Articles

    Articles

    9/15 DOB Taps Seasoned Architects as New Deputy Commissioner

    The DOB recently announced the appointment of Fred Mosher, Jr. to the position of Deputy Commissioner of Building Development. This is a new role, with the goal of streamlining the construction approval process through the Department. Mr. Mosher starts the role with three mandates: 1) To oversee construction plan examination operations across all five boroughs. 2) To manage new efforts to facilitate development City-wide. 3 To increase the overall efficiency of the construction plan review …read more

    9/15 LAA Filing Goes Virtual

    The DOB recently held a workshop specifically for Limited Alteration eFilings, and was conducted in anticipation of the September 26 expansion of the eFiling system. After the milestone, licensed master plumbers, licensed fire suppression contractors and licensed oil burner installers will be able to obtain LAA permits for Limited Standpipe, Sprinkler and Plumbing work, all without actually setting foot in the DOB. A few other items of importance were covered: 1. Asbestos forms are no …read more

    9/15 ZoLa Consolidates Online Zoning Information

    The City Planning Commission and the Department of Information Technology have teamed up on a new, user friendly Web Application, which brings zoning and land use information to everyone’s fingertips. The system is called ZoLa – a mashup of Zoning and Land Use – and it provides a very simple means of finding land use information through interactive maps. ZoLa offers rich functionality, and can provide easy access to up-to-date zoning information on the block …read more

    8/31 Opportunity and Issues of Accessory Space

    This past few days gave us a reminder of the importance of safety planning and the good things that come out of industry-wide coordination. Thanks go out to everyone who helped secure buildings, equipment, and job sites; great preparation and a little bit of good luck helped NYC dodge Hurricane Irene’s wrath. Now we’re days away from Labor Day, and the end of summer that fortunately went out with a whimper, rather than a bang. …read more

    8/30 Eat, Drink, and Be Merry, with a Quicker Permit

    It’s a known fact that the real estate industry and new restaurants rely on each other to succeed. Landlords almost always grant establishments free rent to cover the time needed for renovations. Yet an extra hurdle typically creates a friction point – the fact that by the time the DOB gets around to approving a project, the free rent has expired. So it’s good news for everyone that the DOB has launched an initiative to …read more

    8/25 DOB Aims for Refiling Sweep

    We’ve learned that the DOB intends to scrutinize inactive jobs and quite likely require them to refile. In a departure from typical process – the hard line in discussion is the time-line, rather than the state of the job – regardless of the approval process, or the work itself. This timeline appears to be either one or two years, depending on the status of permitting, and breaching the timeline with trigger a need to refile. …read more

    8/24 Elevator Log Sheet a Thing of the Past

    Requesting an issuance of an elevator sign off for a temporary C of O just went digital. As of last week, the DOB has eliminated the log sheet used for this request. Now, all requests must be made via email to elevatorcofo@buildings.nyc.gov When submitting your email request, please make sure to include your first and last name, phone number, address, 9 digit job number, and an indication of the type of sign-off – either temporary …read more

    8/22 Metropolis Group, Inc. Launches a Career Page

    Metropolis Group is proud to present a new Career Page on our website. We are always interested in acquiring new talent. All of our open job listings are posted here. Please feel free to stop by and take a look! Click Here to visit Metropolis Careers …read more

    7/29 Minimum Alteration Fees

    In line with the economy, the minimum fees for alteration application filing are rising. The range for all filing falls between $130 and $280, and the actual fee depends on the type of application and proposed building classification. For one, two or three family dwellings, the minimum application fee is $170 for Alt Type 1, and $130 for Alt Type 2 or 3. For all other building types, the Alt Type 1 fee is $280 …read more

    7/29 Sometimes Compliance Isn't The Only Solution

    At Metropolis Group, we’re constantly interfacing with the DOB to understand the seemingly constant changes to the compliance process. So it’s particularly interesting to us, and possibly even surprising, when we learn that the DOB has issued new guidelines which outline the possibilities of legally not complying. DOB Building Bulletin 2011-015, issued in late June, presents such a case. BB 2011-015 clarifies the possible conditions under which an alteration, renovation or repair may not need …read more

    « newer older »