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NYBC Honors Industry’s Best
By Nichole Altmix
The developer of the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan was among four individuals honored on Wednesday by the New York Building Congress for their contributions to the further development of New York City.
Larry Silverstein, president and CEO of Silverstein Properties joined Jack Rudin, chairman of Rudin Management Company; Amanda Burden, chair of the New York City Planning Commission and director of the Department of City Planning; and Denis Hughes, president of New York State American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations; as honorees at the NYBC’s 87th Anniversary Leadership Awards Luncheon.
Rudin, who was recognized for his contributions to the industry along with his philanthropy, received the Jack & Lewis Rudin Award for Industry Service to New York City. “Jack is somebody who had done so much in our city and anytime he has done anything he doesn’t do it first and foremost for how he can make money or what is best for his company, he does it thinking about what is best for the city,” said Luncheon guest New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.
Burden received the Special Recognition for Public Service award for her dedication to design excellence throughout New York. “When this administration took office in 2002, the planning challenges seemed formidable,” she said. “With [New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s] leadership, we have been able to rezone over 6,000 blocks and over 1/6 of the city, and we’re not finished.” She thanked NYBC and the industry for their support which helped “build consensus and build political support for our proposals [Hudson Yards, High Line elevated park, Greenpoint/Williamsburg Waterfront developments] which reflect both the needs of the communities and the realities of the market, creating private and public value simultaneously.”
NYBC honored Hughes, who was “humbled” to receive a Leadership Award for his labor contributions and union commitment to the industry. “We all have shared responsibilities to make this city work and to consult each other as we decide what our priorities are,” said Hughes. “The success of one cannot result from the failure of another. The labor movement is committed to being part of that partnership and together we can make this state work, this country work and this city work.” At AFL-CIO, Hughes is responsible for over 2 million union workers.
Lastly, Silverstein was recognized with a Leadership Award for his dedication to Lower Manhattan’s redevelopment and commitment to rejuvenating the World Trade Center area following September 11, 2001. “When there is a real purpose for getting something done, it’s amazing how people can coalesce and actually get it done,” he said. “So I look at the entire experience with [7 World Trade Center] and said that’s the way things should go, they should move efficiently and effectively and that is our mission to rebuild the Trade Center.”
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