Shola Fakorode, CEM, LEED AP

I am very excited to discuss how New York City is designing, powering, and operating buildings through electrification, and the challenges that come with it, with my fellow panelists on Wednesday!

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Local Law 97 is reshaping MEP decisions in NYC — and BUILT Engineers helps owners turn compliance into opportunity. We pair documented NYC regulatory experience with practical MEP solutions — mechanical, electrical, plumbing, sprinkler and fire-alarm — to reduce emissions exposure, lower long‑term operating costs, and protect property value. Our phased retrofit planning and coordinated MEP strategies minimize disruption and risk for buildings at 447 Broadway and nearby properties. Learn how a compliance-driven design can safeguard asset value and streamline upgrades: https://wix.to/rBnDE4B 🔧📉 #LocalLaw97 #MEPDesign #NYCRealEstate

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𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁: The Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) team scanned and characterized 8,543,856 ​square feet of space at 13 locations and 103 buildings across Montefiore Einstein. That’s equivalent to 3.16 Empire State Buildings! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁? Through the 3D reality capture of spaces, Montefiore Einstein now has a digital twin with the Starfish Spaces platform, resulting in location data and architectural layouts that are accessible by departments throughout the health system. This foundational and transformative work enabled the pivot to best-in-class technologies, enabling the digitalization of facilities at Montefiore Einstein. Want to learn more about the innovative work of EAM? Follow me for more and comment below with questions. #EnterpriseAssetManagement #MontefioreEinstein #StarfishSpaces #Enstoa #FSI #LeaderinChangeConsulting #DigitalTransformation #Facilities 

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What You Need to Know About Permits and Regulations for Renovation in NYC? Do You Need a Permit for Your Renovation? In most cases, yes, you will need a renovation permit in NYC. The Department of Buildings (DOB) requires permits for projects that involve: Changing the structure of a building Moving or altering plumbing lines Electrical work HVAC installation Significant demolition or construction Additions or expansions Even cosmetic upgrades, like installing new flooring or painting, might require a permit if they impact fire safety or involve landmark properties. Pro Tip: Always check if your building is located in a historic district. Special renovation regulations apply if you’re working on a landmarked property. Types of Renovation Permits in New York City Depending on the nature of your renovation, you may need one or more of the following permits: Work Permit: Required for construction, alteration, or demolition.  Plumbing Permit: Needed for work involving plumbing systems.  Electrical Permit: Mandatory for new wiring, service upgrades, or major changes to electrical systems. Sign-Offs and Certificates of Occupancy: After completion, your project may require an official inspection and updated Certificate of Occupancy if the use of space changes. Failing to obtain the correct permits can lead to costly fines, stop-work orders, and even legal action. More details: https://lnkd.in/eKMK7EuX

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In 2025, I learned that buildings in NYC that prioritized early decarbonization are now compliant, operationally optimized, and recognized as premium assets. 2026 is the inflection year, and here are the 5 shifts I am closely monitoring: 1️⃣LL97 Compliance Crunch – tens of thousands of buildings require work leading up to 2030, with contractors booked out for 12-18 months. 2️⃣ Building Controls – This remains the lowest-hanging fruit that still has much room to grow, representing a $3-5B market. 3️⃣ Global Playbook Adoption – Other countries, including Europe and Asia, have already addressed our challenges. We continue to look outward to adopt best practices. 4️⃣ Plug-and-Play Heat Pumps – PTHPs, window units, and heat pump water heaters enable incremental decarbonization. 5️⃣ Construction Robotics & AI Moat – Tech-enabled contractors are running 10-20% faster. The competitive gap is widening—robotics and AI adoption is no longer optional. Full breakdown in the comments ⬇️ What construction and sustainability trends are you tracking for 2026? #NYCConstruction #Sustainability #LL97 #BuildingDecarbonization #ConstructionTech

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As someone working in building operations, I was glad to hear Local Law 97 come up during the mayoral debate last night. With 70% of the city’s carbon emissions coming from buildings, NYC cannot afford to shy away from pushing forth sustainability. Yes, compliance can be complex. But what is often missed in the conversation is how investing in modern upgrades can actually lower your costs. A new high efficiency HVAC system or smart BMS can cut energy use by up to 40%, often paying for itself within a few years. There are also programs like Con Edison’s Energy Efficiency incentives and NYSERDA’s lighting retrofit grants that help cover the cost of upgrades. I hope we can encourage more building owners to avoid just paying the fines and instead build upon the existing efforts to make it easier and faster for everyone to become compliant and move toward a cleaner future for New York City. #LocalLaw97 #Sustainability #NYC #BuildingEfficiency #ClimateAction #FacilitiesManagement #EnergyEfficiency #Debate #Mayor

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H2M Electrical Engineering Department Manager Anthony Kim, P.E., recently contributed an article to NJBIZ about how real estate owners and developers can improve energy efficiency in their properties and meet New Jersey’s ambitious climate goals. The State of New Jersey aims to reduce 2006-era greenhouse gas emission levels by 80 percent statewide by 2050. Anthony’s article, titled “How New Jersey Buildings Can Hit Decarbonization Goals,” offers some potential avenues for energy efficiency, including building electrification and improvements to the building’s thermal envelope. H2M’s multidisciplinary team of specialists has a deep understanding of New Jersey’s environmental regulations and efficiency goals, as well as the creativity and engineering expertise to bring those goals to fruition. Read more about building decarbonization: https://lnkd.in/gnqv9sVc

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Just dropped: NYC’s updated Local Law 87 dataset is now live on NYC Open Data 🌍 Explore detailed energy audits (2019–2024) of large buildings across the city. Use this powerful resource to evaluate building energy performance, identify retrofit & upgrade opportunities, support decarbonization strategies, and inform climate policy & action! Perfect for professionals in real estate, sustainability, engineering, academia, and research looking to drive carbon reduction and better understand NYC’s building landscape. Dive into the data now: https://lnkd.in/eJE2Juyq

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AIA CNJ is delighted to share this event offered by U.S. Green Building Council and Princeton University's Office of Sustainability: Building Resilience: Adaptations for a Changing Climate in New Jersey The importance of resilience in our built environment cannot be overstated. 2024 and 2023 saw the highest number of billion-dollar disasters on record in U.S. history (NOAA). The increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, wildfires, floods and heat waves can disrupt critical infrastructure, endanger lives and damage property. Our built environment must be designed, constructed and operated to mitigate risk and sustain our communities. USGBC works to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated — resilience is a clear extension of this work. We know that more sustainable buildings are the cornerstone to enhancing community resilience. Details and registration: https://lnkd.in/eCJ-3Qbf

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🏙️ Starline Tower nears completion at 250 West 49th Street in Midtown Manhattan Construction is reaching the final stages at Starline Tower, the new residential development rising at 250 West 49th Street in Midtown Manhattan. As the project nears completion, it underscores ongoing interest and investment in high-quality housing in one of New York City’s most vibrant neighborhoods. This milestone reflects sustained momentum in Manhattan’s residential market, especially for well-located, amenity-rich developments that appeal to urban living demand. 👉 Read more: https://lnkd.in/ehy4vKss #NYCRealEstate #MidtownManhattan #ResidentialDevelopment #ConstructionUpdate #Multifamily #UrbanGrowth #ManhattanLiving

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BOMA New York member Empire State Realty Trust has secured a new lease with engineering and development consulting firm Mott MacDonald, which will occupy 25,372 square feet at the Empire State Building. The lease marks the firm’s second Manhattan office. This deal adds to recent leasing activity in the historic building, including agreements with the Big East Conference and Workday. Read more via Commercial Observer: https://lnkd.in/eHxDJfpk #BOMANY #CommercialRealEstate #MidtownManhattan #OfficeLeasing #EmpireStateBuilding

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🚧 Maria Cangiano, Senior Project Manager, on the Multifamily team, and the teams from the Brooklyn and the Bronx Clean Energy Hub will be/is on site at the Brooklyn Sustainable Building Resource Fair at Brooklyn Borough Hall today from 4-8 p.m. 🛠️ This is an opportunity for building owners and managers to connect with experts and experienced contractors to help kickstart their building's sustainability upgrades. Attendees will learn about heat pumps, solar, weatherization, HVAC, lighting, electric, renewable energy, and waste management, as well as financial incentives, including tax incentives, and financing available to help them get to work.

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3 miles from Boston — yet disconnected. Everett sits just 3 miles from Boston's City Hall. But unlike most cities bordering Boston, it has no subway or commuter rail station. That gap has shaped the city’s development trajectory for decades. Now a series of projects could begin to change that: - A proposed Silver Line extension through Everett - A new pedestrian + bike bridge connecting to Assembly - A potential commuter rail stop near Encore - A new Assembly Station headhouse For a city where ~30% of residents commute to Boston, transit access is more than convenience. It’s a development catalyst. Greater Boston has seen this story before. - Assembly Row. - The Green Line Extension corridor. - Somerville’s rapid transformation. Transit connectivity often unlocks the next phase of urban development. Everett may be approaching that moment. But the details matter — especially where infrastructure lands. Debate over the location of a proposed commuter rail station highlights a familiar challenge: infrastructure can either serve visitors and destinations, or anchor neighborhood growth. The choice can shape development patterns for decades. #BostonCRE #TransitOrientedDevelopment #UrbanDevelopment #Infrastructure Boston Globe Media Link in Comments

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A year into covering NYC’s clean energy transition, one thing is clear: It’s hard, and it’s happening. Read more about what we've learned from buildings adapting in real time in our year-in-review article, by Skylight's founder Eric Lee: https://ow.ly/sAAL50XL2eY

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Looking forward to joining this important discussion as part of the Building New York Series – Airports Edition hosted by the NYC Bar Association’s Construction Law Committee. Over the past 20+ years, I’ve had the privilege of working on complex aviation infrastructure programs—including the ongoing transformation of New York’s airports. These projects require more than great engineering—they demand strong collaboration across owners, designers, builders, regulators, and the communities we serve. At AECOM, I’m excited to continue supporting major aviation programs and helping shape the next generation of airport infrastructure. Looking forward to sharing lessons learned from the field and hearing insights from fellow industry leaders. #aecom #buildingnewyork #infrastructure #airports #NYC #Aviation #anewjfk #anewlga

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What’s redefining commercial construction on Long Island? The answer lies in sustainability and innovation. From green building to adaptive reuse, smart technology, and wellness-focused design, Nassau and Suffolk are leading the way in creating resilient, future-ready developments. Discover how these trends are shaping the future of Long Island’s commercial landscape. https://lnkd.in/gX_cJybQ #CommercialConstruction #LongIslandDevelopment #Sustainability #Innovation #GreenBuilding #SmartTechnology #ModularDesign

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