The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) awarded its joint venture construction management contract to Velez Organization for the design and construction phases of the Ravenswood Housing Project, valued in excess of $35 million. Beginning in 1993, this project marked the first time NYCHA had contracted with a construction manager to complete the modernization and upgrade of its housing units.

Management responsibilities included design, engineering, contractor selection, permitting, and construction close-out across 2,100 units of public housing. Construction included asbestos abatement, replacement of plumbing risers, new kitchens and bathrooms, and replacement and removal of building heating and oil tanks.

The fact that these facilities remained occupied throughout construction made the project particularly challenging. Velez successfully performed hazardous material removals in a residential environment by combining resident education on construction hazards with strong, visible safety policies — an approach that proved highly effective for simultaneous construction activity across an occupied site.