Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar has hailed the signing into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul of two new bills aimed at modernizing New York City’s procurement process, marking a significant step toward faster and more cost-effective infrastructure development.
The first bill, A8864, moves the city’s procurement process into the digital age by transitioning public comment from in-person hearings to an online platform. This change eliminates the outdated requirement for in-person meetings for contracts over $100,000. Rajkumar believes this reform will save an average of 20 days per project, accelerating the timeline for critical infrastructure initiatives such as affordable housing, transit, and schools.
“I am proud of my work in Albany to reimagine New York City’s procurement process so we can build our affordable housing, transit, schools, and power grid faster and cheaper. The Greatest City in the World deserves the greatest infrastructure, powered by the latest innovations in construction, design, and procurement,” Rajkumar said.
The bill also aims to streamline the approval process and remove bureaucratic barriers that have historically delayed projects. Rajkumar’s office estimates that this shift will help expedite public works projects, get construction started sooner, and deliver better value for taxpayers.
Alongside A8864, Rajkumar and her colleagues passed another bill, A10543, which authorizes the use of progressive design-build for City projects. This method allows the City to select a single entity for both design and construction from the outset, reducing delivery times and saving millions in taxpayer dollars. Under the traditional system, 64% of capital projects were delayed, with many running years behind schedule and exceeding budgets by a collective $54.5 billion.
“This innovative project delivery method allows the City to select a single entity for design and building from the start, shaving years off delivery times and saving millions in taxpayer dollars,” Rajkumar explained.
Rajkumar, who represents the 38th Assembly district, which includes Glendale, Ridgewood, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, and Ozone Park, is also currently campaigning to become New York City’s next Comptroller. She views the passage of these bills as a critical step in rethinking the City’s approach to infrastructure projects, ensuring they are completed more efficiently and within budget.
Mayor Eric Adams praised the signing of the legislation, noting that it would eliminate unnecessary delays in construction projects, benefiting New Yorkers and taxpayers. “If it seems like city construction projects take forever, and your street has been cracked open for years on end, there’s a reason why: archaic rules here in New York, that have been eliminated nearly everywhere else in the country, mandate that we go at a snail’s pace,” Adams said. “New Yorkers deserve better — and thanks to our Capital Process Reform Task Force and Governor Hochul, we’re delivering just that.”
Governor Kathy Hochul echoed the mayor’s sentiments, emphasizing her commitment to reducing red tape and increasing investment in communities. “From the moment I took office, I have been focused on cutting red tape to speed up investment in our communities,” Hochul said. “Signing alternative delivery into law allows the city to streamline projects, eliminating the unnecessary obstacles that stand in the way of creating more community investments and good-paying jobs.”
