New York City Latest to Offer Mass Timber Assistance

As cities across the country and around the world look to mass timber construction, New York City is now embracing its use.

New York City has become the latest to look into the use of mass timber construction, instituting an assistance program under its non-profit Economic Development Corporation. The program seeks to raise awareness of using mass-timber construction by connecting building industry professionals and identifying development opportunities throughout the city.

“As a low-carbon alternative to concrete and steel,” said NYCEDC president Andrew Kimball, “the deployment of mass timber construction in New York City will be another bold step to drive the green economy while meeting the City’s ambitious climate goals.”

The agency, working with the Mayor’s Office for Climate and Environmental Justice, will run the program with assistance from the USDA Forest Service, softwood lumber initiative Softwood Lumber Board, wood building consultants WoodWorks, the AIA New York, and the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB).

Grants of $25,000 will be awarded to design teams in order to “conduct design, technical and economic feasibility assessments for mass timber” which can include both residential and industrial projects. If selected, the program will offer preliminary designs and plans integrating mass timber materials, a life cycle assessment, and a preliminary cost-benefit assessment for mass timber, among other deliverables, the agency said.

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