Northeast Equitable Infrastructure Week
Kick-Off Interview with Commissioner Thomas J. Foley, New York City Department of Design and Construction
Commissioner Foley currently oversees the overall direction of New York City’s Department of Design & Construction (DDC), supported by almost 450 executives, managerial, professional, and administrative staff with over 711 active projects, serving 25 client agencies with portfolios valued at over $10 billion.
Northeast Infra Week
Program
The Equitable Infrastructure Week Conferences fosters dialogue that leads to tangible outcomes.
The conference will also highlight successful case studies and data-driven insights. For example, investments in equitable infrastructure have been shown to generate significant economic returns, with every $1 spent on transportation infrastructure yielding $4 in economic benefits.
Finally, by prioritizing equity in the nation's infrastructure projects, we aim to bridge the $2.59 trillion investment gap identified by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, ensuring that no community is left behind in the path to progress.
Program: Northeast Equitable Infra Week 2024
Tuesday, July 23
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11:30 - 12:15 pm
Kick-Off Conference Webinar
Thomas J. Foley, Commissioner of NYC Dept. of Design & Construction
12:30 -1:30 pm
Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act
L. Charlie Oliver, Chair
Equitable Infrastructure Group
2:30 - 3:30 pm
Energy Geopolitics: Power Dynamics in a Changing Global Landscape
EIG Fellows & Special Guests
will discuss the critical interplay between global energy resources, infrastructure development, and international relations
Our Products
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Wednesday, July 24
The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is at the forefront of the Alternative Design-Build (ADB) discussion, with success with the early completion of the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project highlighting ADB's potential to allow for more integrated and collaborative design solutions, streamlining processes and reducing timelines.
SYSTRA USA's newly installed President will weigh in on Alternative Design-Build (ADB) methodologies, the role of emerging technologies, and the future of the Northeast Corridor. In this role, he oversees various practices within the firm's US operations, including infrastructure, traction power, systems, construction management, program management, and planning. AMTRAK, PANYNJ, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and NJ Transit.
Office-to-Residential Conversions can play a significant role in addressing urban housing shortages, with efforts made to ensure affordability and accessibility for diverse communities. Gensler is a the forefront after successfully completing the majority of conversion projects in NYC. Regulatory, such as zoning changes and building codes, and policy recommendations are still in flux. Gensler will speak to design and sustainability aspects of office-to-residential conversions.
The New York Power Authority (NYPA) is at the forefront of modernizing infrastructure to meet the demands of a sustainable and equitable energy future. NYPA’s decarbonization efforts present potential opportunities for businesses specializing in green technology and carbon reduction, supporting New York State’s renewable energy targets. By integrating advanced technologies such as smart grids, digitalization, and data analytics, NYPA is optimizing energy distribution and usage, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the power grid.
The Energy Storage Roadmap, the Scoping Plan was approved on June 20th by the New York State Public Service Commission allowing NYSERDA to expand collaborations with partners and implement key strategies to safely deploy energy storage at scale in support of Governor Hochul’s goal to install six gigawatts by 2030.
9:30 - 10:25 am
Pre Conference Interview:
Building Equitable Infrastructure: Insights from NYC's Design & Construction Commissioner
Thomas J. Foley, Commissioner of NYC Dept. of Design & Construction
10:30 -11:30 am
Navigating the Future:
Key Projects, Innovations & Challenges in Northeast Transportation
Joseph Bonsignore,
President
SYSTRA USA
11:35 - 12:10 pm
Special EIG Briefing: Northeast Corridor Transportation Impact & Transit Oriented Development
As investments in the NEC continue, including infrastructure upgrades and expansion projects, the potential for TOD will further stimulate economic development, improve environmental outcomes, and enhance the quality of life for residents throughout the region.
12:15 - 1:40 pm
Empowering Innovation & Progress: Building Equitable, Sustainable, and Resilient Futures in the Northeast
Doreen M. Harris
CEO, New York State Energy and Research Development Authority
Justin E. Driscoll
President & CEO, New York Power Authority
Jeremy Shannon
Director of Sustainability, Climate Action, Gensler
L. Charlie Oliver, Chair of the Equitable Infrastructure Group|Partners and CEO of Green Building Worldwide, leads the charge to traverse over $870 billion in capital and private projects. She is also the Founder of Equitable Infrastructure Week.
Charlie is a recurring speaker before the World Economic Forum, the Global Power and Energy BlockChain Conference, and the Equity Forum.
L. Charlie Oliver
Founder
Equitable Infrastructure Group
Commissioner Foley currently oversees the overall direction of New York City’s Department of Design & Construction (DDC), supported by almost 450 executives, managerial, professional, and administrative staff with over 711 active projects, serving 25 client agencies with portfolios valued at over $30 billion. DDC is leading the Alternative Design Build conversation in New York City.
Thomas J. Foley
Commissioner
New York City Department of Design & Construction
Joseph Bonsignore, PE, serves as the President and CEO of Systra USA. In this role, he oversees various practices within the firm's US operations, including infrastructure, traction power, systems, construction management, program management, and planning. SYSTRA ranks as one of the leading engineering and consultancy groups globally holding the 3rd position in Mass Transit & Rail category and fourth position in the Bridges category.
Joseph Bonsignore
President & CEO
SYSTRA USA
President Harris is leading NYSERDA’s role to advance the policy frameworks, clean energy technologies and solutions that help New York advance toward the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by no less than 85 percent by 2050 while creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying clean-energy jobs and building an equitable economy.
Doreen M. Harris
President
New York State Energy and Research Development Authority
Justin Driscoll supervises NYPA’s 16 generation facilities and 1,400 circuit miles of high-voltage transmission, as well as its role as an energy efficiency project developer and as an energy supplier for its governmental customers, including New York City, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the New York City Housing Authority, state agencies, and local governments.
Justin E. Driscoll
President & CEO
New York Power Authority
Jeremy focuses on advancing design technologies and education to create sustainable communities and healing ecosystems and is a founding member serving on the Board of NY Passive House. Gensler emerged as the most active architecture firm in 2023 and holds the title of the largest architecture firm globally, both in terms of revenue and the number of architects employed.
Jeremy Shannon, Co-Director, Climate Action & Sustainability Studio
Gensler
Willet's Point Redevelopment
Commissioner Foley currently oversees the overall direction of New York City’s Department of Design & Construction (DDC), supported by almost 450 executives, managerial, professional, and administrative staff with over 711 active projects, serving 25 client agencies with portfolios valued at over $10 billion.
Energy Geopolitics: Power Dynamics in a Changing Global Landscape
The market demand for office-to-residential conversions is being driven by shifts in work patterns and urban housing shortages, with many cities seeing an increased interest in these projects. Financial feasibility remains a critical consideration, with successful projects often leveraging tax incentives, favorable financing options, and robust market analysis. Design challenges include adapting office layouts to residential needs, requiring innovative space planning and the integration of amenities. Sustainability is a key focus, with projects incorporating energy-efficient systems, renewable energy sources, and green building materials to reduce environmental impact. Regulatory hurdles, such as zoning changes and building codes, frequently arise, and policy recommendations include streamlining approval processes and offering incentives for sustainable designs. These conversions play a significant role in addressing urban housing shortages, with efforts made to ensure affordability and accessibility for diverse communities. Gensler has successfully completed numerous conversion projects, with lessons learned emphasizing the importance of flexibility and community engagement. Common challenges include retrofitting infrastructure systems like HVAC and plumbing, often resolved through advanced engineering solutions. Looking ahead, the trend is expected to grow, driven by technological advancements and increased urbanization. Stakeholder engagement, including public-private partnerships, is vital, ensuring projects meet community needs and gain broad support.
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor (NEC) is a critical transportation artery in the United States, stretching from Boston to Washington, D.C., and serving as a backbone for the region's economic vitality. This corridor is not only a hub for high-speed rail but also a prime area for transit-oriented development (TOD), which focuses on creating dense, mixed-use communities centered around robust public transportation systems. Amtrak plays a pivotal role in the NEC, offering frequent and reliable rail services that connect major cities and support the daily commutes of millions. The integration of Amtrak's rail services with local transit options enhances mobility, reduces traffic congestion, and promotes sustainable urban growth. As investments in the NEC continue, including infrastructure upgrades and expansion projects, the potential for TOD will further stimulate economic development, improve environmental outcomes, and enhance the quality of life for residents throughout the region.
The Portal Bridge
The existing Portal Bridge was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad and entered revenue service in November 1910. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the bridge carried more than 450 daily Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT trains and 200,000 daily passengers over the Hackensack River – a critical link in the congested territory between Newark, New Jersey and Penn Station, New York.
A two-track replacement bridge – Portal North – will replace this outdated relic with a modern, high-level fixed span that does not open or close, eliminating the movable components and risk of malfunction. The new bridge will rise 50-feet over the river and, including the approaches, span nearly 2.5 miles of the Northeast Corridor. Portal North Bridge is an important element of the broader Gateway Program that will eventually double rail capacity between Newark and New York.
Thursday, July 25
One of the key partnerships promoting energy efficiency in housing is with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). HPD has implemented several energy efficiency programs to promote sustainable building practices. Key are Local Law 97 and the 467-m incentive. The 467-m incentive is an exemption from local real property taxation of certain multiple dwellings in a city having a population of one million or more.
The Commission prioritizes consumer protection and industry growth by ensuring fair pricing, promoting competition, and enforcing regulatory compliance. Recently, the PSC has initiated regulatory changes to support the adoption of renewable energy sources and the modernization of the electric grid.
Collaborations between private developers and local governments have become a cornerstone in advancing HUD's Five Strategic Goals, which aim to pursue transformative housing and community-building policies and programs. Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), through initiatives like the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT), play a vital role in these collaborations. HUD plans to enhance programs that increase the production and supply of housing across the country to match demand and ensure equitable access. Programs like the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) support communities in building resilience against climate impacts.
11:30 - 12:15 pm
Placed Based Investments: Affordable Housing, and a brief discussion on Willets Point
L. Charlie Oliver, Founder, Equitable Infrastructure Group & Equitable Infrastructure Week.
12:30 - 1:30 pm
Equitable Infrastructure in Rural & Farming Communities
Makeda Marshall-NeSmith
Program Director, Incubation, Cultivation and Acceleration
Enterprise Community Partners
1:40 - 2:40 pm
Equitable Infrastructure Masterclass: Strategies for Delivering Sustainable Housing and Development
Jennifer Bloom Leone
Assistant Commissioner and Chief Sustainability Officer, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development
2:50 - 3:45 pm
Empowering Innovation & Progress: Building Equitable, Sustainable, and Resilient Futures in the Northeast
Alexis Pelosi
Senior Advisor for Climate, Office of the Secretary, US Department of Housing and Urban Development
Rory Christian
Chairman, New York State Public Service Commission
Willet's Point Redevelopment
Commissioner Foley currently oversees the overall direction of New York City’s Department of Design & Construction (DDC), supported by almost 450 executives, managerial, professional, and administrative staff with over 711 active projects, serving 25 client agencies with portfolios valued at over $10 billion.
Energy Geopolitics: Power Dynamics in a Changing Global Landscape
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L. Charlie Oliver
Founder, EIW
Moderator
L. Charlie Oliver, Chair of the Equitable Infrastructure Group|Partners and CEO of Green Building Worldwide, leads the charge to traverse over $870 billion in capital and private projects. She is also the Founder of Equitable Infrastructure Week.Charlie is a recurring speaker before the World Economic Forum, the Global Power and Energy BlockChain Conference, and the Equity Forum.
Jennifer Bloom LeoneAssistant Commissioner & Chief Sustainability OfficerNew York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development
Jennifer Bloom Leoneoversees the strategic development and implementation of HPD’s sustainability programs.
HPDis the largest municipal developer of affordable housing in the nation.She also shepherds the strategic development and implementation of standards, programs, and policies to meet the goals within the Mayor's Climate Action Plan "PlaNYC": Getting Sustainability Done.”
Rory M. Christian
Chair
New York State Public Service Commission
Chair Christian was first appointed to the New York Public Service Commission in June of 2021 and appointed Chair and CEO in September 2021. Prior Christian served as NYCHA's the Director of Energy Finance and Sustainability Management - a HUD funded agency.
The Department also seeks to stimulate effective competitive markets for clean, renewable, and distributed energy resources that benefit New York consumers, as well as product and service innovations.
Alexis Pelosi, Sr. Energy Advisor, Office of the Secretary, US Dept. of Housing & Urban Development
Alex M. Pelosi is Senior Advisor for Climate in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). She has a law degree from Berkeley Law and a masters in environmental science from Johns Hopkins University. Prior to joining HUD in 2022 as a Senior Advisor in the Office of Community Planning and Development, Alexis spent 20+ years working on complex real estate development projects throughout the Bay Area and Northern California.
Makeda Marshall- NeSmith
Program Director
Enterprise Community Partners
Makeda Marshall-NeSmith is an accomplished urban planner with over a decade of experience in the field. As an Enterprise Advisor she focuses on the intersection of housing and equity. Prior Makeda worked with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).
Olivia LaForce
Engagement Fellow
Equitable Infrastructure Week
Olivia LaForce is a Junior Fellow at the Equitable Infrastructure Group, currently pursuing a master's degree in Environmental Justice at The University of Michigan. Driven by her passion for advocacy and the environment, Olivia is dedicated to promoting sustainable and just community practices.
Xang Hang
Policy Fellow
Equitable Infrastructure Week
Xang comes to the Equitable Instructure Group from the City and County of San Francisco. In his most recent position, Xang was a Fiscal and Policy Analyst in the Mayor's Office of Public Policy and Finance, where he worked on behalf of the Mayor with departments to create and streamline fiscal and policy-based decisions.
Willet's Point Redevelopment
Related and Sterling have already commenced construction on 1,100 affordable housing units in the first phase of their Willets Point project. This phase also includes 22,000 square feet of retail space and a 650-seat school. City officials have mandated that these affordable housing units be prioritized over the project's more profitable elements.
Overall, the plan will introduce 2,500 affordable apartments to Willets Point, marking the largest 100-percent affordable, ground-up housing initiative in New York City in the past 40 years, according to city planners. Upon successful completion of this phase, the development can expand to include a second phase featuring a Major League Soccer stadium, an additional 1,400 affordable apartments, a 250-room hotel, and 80,000 square feet of retail space.
Equitable Infrastructure in Rural & Farming Communities
Equitable infrastructure in rural and farming communities is essential for fostering sustainable growth, enhancing the quality of life, and ensuring equal access to resources and opportunities. These communities often face unique challenges. By investing in infrastructure that addresses these gaps, will promote economic development, improve public health, and increase educational opportunities. Equitable infrastructure also supports environmental sustainability by integrating modern agricultural practices and renewable energy solutions, thereby helping rural and farming areas to thrive in a rapidly changing world. This approach ensures that the benefits of infrastructure development are shared broadly, reducing disparities and building resilient, vibrant communities.
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Northeast Equitable Infrastructure Week
SYSTRA ranks as one of the leading engineering and consultancy groups globally, specializing in public transport and mobility solutions. It holds the third position in the Mass Transit & Rail category and has climbed to the fourth position in the Bridges category.
Joseph Bonsignore, President & CEO, SYSTRA USA
President Harris is leading NYSERDA’s role to advance the policy frameworks, clean energy technologies and solutions that help New York advance toward the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by no less than 85 percent by 2050 while creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying clean-energy jobs and building an equitable economy.
Doreen Harris, President, New York State Energy and Development Research Authority
Gensler emerged as the most active architecture firm in 2023 and holds the title of the largest architecture firm globally, both in terms of revenue and the number of architects employed. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries annually. Their guiding mission is to create a better world through the power of design.
Jeremy Shannon, Co-Director, Climate Action & Sustainability Studio
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Xang Hang, Policy and _____Fellow,
Equitable Infrastructure Group
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Sela Mumuli, Energy and Climate Action Fellow, Equitable Infrastructure Group
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Jiechun Lei, Conference Coordination Fellow, Equitable
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Service Name
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The New York State Department of Public Service seeks to stimulate effective competitive markets for clean, renewable, and distributed energy resources that benefit New York consumers, as well as product and service innovations.
Rory Christian, Chair, New York State Public Service Commission
The New York State Department of Public Service seeks to stimulate effective competitive markets for clean, renewable, and distributed energy resources that benefit New York consumers, as well as product and service innovations.
Jennifer Bloom Leone, Assistant Commissioner & Chief Sustainability Officer, New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development
The New York State Department of Public Service seeks to stimulate effective competitive markets for clean, renewable, and distributed energy resources that benefit New York consumers, as well as product and service innovations.
L.Charlie Oliver, Chair, Equitable Infrastructure Group & Green Building Worldwide
The New York State Department of Public Service seeks to stimulate effective competitive markets for clean, renewable, and distributed energy resources that benefit New York consumers, as well as product and service innovations.
Thomas J. Foley, Commissioner, NYC Department o f
The New York State Department of Public Service seeks to stimulate effective competitive markets for clean, renewable, and distributed energy resources that benefit New York consumers, as well as product and service innovations.
Makeda NesBeth
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Our Equity Fellows.
Xang comes to the Equitable Instructure Group from the City and County of San Francisco. In his most recent position, Xang was a Fiscal and Policy Analyst in the Mayor's Office of Public Policy and Finance, where he worked on behalf of the Mayor with departments to create and streamline fiscal and policy-based decisions. Xang has demonstrated a robust past in his work in the public sector through his time serving in AmeriCorps, the Wisconsin Governor's Office, and other public entities.
Xang Hang
Policy Fellow
Sela, holding an MBA in Corporate Sustainability from Colorado State University and a Bachelor's in International Business Administration, is a seasoned professional skilled in working across diverse cultures. She focuses on sustainable development, aiming to shape policy and business towards sustainability by collaborating with governments, NGOs, and businesses to foster climate-resilient strategies that promote environmental justice and economic growth.
Sela Mumuli
Energy Fellow
Chloe Jiechun Lei is an MBA candidate at Yale School of Management and a recipient of the Bekenstein Climate Leader Fellowship. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from UC Berkeley. Chloe is dedicated to delivering innovative solutions to contemporary infrastructure challenges, aiming to foster sustainable and equitable growth within communities.
Chloe Jiechun Lei
Conference Fellow
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