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Brodsky Organization Selects Winick Realty Group LLC As Representation
Winick Realty Group LLC announced that president Steven E. Baker has been named the exclusive broker for two prime retail properties on behalf of the Brodsky Organization.

“I am proud to continue my long-standing relationship with the Brodsky Organization and represent these two fantastically-situated spaces on their behalf,” said Baker.

Along with his associate Sam Mann, Baker is marketing the former Swich Sandwich shop at 104 Eighth Avenue, located between 15th and 16th Streets in the heart of Chelsea. With 20 feet of frontage on Eighth Avenue, the space boasts 1,250 square feet of space on the ground floor and a 350-square-foot basement. All uses are accepted and prospective tenants will benefit from an influx of foot traffic as 104 Eighth Avenue sits “directly across the street from Google’s new three-million-square-foot headquarters,” noted Baker.

Baker is also working to bring a food tenant to the 2,850-square-foot retail space at 39 West End Avenue, between 61st and 62nd Streets. “This space is in the heart of an ever-growing residential neighborhood in the far west 60s. There are upwards of 2,500 apartments in the area, not to mention foot traffic from Lincoln Center, Fordham University, CBS Studios, Roosevelt Hospital and the Time Warner Center,” said Baker. “We are giving a food operator the chance to be the only game in town.”

Joanne Minieri To Step Down As President Of Forest City Ratner Companies
Forest City Ratner Companies today announced that Joanne Minieri will be stepping down as President of the New York subsidiary of Forest City Enterprises, Inc., to open her own consulting firm to advise real estate development and financial services companies. Ms. Minieri, who has played a defining role in the company’s strategic growth and success since joining the firm in1995, will continue to serve as a consultant on major projects for FCRC.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Joanne Minieri, a CPA, joined Forest City Ratner Companies as Chief Financial Officer, and over 17 years her responsibilities expanded to include leading development and operations of the Brooklyn-based real estate company. She was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 1998 and to her current position as President and Chief Operating Officer in 2007.

Ms. Minieri’s responsibilities included overseeing all aspects of the company's day to day operation and risk management. She played a key role in developing the company’s long term strategy and assessing business development opportunities.

During her tenure, FCRC’s signature successes have included the development of marquee projects like the Renzo Piano-designed New York Times Company headquarters and the Frank Gehry-designed New York by Gehry at Eight Spruce Street in Manhattan. Ms. Minieri’s leadership was key to the success of large-scale, complex projects, especially the acquisition, management and disposition of the New Jersey NETS franchise as well as the closing of the mixed-use Atlantic Yards project in Downtown Brooklyn. Her skills and determination led to the long-awaited groundbreaking of the Barclays Center arena complex, a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue scheduled to open in the summer of 2012.

Forest City Ratner Companies CEO Bruce Ratner said, “What Joanne has accomplished on behalf of this company is truly extraordinary. Her tenacity and vision allowed us to weather the challenges of this economy, to think big and keep new, inspiring projects in the pipeline while ensuring we had equity and fiscal discipline to make it all happen. She truly loves her hometown, and because of Joanne’s work, New York City is changed forever for the better.”

Charles Ratner, CEO of Forest City Enterprises expressed, “With her depth of knowledge and expertise, Joanne helped build a great franchise and presence for our company in the New York City market. She was also instrumental in assembling a tremendous team in New York, and was a dedicated and trusted colleague and partner.”

Said Ms. Minieri, “As a New Yorker, my tenure at Forest City has been a dream come true. I could not have asked for a more inspiring portfolio of projects. With the support of a dedicated and talented team, I have been afforded the opportunity to work on projects that have tremendous public value and I will always be proud of what we have achieved in Brooklyn and throughout the City. I am pleased to be leaving at a time with many challenges behind us, and so many signature projects successfully completed. It is with a deep sense of gratitude that I look forward to contributing to the company’s future success in my new consulting role.”

Ms Minieri is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the NYS Society of Certified Public Accountants. In addition to her numerous awards and achievements, she is on the Board of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, the Brooklyn Museum and NEW (Non Traditional Employment for Women).

Choose NJ Leader Speaks At IOREBA Event
The 19th Annual Office Developers’ and Investors’ Night of the Industrial and Office Real Estate Brokers Association of the New York Metropolitan Area Inc. (IOREBA) provided members with the opportunity to network, as well as to hear the views of the newest addition to the cast of professionals working to improve New Jersey's business climate.

"We are very pleased to welcome Tracye McDaniel, the President and CEO of Choose New Jersey," said Gil Medina, Executive Managing Director of Cushman and Wakefield, Inc. in East Rutherford. "Formerly Executive Vice President of the Greater Houston Partnership in Texas, she will discuss New Jersey's ongoing plans to attract and retain business."

McDaniel lauded the administration of Gov. Chris Christie for, "making the tough choices to create a pro-growth climate. His administration's bold moves have created an effective partnership for action, dedicated to developing policy initiatives, and ultimately putting the customer—the business community—first."

In addition to the privately funded Choose New Jersey, which combines public and private sector resources, the "Partnership For Action" also includes the State's new Business Action Center, a consolidated one-stop shop for business approvals, and the New Jersey EDA.

"Does New Jersey really have a reality problem?" McDaniel asked. "I think it has a perception problem. To counteract that, we have a three-year financial plan, we are developing a business model, and we are currently surveying 4,000 senior executives as a means of producing an action plan and developing a snapshot of what New Jersey should look like in three years."

Noting that she needs to, "reach out to each one of you and ask what your action plan would be," McDaniel turned the tables during the question-and-answer period by asking her audience a series of questions. Her queries included: "What are New Jersey's strengths? What are its weaknesses? What is the single most important change you would make? Who are New Jersey's major competitors? What are the growth industries? How would you describe New Jersey to a business person?"

The 2011 ACE Mentor Luncheon Scholarship Fund Raiser Raises $290,500
Leaders from New York City’s public and private sectors gathered at the Union League Club for the 16th annual luncheon of the ACE (Architects, Constructors, Engineers) Mentor Program of Greater New York on May 5 to award 68 scholarship awards, totaling $151,000, to outstanding graduates of its 2010-2011 program season. In addition to the $220,000 raised from the luncheon tickets, at the luncheon an additional $60,000 was awarded to the Dr. Charles H. Thornton-ACE Mentor Program Class of 2015 Scholar and another $12,500 was awarded to two ACE students by the Contractor’s Association of Greater New York for a total of $290,500.

With a mission to increase awareness of high school students to rewarding career opportunities in architecture, construction and engineering, The ACE Program, which enrolled close to 600 students this year, brings together industry professionals who volunteer to mentor high school students and provide career guidance. The sold-out event—generously underwritten by AECOM; ENRNew York; RCDolner; LLC; STV, Inc; and Turner—featured moving remarks by the scholarship recipients and the luncheon honorees, three leaders representing both the public and private sectors:
Jane A. Chmielinski, Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Officer, AECOM Technology Corporation
Caswell F. Holloway, Commissioner, New York City Department of Environmental Protection
Andrew M. Hlushko, P.E., LEED AP, Vice President, Collado Engineering, P.C.

“The ACE Scholarship Fund provides our most deserving graduates with scholarships, helping them to reach their personal career goals and contribute to the rich ACE legacy,” noted Milo Riverso, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Our generous scholarship program inspires some of our best students to take their careers to the next level—and become the next generation of innovators and leaders in the ACE professions.”

Brodsky Organization Selects Winick to Represent Two Retail Exclusives
Winick Realty Group LLC announced that president Steven E. Baker has been named the exclusive broker for two prime retail properties on behalf of the Brodsky Organization.

“I am proud to continue my long-standing relationship with the Brodsky Organization and represent these two fantastically-situated spaces on their behalf,” said Baker.

Joanne Minieri to step down as President of Forest City Ratner Companies
Forest City Ratner Companies today announced that Joanne Minieri will be stepping down as President of the New York subsidiary of Forest City Enterprises, Inc., to open her own consulting firm to advise real estate development and financial services companies. Ms. Minieri, who has played a defining role in the company’s strategic growth and success since joining the firm in1995, will continue to serve as a consultant on major projects for FCRC.

SunLight General Capital Announces Completion of Bergen County Solar Installation
SunLight General Capital, the region’s premier solar energy developer and financer, today announced the completion of two solar electric power generating projects in Bergen County, N.J. Installed at county municipal facilities at a capital cost of $3.5 million, the projects were completed at no expense to Bergen County taxpayers, and will generate approximately 850,000 kilowatt hours each year.

Installed by renewable energy installation contractor Pfister Energy, the project allows Bergen County to purchase electricity at a discounted price. Over a 15-year period, the county is guaranteed savings of approximately $250,000, and as much as an additional $1 million if utility prices continue increasing at historic rates.

Under the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), SunLight General financed and owns the solar electric generating projects — a rooftop facility at the Prosecutor’s Office in Paramus, NJ and a large and innovative parking canopy structure at the County Seat of Government in Hackensack, NJ — and will provide clean, renewable energy to Bergen County, at prices substantially lower than the utility rates.

“With the installation of these projects completed, Bergen County will begin reaping the benefits of this cost effective and environmentally responsible solution to its energy needs,” stated Stacey Hughes, managing partner of SunLight General Capital. “We are one of the only solar developers with in-house access to financing through our investment fund, SunLight General Solar Fund, and we were therefore able to deliver a timely and cost-effective proposal to Bergen County. Our mission is and will continue to be to promote environmental responsibility and energy independence, while at the same time offering significant cost savings to our public and private customers.”

Not only do these construction projects bring much-needed jobs to the state, but also the clean energy produced is comparable to saving 670 tons of carbon dioxide per year or 130 acres of forestland.

Ecoluxury Group Launched To Enhance Luxury and Sustainable Design Market
The EcoLuxury Group (ELG) has been launched to provide full service consulting, design and construction services to residential and commercial clients interested in green, high quality renovation and new construction. The EcoLuxury Group focuses on enhancing occupant health, comfort and productivity while maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts. This collaborative group of architectural design, engineering, environmental health, technology and construction firms provides comprehensive knowledge and hands-on expertise in the rapidly growing field of high performance building.

Available services include Architectural Design; Interior Design; Mechanical Engineering; Healthy Design & Consultation; Energy Auditing; LEED, NAHB & Energy Star Design & Consultation; Integrated Building Automation; Landscape Architecture; Alternative Energy; Deconstruction; Renovation & New Construction; Construction Management and Owner's Representation.

Robert Politzer, cofounder of the EcoLuxury Group makes the point that “building owners and tenants are now able to procure green, high performance luxury homes and commercial spaces at a reasonable cost.”

EcoLuxury Group unites the resources of Greenstreet Inc., eInteractive for technology design and installation, Gerner Kronick+Valcarcel, Architects PC, Lilker Associates Consulting Engineers, AKA Construction Consulting, LLC and Environmental Risk & Loss Control, Inc. for environmental assessments. All of these disciplines are available to support your needs as well as our carefully vetted affiliate members.

EcoLuxury Group is a recently formed group of multi-disciplined design and construction professionals based in New York City. The members of the group are licensed in many states and provide environmentally responsible services for new and renovated residential, commercial, institutional and retail facilities. Contact EcoLuxury Group at info@ecoluxurygroup.com or visit our website at www.ecoluxurygroup.com.

Hollister Construction Services Completes Allendale Town Center Redevlopment
Hollister Construction Services, a leading full-service general contractor and construction manager specializing in industrial, commercial and retail construction, today announced that it has completed the redevelopment of Allendale Town Center, a 90,000-square-foot shopping center at 35-63 West Allendale Avenue in Allendale, N.J.

Designed by Ives, Schier & Lesser architecture studio, the project, which received a first-place award in Mid-Atlantic Real Estate Journal’s Retail Design Competition, involved renovating 20 individual, single-story retail stores that range in size from approximately 1,000 to 38,000 square feet. Tenants include A&P FRESH, TD Bank, Dairy Queen, Great Clips, Darla’s Porch Family Café, and Learning Express.

“The redevelopment of Allendale Town Center was a complicated project, as it involved considerable coordination in order to provide contractors with access to each individual store while also providing safety to the public and keeping the center open for business,” stated Chris Johnson, CEO of Hollister Construction Services. “The new storefronts and updated facades are now more in character with the community and are very inviting to the public.”

“Allendale Town Center is an interesting project,” Johnson said. “It has many different construction elements that blend together beautifully to meet the goal of creating an atmosphere that’s both visually pleasing and highly functional.”

The Hollister project team responsible for the successful completion of this assignment is Project Executive John Brucker, Field Project Manager Tom Herwood, and Project Administrator Maria Parrella.

EPA Proposes to Add Garfield Ground Water Contamination Site to the Superfund
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed to add the Garfield Ground Water Contamination site in Garfield, NJ to its Superfund National Priorities List of the country’s most hazardous waste sites. Ground water underneath this commercial and residential area is contaminated with hexavalent chromium and is seeping into area basements. For the past two years, EPA has been addressing the immediate threats to people’s health posed by the contaminated ground water. A Superfund designation will allow EPA to fully investigate the contamination and develop a long-term cleanup plan. Hexavalent chromium is extremely toxic. It may cause cancer and can have other serious health impacts, including nervous system damage.

“While we have kept people out of immediate danger by monitoring and cleaning up the basements of homes and businesses in this community, we need a long-term solution to the ground water contamination in Garfield,” said Judith Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. “By placing the site on the Superfund list, EPA can do the extensive sampling needed to determine the best ways to remediate the pollution.”

The Garfield Ground Water Contamination site is located in Garfield, Bergen County, NJ and is bordered by Van Winkle Avenue to the north, Monroe Street to the south, Sherman Place to the east, and the Passaic River to the west. In the fall of 2008, at the request of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), EPA began its investigation of potential chromium contaminated ground water in Garfield.

Initial surveys of homes and businesses were done to determine which buildings had basements, water seeping into them, or sump pumps so that samples could be taken. EPA surveyed or inspected nearly 500 properties potentially impacted by the contamination. The survey and inspection information was used to determine which basements were in need of sampling. Samples were taken from approximately 270 properties that were identified as having ground water infiltration problems.

Proposing this site to the Superfund list offers the best course of action to protect human health and clean up the pollution. EPA periodically proposes sites to the Superfund National Priorities List and, after responding to public comments, designates them as final Superfund sites.

PWC To Honor World's Largest Clean Water Project
On March 31, Professional Women in Construction (PWC) NY will celebrate its annual Awards Reception by honoring a landmark $1.4 billion, 150,000 sf project currently under construction – The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)’s Ultraviolet Disinfection Plant which, when completed in 2012, will be the world’s largest such municipal treatment plant supplying over 90% of New York City’s drinking water. Being constructed in nearby Westchester County – Mount Pleasant, NY – it will be 10 times larger than any facility previously built and capable of treating two billion gallons of water daily.

PWC President Lenore Janis notes, “Our Awards Reception is historically a prime opportunity for attendees to mix and mingle with industry leaders from the public and private sectors and this one promises to outdo past efforts due to the tremendous mix of professionals involved in this enormous project.”

The UV Disinfection Plant project team being honored at the PWC event will include representatives from: the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); Joint venture (JV) general contracting team (Skanska USA Civil, ECCO III and JF White); JV design and engineering team (Hazen and Sawyer and Camp, Dresser and McGee); JV construction management team (Malcolm Pirnie and CH2M Hill); Welsback Electric; LJ Coppola Inc.

PSE&G's Linden Solar Farm Turns A Brownfield Green
Linden solar panels Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is marking construction of its Linden Solar Farm on the doorstep of PSEG’s Linden Generating Station. The 3.2-megawatt facility is one of four ground-mounted solar farms that PSE&G is developing as part of its $515 million Solar 4 All™ program. It is one of three solar farms being built on former brownfields that have been returned to a useful role.

The Linden farm is one of more than 20 solar projects that PSE&G is developing through its Solar 4 All program, with a total investment of more than $140 million that will create almost 300 jobs and provide New Jersey with 30 megawatts of solar-generated power.

“The Linden Solar Farm shows how the benefits of solar power extend far beyond just producing clean, carbon-free electricity,” said Al Matos, PSE&G’s vice president of renewables and energy solutions. “This project exemplifies PSE&G’s environmental commitment and its leadership position in renewable energy. We are giving new life to a once-contaminated site.”

Linden rooftop workers “With our solar arrays here in Linden, as well as those in Edison and Trenton, we are helping to turn brownfields green – and give these long-dormant sites a new purpose,” Matos continued. “By the end of this year, these three solar farms will be providing enough electricity to power about 1,000 average-sized homes, while creating jobs and helping New Jersey to become a major player in the renewable energy sector.”

The Linden Solar Farm will be connected directly to the electric grid for the benefit of all PSE&G electric customers. The solar farm will produce enough electricity to power about 525 average-sized homes

PSE&G is developing the four ground-mounted solar farms on PSE&G-owned properties in Linden, Yardville (4.4 megawatts), Edison (2 megawatts) and Trenton (1.3 megawatts). Each will be among New Jersey’s largest solar farms. The sites will utilize crystalline solar panel technology and have monitoring and communications functionality. In addition, PSE&G is building a 1-megawatt solar system on the roof of its Central Electric headquarters in Somerset, N.J., and a 700-kilowatt solar system at its Edison Training and Development Center facility in Edison, N.J. There also are four solar systems built on the grounds of five Newark Public Schools as part of the Solar 4 All program.

R3 Energy Talks Sustainability With Irving Spodek, COO, Clinton Management
R3 Energy: What was one of the first steps you took in making your properties more energy efficient?

Irving: First, I retrofitted all common area lighting with compact fluorescents. Then, I installed motion detectors in common areas where lighting isn’t needed all the time, such as the garbage chute room. The first move should always be to eliminate unnecessary lighting because you’ll see instant reduction in your electricity usage.

R3 Energy: What end result of your energy efficient measures that you have implemented for your properties stands out?

Irving: Definitely lower utility bills. Lower utility bills means savings, who wouldn’t be happy with savings?

R3 Energy: How do you see federal and state plans impacting energy efficiency and sustainability, for example the NYC Greener Greater Buildings Plan?

Irving: The federal and state plans are on the right path, but more needs to be done. It’s a great start that certain mandatory measures, such as benchmarking, are being directed at public and private buildings of 50,000 square feet or larger. Hopefully as the Plan continues to take shape, smaller buildings will be included.

R3 Energy: Did the club scene in the area inspire the development of Ohm?

Irving: Yes, the Chelsea night life is reflected with the colorful lighting effects, the chic furniture, and of course the lobby stage for DJs and bands. We wanted Ohm to be energetic, and vibrant - a building that excites people. I think we did a great job capturing that exhilarating feeling.

R3 Energy: Being across the street from the Highline instantly sets the eco-conscious tone walking into the multi-level lobby. We took a peek into some of the apartments and gave the thumbs up for the building providing ENERGY STAR appliances. We couldn’t help but end up on the sky deck where the final touches were being put on the green roof. Aside from wanting to pull out a lounge chair and take in the views, this greening feature adds insulation to the building, controls storm water runoff, and helps control carbon dioxide levels.

All in, the Ohm definitely gets R3 Energy’s glance of approval.

R3 Energy Management is an energy consulting firm that has provided intelligent energy efficiency solutions to commercial and residential portfolios in New York and New Jersey since 1997. For more information, please visit us online.

2011 BOMA Officers BOMA/NY Officers Return For Another Year of Leadership
Unanimity marked the recent BOMA/NY elections for new officers, with the current administration returning to lead for another year beginning January 1, 2011. Continuing through 2011 will be: President - Edward M. Fallon, RPA (Brookfield Office Properties); Vice President - Louis J. Mantia (Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.), Treasurer - Thomas L. Hill, RPA (Boston Properties, Inc.) and Secretary - James R. Kleeman, RPA (Related Management Co. LP).

Stepping up the pace of work in 2011, BOMA/NY will devote time to remember the fallen of 9/11 as it commemorates the tenth anniversary of the most devastating day in New York City real estate history. Preliminary plans are now being made for the event, set for September 14th.

AREW Charitable Fund Awards 2010 Scholarships
AREW luncheon for scholarship recipients The AREW Charitable Fund, a not-for-profit affiliate of the Association of Real Estate Women, recently announced its 2010 scholarship recipients.

Two of the recipients, Lauren F. Jezienicki, Columbia Business School (third from left) and Leanne Tomar, New York University (fifth from left) attended a recent AREW luncheon with Charitable Fund board members Madelyne Kirch, Sun & Moon Marketing Communications; Stephanie Butler, Horizon Land Services; Theresa Nygard, KTR Real Estate Advisors; Mary Williamson, HDR CUH2A, Rita Pierre, Berdon; and AREW president Debra Cole, Perkins + Will. A third scholarship was awarded to a student at Baruch College.

The AREW Charitable Fund awards scholarships to deserving students who are enrolled in institutions of higher learning in the field of real estate and related disciplines and are in need of financial assistance. Over $185,000 in scholarships have been awarded since the founding of the AREW Charitable Fund in 1989.

Econsult Corporation Releases Jersey Shore Housing Report
Econsult released a new report examining trends in the housing market at the New Jersey Shore. Titled the “Jersey Shore House Price Indices,” the report measures and tracks the critical statistics characterizing the state of the housing market along the Jersey Shore.

Critical findings include that: “House price declines for most Shore dwellings during the current downturn have exceeded both regional and national averages by substantial margins. From the market’s peak, both the average U.S. home and average New Jersey home have declined by 14%, while the average Shore home is down in price by 30%.”

Among the statistics reported are: median house prices, average house price movements, home sales activity, housing inventories and others. The report covers the communities along the southern New Jersey Shore from Brigantine to Cape May. It joins Econsult’s “Philadelphia House Price Indices” and “Philadelphia Regional House Price Indices” among its product lines of reports that gives timely and accurate research on the state of the region’s housing market.

The report is made possible through the generous support of Prudential, Fox & Roach and the cooperation of the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute for Urban Research. The report is available for free download.

Bid On The City Launches Real Estate Bidding Platform In Russia
Bid on the City, www.bidonthecity.com, the first and only online real estate trading platform for luxury residential and commercial real estate announced that it is has launched its bidding platform in Russia. Bid on the City partnered with Russia’s top business media source, Ros Business Consultants [RBC] and Global Advertising Strategies, a leading international marketing agency. The newly launched company is to be called Bid in the City. When this site is accessed from Russia, viewers will see listings for Russian properties. They will also have a choice to see properties from Bid on the City’s other locations. The site is in both Russian and English.

The first bidding event will include ten luxury properties for sale in luxury developments outside of Moscow. The properties' starting prices will range from RUB24,500,000 to RUB77,000,000 (US$800,000 to US$2,600,000). The event will take place live in Moscow and online in real time on December 11, 2010. Some properties will not have any reserve set, allowing buyers to get the best possible prices. This marks the first time the firm will be using the Dutch auction method for sales properties. A Dutch auction, also known as reverse auction, has a starting price that keeps going lower until there is a bid. Unlike traditional (English) bidding in which the price goes up and bidders have an opportunity to increase their bids, the dynamics for a Dutch auction are very different. The first bid is the final bid.

Bid on the City [BOTC] first launched in Manhattan in April 2009 to great success and has since expanded to the Hamptons and Westchester. This is the firm’s first international division

One Gateway Center Selected as ‘Outstanding Building of the Year’
Advance Realty, a leading Northeast U.S. owner and developer of Class A office, mixed-use and flex-space properties, has announced that One Gateway Center, the company’s strategically located office tower in downtown Newark, N.J., has received “The Outstanding Building of the Year” (TOBY) honor from the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of New Jersey.

BOMA’s annual TOBY awards recognize quality in office buildings and excellence in building management. The recognition program is the commercial real estate industry’s most prestigious and comprehensive program of its kind. Buildings are judged on management practices for life safety, tenant services, green building initiatives and community involvement.

This is the second time that BOMA has honored One Gateway Center for the TOBY Award in the “500,000-1,000,000 Square Feet” category. Advance Realty was also presented the award in 2007.

The Actors Fund Housing Development Corporation Launches Survey
The Actors Fund Housing Development Corporation (AFHDC) launched an online survey to assess the need for affordable housing for individuals engaged in all aspects of the performing arts and entertainment industries. The survey will provide the AFHDC with essential information to support its development of affordable housing to serve the needs of the performing arts and entertainment community in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. The AFHDC urges all performing arts and entertainment professionals in the region to participate in the online survey at www.ActorsFundHousingSurvey.org

The results of the affordable housing survey will provide critical information regarding the demand for affordable housing as well as insight into preferred locations and the type of facilities that will contribute to the creative lives of its residents.

“Actors, dancers and musicians have median incomes below $24,000 per year and only a small percentage have full time work,” said Scott Weiner, President and CEO of the AFHDC. “The need for affordable housing is present in a wide range of income levels and work experience from established veterans to those just starting their careers. I urge everyone who is active in any aspect of the performing arts and entertainment fields to take this quick survey so we can better understand, demonstrate and respond to their need for affordable housing.”

Established in 2009 as a subsidiary of The Actors Fund, the AFHDC is charged with the mission to develop affordable, supportive and senior housing for performing arts and entertainment professionals that improves lives, creates jobs, fosters economic development and revitalizes communities.

The AFHDC is actively evaluating affordable housing development opportunities in New York City, Newark, NJ and Los Angeles, CA. A hallmark of AFHDC developments is the integration of, among other things, affordable live/work spaces for creative professionals, rehearsal facilities and a performance space.

EPA Administrator to Testify on Toxic Chemicals and Children’s Health
EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson testified in a field hearing held by the Senate Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health on toxic chemical’s and children’s environmental health. The hearing was called by New Jersey Senator Frank R. Lautenberg and will examine the science on the environmental health effects from children’s exposure to toxic chemicals.

The EPA is observed Children’s Health Month throughout October, in part to continue its ongoing efforts to inform parents, teachers and caregivers about environmental issues affecting children, how they are being addressed more effectively at the local and national level, and the simple actions they can take to help keep children healthy.

Federal Administrator Mendez Helps Break Ground on Staten Island Expressway
Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez joined state and local officials in breaking ground on the Staten Island Expressway access improvements project, which received $39.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the largest recipient of Recovery Act highway dollars in the state.

“New York is the biggest, busiest city in the country and we want to keep its people and goods moving,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Recovery Act dollars will help relieve traffic congestion on the Staten Island Expressway and keep New Yorkers on the go while creating jobs in the city.”

Work involves adding lanes and ramps, widening overpasses and realigning and leveling the sharpest and steepest curves on a 1.9-mile section of highway between Lily Pond Road and Clove Road. Work will also include extending bus lanes and demolishing unused overpasses. The total project cost is $74.8 million.

The Staten Island Expressway is the main commuter and freight corridor in Staten Island and one of the most heavily traveled highways in New York City, carrying up to 190,000 vehicles each day. The project will ease what is known as the "Bradley Avenue backup," which brings traffic to a crawl most hours of the day.

“Residents and commuters will spend less time stuck in traffic and get where they need to go more quickly,” said Administrator Mendez. “This investment from the Recovery Act will reduce congestion and the new jobs will help stimulate the city’s economy.”

Of the more than $26.6 billion in Recovery Act highway money available nationwide, New York received more than $1.1 billion. As of September 10, money had been obligated for 443 projects, with 261 currently underway and 149 completed in the state.

New ULI Report Explores Factors That Will Reshape Urban Growth in Years Ahead
In the midst of economic uncertainty, there are still some elements of certainty – such as demographic shifts, financial industry restructuring, global competitiveness, and sustainable building – that will guide real estate investment and reshape urban growth trends in the years ahead, according to a new report from the Urban Land Institute (ULI).

Finding Certainty in Uncertain Times, a collection of commentaries from ULI’s five senior resident fellows Stephen Blank, Edward McMahon, John McIlwain, Thomas Murphy and Michael Horst, examines trends in population growth, consumer housing preferences, employment, real estate finance, environmental conservation, energy efficiency, venture capital investment and public leadership. These factors, according to Finding Certainty, are converging to shape a new era of urban economics within which cities and urban regions will have to compete in order to be successful in the 21st century. “These trends will continue regardless of location, of which political party is in power, and of how quickly we recover from the recession,” says the report. “Taken collectively, they will create the ‘new normal.’"

Horst also credits regional growth visioning involving the public and private sector as key to engaging civic stakeholders who will champion urban investment and overcome “not-in-my-backyard” (NIMBY) paralysis. He cites regional cooperation initiatives in cities as diverse as Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; New York City; San Diego; Seattle; San Francisco; Honolulu; Raleigh; Austin; Charlotte; San Jose; Boston; Portland (Ore.); Sacramento; and Orlando as illustrative of the public and private sector working together to craft a long-term growth strategy that fosters a positive investment context.

EPA Provides Money to Help Find More Answers for Paterson, NJ Community
Advancing its work protecting human health and addressing concerns of vulnerable communities, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced $158,000 in new funding for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to conduct additional air monitoring in Paterson (Passaic County), N.J. after an earlier EPA funded study showed elevated levels of 8 air toxics in the local environment. The information collected will help environmental officials better address public exposure to, and risk from, hazardous air pollutants.

Under an earlier Urban Community Air Toxics Monitoring Project, funded with $495,000 of EPA grant money, the NJDEP tracked air toxics coming from industrial, commercial and mobile sources in the highly industrialized urban community of Paterson, the state’s third most populous city. Air toxics, also called hazardous air pollutants, are pollutants that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects or adverse environmental impacts. Paterson has a high population density and an elevated level of asthma in children living in the area.

“We are glad to do our part to address the health concerns of the Paterson community and ensure that we reduce pollution in highly vulnerable areas,” said Judith Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. “Reducing exposure to such toxins is a part of EPA’s mission. The further air monitoring that we are funding will help NJDEP identify and eliminate significant emissions of air toxics that can threaten the health of the community. Air monitoring is an effective tool which helps us assess air quality and protect people’s health.”

Upon conclusion of the new air monitoring, the data will be analyzed by the state and NJDEP will share its results with the community.

Learn more about EPA’s efforts to reduce air pollution in NJ, visit: http://www.epa.gov/region02/air