 11 Inspections:
In a separate matter, DOB has significantly increased requirements for Local Law 11 façade inspections via a new Rule – finalized on January 14, 2020. These changes will make LL 11 inspections more time-consuming and expensive, but given the recent tragic death caused by falling terra cotta from a downtown building, protecting human health is of the utmost importance.

The first change applies to Qualified Exterior Wall Inspectors (QEWIs), who must have seven years (no longer just one year) of experience, specifically with facades of relevant buildings. They must also demonstrate knowledge of relevant codes, laws, and regulations related to facades in order to get approved as a QEWI. The new Rule also disallows QEWIs from delegating inspections to others.

In addition, the new Rule increases close-up inspection requirements. Whereas now, façade inspections can take place from a single scaffolding.  Under the new Rule, all facades over public rights-of-way, not just streets, must be inspected every 60 feet across their length. Furthermore, for odd-numbered cycle years, including the upcoming cycle 9, close-up inspections must include cavity wall probes to inspect wall ties. Both of these additional inspection requirements will undoubtedly raise several logistical and cost challenges.

The new Rule also clarifies the meaning of “unsafe condition,” modifies the timeframe for fixing unsafe conditions, requires a range of required photographic submissions, adds other new reporting information requirements, requires QEWIs to advise owners about specific remedies for unsafe conditions and increases penalties for non-compliance. As a final measure, the Rule requires owners to post a façade condition status in the lobby of the building within 30 days of receiving it.

The New York Real Estate Journal reported on the first sold out Lunch & Learn of the year.  Fabian Cruz, PE, PLLC, a consultant of Briscoe Protective, focused on the specifics of existing codes and building bulletins in order to properly update fire alarm systems in older buildings.  He also touched upon how to work with the FDNY to ensure compliance and success throughout the process.  READ MORE HERE.

BOMA New York recently returned from a trip to Washington DC where we met with staff from Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, as well as staff from Congressmembers Maloney and Clarke to advocate for several tax- and energy-related pieces of legislation that are top priorities for BOMA International.

We leveraged the power of BOMA MAC and collaborated with our associates from BOMA Westchester and BOMA Buffalo.  It was great to be shoulder to shoulder with BOMA Westchester President Scott Tangredi (SL Green); and BOMA Buffalo Director Zach Melas (Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation).

Issues included the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2019; the Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Tax Deduction, commonly referred to as 179D; and Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. Some also took the opportunity to start a conversation with these Congressional staffers about LL97, the City’s buildings emissions reductions law, which will have a significant impact on Congressional constituents in the near future. To read BOMA International’s position on each, READ MORE HERE.

L-R: BOMA Westchester President Scott Tangredi (SL Green); BOMA NY Chair & CEO Hani J. Salama (Capital Properties); Migena Agaraj (Able Services); Dennis Giblin (Able Services);  BOMA NY Executive Director Bobbi McGowan; BOMA Buffalo Director Zach Melas (Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation); John Leitner (Environmental Building Solutions); and Lina Gottesman (Altus Metal & Marble)

Outside Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s office: L-R: John Leitner (Environmental Building Solutions); BOMA Westchester President Scott Tangredi (SL Green); BOMA NY Executive Director Bobbi McGowan; BOMA Buffalo Director Zach Melas (Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation); BOMA NY Chair & CEO Hani J. Salama (Capital Properties); Lina Gottesman (Altus Metal & Marble); Migena Agaraj (Able Services); and Dennis Giblin (Able Services)

L-R: Laura Schmalz (Diaz Architects), Dom Diaz (Diaz Architects), Daniel Avery (BOMA/NY), Cindy Boyea (Paramount Group and BOMA/NY treasurer), Andrew Chown (Ashokan Water), Rick Lefever (Façade MD Architecture and Engineering), and Tara Hochhauser (Diaz Architects)

BOMA has been in touch with several federal agencies, including the CDC and DHS regarding the Coronavirus.  To assist, we compiled the most up-to-date information from these agencies – What You Need To Know: Novel Coronavirus.

Each February, we celebrate the best of BOMA New York and the spirit of our great city by presenting our Pinnacle Awards to the premiere buildings and people in the city. Competition for the coveted prizes is both fair and fierce, involving a comprehensive nomination and submission process. These awards have increasingly begun to symbolize what we do best for our tenants, our clients and the City of New York at large.  Don’t miss the signature event of the year and purchase your tickets HERE.

As a value-add to your day, the PropTech Summit is an afternoon event with a packed agenda that includes engaging speakers, over 40 presenting PropTech Companies anticipated, and a reception with light hors d'oeuvres and an Open Bar.  REGISTER HERE

BOMA New York emailed all members their 2020 Membership Dues renewal invoices.  If you have not received yours, please be sure to reach out to Ami Shah at ami@bomany.com.  Payment for Membership Dues Invoices are to be received no later than Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Allied Members that do not renew by March 31st will be dropped from the roster without further notice.

The 2020 Calendar is online, developed and continues to mature.  Please check it out HERE and check back often for new events in 2020.

A new law regarding continuing education for real estate salespersons and brokers was recently adopted. Below is a summary of the major changes.  The amendment changes the course requirements for renewal.  The amendment also REMOVES the 15-year real estate broker continuing education exemption.  To review the bill, please click here.

The Capital Region Building Owners and Managers Association, located in Albany, New York will host the 2020 Middle Atlantic Conference.  Please have a look at the sponsorship opportunities HERE.

The Home Depot offers BOMA members an exclusive annual rebate program. Receive a 2% annual rebate on all qualifying in-store and online pre-tax purchases, plus extra services and savings. There is no cost to enroll. Annual purchases must total a minimum of $25,000 to qualify for the rebate. So, what are you waiting for? Start earning money on your company’s Home Depot purchases now. Be sure to enter the program code BOMA when you register.  Learn how to get started in this video.  The 2019-2020 rebate year began March 1, 2019.  Click HERE to enroll.

February 20, 2020
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: 55 Water Street
Save the Date

February 27, 2020
5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Chelsea Piers – Pier 60
REGISTER

March 5, 2020
Location:  BOMA New York, 1 Penn Plaza, Suite 2205, New York, NY
Save the Date

March 12, 2020
Location: The Maxwell Hotel, 541 Lexington Avenue (between 49th & 50th Streets on Lexington Avenue)
REGISTER

March 19, 2020
Location:  BOMA New York, 1 Penn Plaza, Suite 2205, New York, NY
Save the Date

March 28, 2020
Captivate Screens Available.  Please email your request to Ami Shah at ami@bomany.com.

April 22, 2020
Captivate Screens Available.  Please email your request to Ami Shah at ami@bomany.com.

April 30, 2020
Location: Club 101 (101 Park Avenue)
Save the Date

Please join us in welcoming our new BOMA New York members.

If you have a candidate for membership, please contact Ami Shah, our Director of Membership and Special Events at ami@bomany.com. And visit us at bomany.org for information on the difference a BOMA New York membership makes.