Opportunity Downtown is a program administered by the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center to ensure that minorities and women have unimpeded access to the employment, contracting, and subcontracting opportunities that are created as part of the Lower Manhattan rebuilding effort.

The program has three primary goals: to alert minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) to contracting and subcontracting opportunities associated with downtown construction; to connect interested individuals -- minorities, women, and veterans returning from war -- with available jobs; and to monitor for and guard against discrimination or harassment on downtown construction job sites.

In an effort to achieve these goals, the program calls for the creation of a Lower Manhattan Opportunity Committee, which will bring together representatives from all agencies involved in the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan to foster greater communication about ways to increase participation by minorities and women in the rebuilding effort.

Additionally, the Opportunity Downtown program will establish procedures and develop databases to aid in outreach to minority- and women-owned firms, groups, and individuals; promote New York City and State certification for eligible MWBEs; and monitor for and address barriers to participation and/or discriminatory working conditions within the downtown construction effort.

Contact the Opportunity Downtown Program

Sign up to recieve the LMCCC Opportunity Downtown E-Update, click here.

Recent Opportunity for Businesses

RFQ For Cost Estimating, Scheduling, Construction Feasibitily and Pre-Construction Services
Lower Manhattan Development Corporation,
a subsidiary of the New York State Urban Development Corporation
d/b/a Empire State Development Corporation,
seeks statements of qualifications for cost estimating, scheduling, construction feasibility and pre-construction services.

Deadline for responses: June 3, 5:00 PM EST

Questions must be submitted in writing no later than May 21, 2008 at 5:00 PM EST to Sayar Lonial by e-mail at SLonial@renewnyc.com or by facsimile to: (212) 962-2431. Addenda to this RFQ, including responses to any questions, will be posted on the LMDC web site renewnyc.com. Answers to timely submitted questions will be posted no later than May 27, 2008 at 5:00 PM EST. LMDC will not accept, and cannot respond to, questions via other methods.

For more information, click here.

RFQ For Urban Planning Services and Environmental Services
Lower Manhattan Development Corporation,
a subsidiary of the New York State Urban Development Corporation
d/b/a Empire State Development Corporation,
seeks statements of qualifications for urban planning services outside of the World Trade Center site.

Deadline for responses: June 11, 5:00 PM EST

Questions must be submitted in writing no later than May 30, 2008 at 5:00 PM EST to Sayar Lonial by e-mail at SLonial@renewnyc.com or by facsimile to: (212) 962-2431. Addenda to this RFQ, including responses to any questions, will be posted on the LMDC web site renewnyc.com. Answers to timely submitted questions will be posted no later than June 4, 2008 at 5:00 PM EST. LMDC will not accept, and cannot respond to, questions via other methods.

For more information, click here.

Opportunity Downtown Past Events

Silverstein Properties – Meet The Primes – Networking Session

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Minority and Women Owned Business Contracting Community is cordially invited to Silverstein Properties – Meet the Primes –Networking Session. Participants will have access to the large firms competing for participation in the various trade contracts of the new Silverstein Properties Towers at the World Trade Center.

Contracting opportunities for this event are specific to the following trades: Carpentry & Drywall, Spray On Fireproofing, Roofing & Waterproofing, Masonry, Flooring: Ceramic Tile, Stone, Wood, VCT, General Contractors, Painting, Caulking, Glass & Glazing, Sitework & Landscaping, Trucking, and Suppliers.

For more more information visit crescentconsult.com.

BMCC Honors Construction Management Graduates
The second class of the Job Scheduler Training class at the Borough of Manhattan Community College graduated on October 15, 2007. 17 men and women spent the last few months focused on learning the skills needed to become Job Schedulers which coordinate the work of subcontractors and the delivery of materials so the construction plan is met. To read more>

The Job Scheduler Training Program will be offered twice a year at BMCC for individuals interested in advancing in the construction industry. Starting in November, BMCC also will offer the Job Scheduler class as part of the curriculum in its own Continuing Education Program.

How to do Business in Lower Manhattan Day a Success
Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MWBE) are getting a helping hand from the state thanks to a new initiative. The pilot program was announced by Lieutenant Governor David Paterson at the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center's September 5th "Opportunity Day" conference.

Open to 30 New York certified minority and women-owned businesses, the program improves access to bonding and training, fostering greater MWBE participation in construction projects state wide. To read more>

To learn more, call (212) 442-3780.

Women re:Build NY Opportunity Downtown -- 
The Women re:Build NY two-day conference on April 24 and 25 was a success in bringing together leaders in government, industry, unions, and educational institutions together with tradeswomen from around the country. Best practices and protocols were among the topics covered as the sponsors continued in their mission to provide opportunities to women in all communities and to expand and enhance the construction workforce. The event was coordinated with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Ford Foundation, and private donors.

For more information, please email mratner@legalmomentum.org  or call (212) 413-7580.