PWC honors Battery Park's green building at awards banquet

Real Estate Weekly, April 18, 2001

On March 22, Professional Women in Construction (PWC) celebrated its Annual Awards Reception by honoring the "Green" Building Program set up by the Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) and applauding the achievements of four outstanding members. The reception was held from 5:30 to 8 pm in the Grand Ballroom of The Yale Club in New York City.

PWC gave its coveted Construction Leadership Award to the BPCA for its landmark efforts to create environmentally sound and financially viable structures and for its commitment to achieving inclusion of women and minorities.

Lenore Janis, president of PWC and one of its original founders 21 years ago, said, in presenting the award to the BPCA, "It's not easy being the first to try something new. You have demonstrated that environmentally sound principles make economic sense. Furthermore, you have shown that exceeding your goals by including 19% minority and women-owned enterprises as subcontractors and a work force comprised of 30% minorities and women is also a wise financial move. For your courage and your commitment, we commend you and echo your motto, "Go for the green!"

The BPCA is beginning construction on one of the first "green" high-rise residential buildings in the world. The structure will adhere to precedent-setting guidelines established in January 2000 which specify that new buildings must use environmentally-advanced technologies and materials to conserve energy and resources and provide a healthy, non-toxic environment for residents and employees. The 266-unit rental will be built at an estimated cost of $110 million at River Terrace and Murray Street. The Albanese Development Corporation is heading the project, and working with Full Spectrum Building and Development, a minority-owned firm, and Turner Construction, the general contractor.

The BPCA has also recently announced that The Related Companies of Manhattan will develop a $113 million building with 330 apartments and Albanese will build an additional $95 million structure with 260 apartments. Both buildings will adhere to "green" guidelines.

In accepting the award, Timothy S. Carey, president and CEO of the BPCA, said that these buildings "will play a key role in the way we live, the way we build, and the way we build in the future." Carey, who expects the buildings to set the standard for the 21st century, said that "We want competition, we want to sustain a market for green buildings. People are going to fight to live in these buildings. People are going to copy these buildings because they are the best that can be built." He also renewed the BPCA's pledge to affirmative action saying that "We have opportunities for everyone. We have reached the heights of sharing that no other authority in the nation has reached."

PWC granted Special Recognition Awards to its members. The Career Achievement award went to Constance "Connie" DeLaigle, senior minority business development/EEO administrator, JFKIAT/AMEC Construction Management, Inc. The award was presented by Harry Olsen and Chris Woods of LCOR. Woods praised DeLaigle for her "invaluable" efforts and noted that the award is "very well-deserved." DeLaigle thanked all her co-workers from AMEC and LCOR "who make my work possible."

Michele Medaglia, president of ACC Construction and a past PWC honoree, presented the Professional Achievement Award to Elizabeth Lavin, project executive with Donaldson Acoustics Co., Inc., noting that Lavin "has become recognized as a leader in her field and has achieved the respect and admiration of her peers."

Lina Gottesman, president of Altus Metal & Marble Maintenance and a past PWC honoree, presented the Business Owner Achievement Award to Reddy Kancharla, president of Testwell Laboratories, Inc. Gottesman commended his "vision and desire to expand the business."

Dickie Sykes, assistant vice president MBE/EEO with AMEC and a PWC board member, presented the Leadership Award to William A. Fife, P.E., corporate vice president -- director of aviation services, DMJM Harris. Said Sykes, "He's a visionary, he's innovative, he's creative, he's a leader who leads by example." Pointing out his major role in establishing PWC's extremely well-received series of breakfast seminars on aviation, she said, "He made PWC a leader in the field of airport construction."

Accepting the award, Fife commended the BPCA and noted that airports also need to "go green." He thanked his roots in the Port Authority and looked forward to many more PWC aviation seminars.

Janis also gave a special award to PWC Executive Vice President Theresa Vigilante, in recognition of her dedication on behalf of the organization and her vision in creating PWC's hugely successful, biannual golf outings. "We think you're a winner and appreciate all your efforts," said Janis.

Sponsors for the event were the Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority; AMEC/LCOR/FLUOR Daniels (all members of the team working on the JFK International Arrivals Terminal, or JEKIAT); Albanese Development Corp.; ACC Construction Corp.; Barney Skanska; DMJM Harris; Donaldson Acoustics Co.; and the NYC District Council of Carpenters.