26 Feb NYC’s Design-Build Success: A Blueprint for Puerto Rico

Posted at 13:48h in Construction, Design-Build, Industry Insight, News by

Here at DDD Group, we’ve long championed the benefits of Design-Build, and specifically progressive Design-Build, for both public and private sector projects. Recent news out of New York City provides compelling evidence that our advocacy is well-founded, and it raises a crucial question: can Puerto Rico reap the same rewards?

The NYC Success Story: Savings and Speed

New York City has announced staggering results from adopting the Design-Build method. According to Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi and Commissioner Thomas Foley of the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC), the city is saving a combined 50 years of project time and $1.4 billion on just 42 capital projects.

These projects, spanning across agencies like DDC, NYCHA, and NYC Health and Hospitals (H+H), are on track to be completed an average of two years faster and with 10% cost savings compared to traditional lowest-bidder contracting.

A prime example is the Brownsville Multi-Service Center in Brooklyn. The concrete superstructure was completed in a mere seven months using Design-Build, and the entire project is projected to be finished at least two years ahead of schedule, saving taxpayers an estimated $12 million.

Key Benefits of Design-Build:

  • Accelerated Timelines: Design-Build streamlines the process by integrating design and construction under a single contract, eliminating sequential bidding and reducing delays.
  • Cost Savings: Early collaboration between designers and builders allows for value engineering and efficient problem-solving, reducing costs significantly.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Design-Build fosters a collaborative environment, promoting innovation and efficient stakeholder communication.
  • Best Value, Not Just Lowest Bid: This methodology allows for selecting the most qualified team, ensuring a higher quality project, not just the cheapest one.

 

Puerto Rico’s Opportunity: Overcoming Resistance

In Puerto Rico, DDD Group has observed persistent legal pressure from professional organizations who have historically opposed Design-Build. However, the undeniable success in NYC offers a powerful counter-narrative.

The impressive results in New York highlight the potential for Design-Build to revolutionize project delivery, particularly in the public sector. The ability to significantly reduce project timelines and costs is crucial for Puerto Rico, where infrastructure development is vital.

Progressive Design-Build and CM-Build: Expanding the Toolkit

New York City’s success extends beyond traditional Design-Build. The city has also embraced progressive Design-Build and Construction Manager-Build (CM-Build), further enhancing project efficiency.

CM-Build proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling the rapid construction of essential facilities. The recent legislative expansion in New York, allowing for the use of progressive Design-Build and CM-Build across more agencies, demonstrates a commitment to innovation in project delivery.

Looking Ahead:

The NYC experience provides a compelling case for Puerto Rico to reconsider its approach to project delivery. Embracing Design-Build and exploring progressive Design-Build and CM-Build could unlock significant benefits for the island’s infrastructure development.

DDD Group believes that by adopting these innovative methodologies, Puerto Rico can achieve faster, more efficient, and cost-effective project delivery, ultimately benefiting the entire community. As a leader in Design-Build on the island, DDD Group has consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach through numerous successful projects. Our experience has shown that we can deliver superior results on time and within budget by fostering collaboration and integrating design and construction. We stand ready to leverage our expertise to help Puerto Rico realize the full potential of Design-Build and build a more resilient and prosperous future.

Print page