NY Building Codes Could Raise Costs

by | Jun 14, 2013

This article is included in these additional categories:

New construction and major renovation projects in New York City could get more expensive under major changes to the city’s building codes, spurred by Hurricane Sandy. Hospitals and other key facilities would have to improve measures to protect windows from high winds, possibly costing hundreds of thousands of dollars per building, the New York Times reports. And the task force proposing the standards also called for toxic chemical storage to be limited to floodproof areas.

The city’s reaction to Sandy’s devastation has been strong. Georgetown Climate Center executive director Vicki Arroyo said New York’s approach has been the most comprehensive reaction to a major storm she has seen, covering issues including stormwater management and emergency power supplies. On Tuesday, mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled a $20 billion, 438-page storm protection plan. The money, for projects including power grid improvements, building renovations and shore defenses, is already 75 percent approved. And the cost of not taking action would be far greater, Bloomberg argued.

Tamar Wilner is Senior Editor at Environmental Leader PRO.

Picture credit: Pamela Andrade

Additional articles you will be interested in.

Stay Informed

Get E+E Leader Articles delivered via Newsletter right to your inbox!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Share This