Advocacy

AIA New York has offered its input and recommendations on numerous issues, offering our expertise as architects on City policy initiatives such as energy conservation, sustainability, resiliency, transit-orientated development, and projects of citywide significance: Moynihan Station, the expansion of the NYC Development HUB, preservation of the Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company building interior, and advocating for issues affecting the quality of the built environment and making New York a livable city. Listed below are the legislation and actions with a link to our testimony before the New York City Council, City Planning Commission, Landmarks Preservation Commission and other governmental agencies. A status update on the legislation or action is also included.

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• 2013   
• AIANY Testimony at City Planning Commission on Madison Square Garden   
  On April 10, 2013, AIANY Executive Director Rick Bell, FAIA, offered testimony at a City Planning Commission hearing on the applications to enable the continued operation of the Madison Square Garden Arena. While the Chapter is pleased with the possibility that the City Planning Commission will prescribe design requirements to all pedestrian-accessible open areas surrounding the arena, and acknowledges that Madison Square Garden is currently an important part of New York City's economy, it urges the Commission to consider limiting the approval of the permit to a period of 10 years or less, as opposed to the granting of a permanent extension.
  Download: MSG_CPC_4_10_2013.pdf
• A Platform for the Future of the City   
  With greater evidence on how the built environment impacts our lives, the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter (AIANY) has intensified its efforts to shape public policy. Long known for playing an advisory role to Mayoral administrations, agencies and the City Council, the organization is becoming more vocal. AIANY's major current effort is a 30-point "Platform for the Future of the City" to be considered by candidates running for office in New York this year.
  Download: 13_04.22 AIA Platform Booklet_Email.pdf
• 2012   
• AIANY Testimony on Int. 834-A   
  On Tuesday, August 21, AIANY Executive Director Rick Bell, FAIA, presented testimony before the New York City Council Committee on Environmental Protection to express strong support for Proposed Int. No. 834-A on Climate Resilience.
  Download: 08_21_12_Int 834_Climate_resilience_panel.pdf
• AIANY Testimony on Int. 694   
  On June 11, 2012, AIANY Executive Director Rick Bell presented testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Environmental Protection in support of Int. 694, a Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to facilitating the development of geothermal energy. The hearing was also organized to determine The Potential of Geothermal Energy in New York City and testimony was offered on the benefits of operating the Center for Architecture at 536 LaGuardia Place with geothermal ground source wells providing all of the energy for cooling of the 15,000 square foot space.
  Download: 06_11_12_testimony_int_694_geothermal_energy.pdf
• New York University Core Project   
  On June 29, 2012, AIANY Executive Director Rick Bell offered testimony at the New York City Council Land Use Sub-Committee hearing on the New York University Core Project applications.
  Download: 06_29_12_NYU_CC_Testimony.pdf
• Letter to the NYC Planning Commission regarding the NYU Core Project   
  AIANY provided testimony at the NYC Planning Commission hearing on the New York University Core Project application, recognizing New York University's need to expand to accommodate additional students while at the same time pointing out that it is critical to design the individual buildings so that they have both their own identities and are carefully knit into the existing urban fabric to accomplish this goal.
  Download: 4_24_2012_NYUCore_Project_letter_cpc.pdf
• AIANY Testimony on Citywide Zone Green Text Amendment   
  On February 29, 2012, AIANY Executive Director Rick Bell offered testimony at a City Planning Commission hearing on the Citywide Zone Green Text Amendment. While the Chapter supports the amendment, which seeks to remove barriers to the construction of green building features in the City of New York through modification of the Zoning Resolution we also offered comments for possible refinement or revision.
  Download: 02_29_12_zone_green_testimony.pdf
• AIANY Testimony on Int. 730   
  The AIA New York Chapter offered testimony before the New York City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings to outline concerns over the reporting requirements of Int. No. 730, a local law to amend the City's administrative code in relation to certain construction project information disclosures and its potential impacts on the profession.
  Download: 01_30_12_Int-730_testimony.pdf
• 2011   
• Letter to New York City Council regarding sustainability issues related to design and construction   
  The AIA New York Chapter wrote in strong support of legislation pending in the New York City Council which will address a variety of sustainability issues related to design and construction including indoor air quality, the allocation of space for recycling, and the diverse impacts of cement and asphalt. Introductions 576-A, 578-A, 585-A and 592-A will go a long way to significantly reduce carbon emissions. These bills were signed into law by Mayor Michael Bloomberg on December 27, 2011.
  Download: 11_23_11_green-codes_letter.pdf
• AIANY Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Aging and the Committee on Housing and Buildings   
  On November 30, 2011, the AIA New York Chapter, represented by Jerry Maltz, AIA and Rich Rosen, AIA Co-Chairs of the Design for Aging Committee, testified at a joint oversight hearing of the New York City Council's Committee on Aging and Committee on Housing and Buildings. The Co-Chairs presented fifteen recommendations on how the City can meet the housing needs of older New Yorkers.
  Download: 11_30_11_aging-housing_testimony.pdf
• AIANY Comments on High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Regulations   
  The AIA New York Chapter offered its position on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's proposed High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Regulations during the public comment period. Our testimony focused on expanding programs, funding and legislation to reduce energy use and support energy efficiency initiatives instead of continuing to degrade our environment.
  Download: 12_5_11_nysdep_letter.pdf
• AIANY Testimony at City Lobbying Commision   
  AIA Advocacy is mobilizing its forces to protect the profession and to effect change in proposed lobbying laws that would make architects register as lobbyists with the New York City Clerk!
  http://cfa.aiany.org/files/Lobbying_Response.pdf
  Download: Lobbying_Response.pdf
• Letter to Representatives Velasquez, Maloney, Rangel, and Nadler Opposing the BULB Act 's Proposed Repeal of Energy Efficiency Standards for Light Bulbs   
  On July 11, 2011 AIANY President Margaret Castillo, AIA, LEED, sent letters to four members of the New York Congressional delegation, urging them to oppose repeals to energy efficiency standards for light bulbs, which were established in 2007.
  Download: BULB_act_velazquez.pdf
  Download: bulb_act_maloney.pdf
  Download: bulb_act_rangel.pdf
• AIA New York Chapter Comments on Draft Scope of Work on Environmental Impact of NYU Core Project   
  On May 24, 2011 AIANY President Margaret Castillo, AIA, LEED, commented on the Draft Scope of Work issued by the Department of City Planning to prepare a draft environmental impact statement for the NYU Core Project.
  Download: Letter_DCP_Scoping_5_24_11.pdf
• Comment on the Department of Buildings' proposed new rule on benchmarking   
  On March 21, 2011 AIANY President Margaret Castillo, AIA, LEED, commented on the proposed new rule on benchmarking being offered by the Department of Buildings pursuant to Local Law 84.
  Download: comment_DOB_Benchmarking_Rule_3_21_2011.pdf
• Comment on the Department of Buildings' proposed " Amendment to Section 5000-01 of Title 1 of the Rules of the City of New York   
  On March 28, 2011 AIANY President Margaret Castillo, AIA, LEED, commented on the proposed Amendment to Section 5000-01 of Title 1 of the Rules of the City of New York, which ensures the New York City Energy Conservation Code remains as stringent as the 2010 State Energy Code.
  Download: comments_DOB_rule_NYCECC_3_28_2011.pdf