Best of 2006 Awards

Meet the Best of 2006 Awards Jury

Our Best of 2006 awards jury members came from across the region, industry disciplines, and backgrounds.

The group, made up of top executives from contractors, design firms, developers, and associations, came together on a sunny Friday in September. The 12 panelists spent hours that day poring over more than 120 project submissions in nearly two dozen categories. They engaged in lively discussions, and ultimately singled out projects for the top honors of the year.

Along the way, engineers described technical aspects of structures, architects spoke about design vision and community context, and contractors delved into complexities of the building task to help each other understand the significance of the projects on the table.

We asked the members of this year’s jury to tell us about their favorite project in the region over the last 10 years. Some chose projects they worked on, while others described projects they deeply admired from a distance. A few answers stretched beyond our request’s basic parameters, but all of the jurors provided a taste of projects that, for one reason or another, captured their imaginations.

Susan Bacas

Senior Vice President, Ysrael A. Seinuk PC, New York

The only one that I have marveled over in the last 10 years is the Boston Big Dig. Although it’s not in the tri-state area, the size, complexity, manpower, and coordination was phenomenal.

Only when standing on the streets above surrounded by all the high rises can you feel the massive undertaking and risk involved. 

Jack Buchsbaum

Deputy Director of Design, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

My favorite project would be the JFK AirTrain in Queens. I chose this because, being a Port Authority project, I am very familiar with it, but mostly because I believe it has had a tremendous positive impact on the traveling public. Passenger counts have been much greater than we could have ever imagined, and they continue to grow.

Additionally, besides being, in my opinion, an impressive architectural project in Jamaica Station, the AirTrain was constructed over an operating railroad (LIRR) and a busy highway (Van Wyck) without significant impact on their operations and without adverse impacts on commuters.

Stephen DePalma

Chairman and CEO, Schoor DePalma, Manalapan, N.J.

My favorite is a Schoor DePalma project in New Jersey that provided preliminary engineering for 2 mi. of new roadway and ramps, including 15 bridge structures, to create a connection between the Atlantic City Expressway and the northern end of Atlantic City and Brigantine.

The 35,000-lin.-ft. project involved development of a series of alternative route studies for proposed casinos in the marina section of Atlantic City, from the Atlantic City Expressway to the boardwalk. It also provided for the significant increase in traffic associated with new casino construction and developed alignments that minimized impact on residential areas. 

Paul Finamore

Vice President and Project Executive, Bovis Lend Lease, New York

I was a part of the Bovis team that built New York Presbyterian Hospital’s Greenberg Pavilion, completed in 1996. It involved building 800,000 sq. ft. over the FDR Drive in Manhattan, renovations of occupied floors, a complete eight-story gut renovation, and comprehensive infrastructure programs.

It began in the early 1990’s, and given the economic slowdown during this period, it allowed the project staffing, from architects to contractors, to be the cream of the crop in the industry. It was just a wonderful experience for everyone, and the relationships continue to this day with all the people who came together on that project.

Thomas Fridstein

CEO, Hillier Architecture, Princeton, N.J.

Icahn Stadium, the track and field stadium on Randall’s Island in New York, is my favorite, because it is an ambitious and exciting statement of architecture and structure while creating an iconic public facility.

Michael Gabbay

Senior Vice President, Core and Shell Construction, Plaza Construction, New York

My favorite is the Central Park Zoo Rehabilitation.

(The major restoration-rebuilding project finished in 1988 and the Children’s Zoo rehabilitation was in 1997).

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Jane Gladstein

President, Gladstein Development Group, New York

If pressed to pick just one project, it would be Lord Norman Foster’s Hearst Tower building. It’s dynamic and its incorporation of the existing structure into an extraordinarily ingenious geometry above is such a brilliant scheme.

The outstanding aesthetic of the property, coupled with its environmental sensitivity, really make it the most carefully planned and executed new building in New York.

Gary Handel

Partner, Handel Architects, New York

The Morgan Library in Manhattan is my favorite. Renzo Piano’s project reflects my philosophy towards city-making that incorporates the best of the past with progressive, forward-looking design.

Angela Morello Lange

Vice President, American Subcontractors Association of New Jersey, Edison; President, Landmark Fire Protection, Pine Brook, N.J.

I have two favorites. The first one is the Statue of Liberty Re-Opening Project, which entailed upgrading safety, fire, and emergency notification systems; creating additional exits from the statue’s base; and enhancing visitor safety measures throughout the statue. The statue was closed to the public from Sept. 11, 2001 until July 2004, when the improvement project was completed.

For me, it was a privilege to be one of a handful of entities involved in the mission to restore public access to Lady Liberty, one of our nation’s greatest monuments. The second was completed exactly 10 years ago – the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Not only is this world-class facility magnificent, its presence has sparked a revitalization of the surrounding areas. This is a classic example of a project that never stops giving.

Terrence O’Neal

President, American Institute of Architects, New York State Chapter; Principal, Terrence O’Neal Architect, New York

The Morgan Library in Manhattan has always been one of my favorite buildings, and now, with Renzo Piano’s recently completed renovation, it is even better. The original library on East 36th Street by McKim, Mead, and White is perfectly proportioned and the interior is a wonderful space to experience. The addition maintains the character of the original library without replicating its architectural language.

Ross Pepe

President, Construction Industry Council and Building Contractors Association, Tarrytown, N.Y.

My favorite is Interchange 8 of the New York State Thruway and Cross Westchester Expressway (I-287) in Westchester County. The project was a huge undertaking to excavate, blast, and remove hundreds of thousands of yards of rock and earth to realign the movement of more than 100,000 vehicles per day from the Tappan Zee Bridge in Tarrytown to Port Chester, N.Y. It added new lanes, flyovers, and extensive retaining and noise walls – all while maintaining six active traffic lanes.

Constructed by Yonkers Contracting of Yonkers, N.Y., on an around-the-clock schedule, the project was completed ahead of schedule and is credited with substantial reduction of commuter travel times through the corridor.

Jeffrey Zogg

Executive Director, General Building Contractors of New York State, Albany, N.Y.