New York City has added security to construction sites in lower Manhattan and Midtown, joining a number of cities where protests have led to work stoppages and damage. In other cities, contractors have voluntarily curtailed work in the wake of the death of George Floyd.

The 62-story Madison House at 126 North Madison Avenue has said goodbye to the construction crane, with only details and 7,500 square feet of ground floor retail to be finished as its 199 condos are marketed. The tallest residential building in NoMad was designed by Handel Architects for developers JD Carlisle and Fosen Group.

Photos from Tectonic show significant progress on the reinforced concrete superstructure of the Hard Rock Hotel going up at Times Square in New York City. Construction on the 225,000-square-foot, 445-room project is expected to be completed no later than early 2022.

States and localities are mandating more sustainability in construction, and the industry is responding with initiatives and practices. An Urban Land Institute webinar has reviewed some of the latest, including modular construction, solar power and electrical construction equipment, while noting obstacles standing in the way of further improvement.

The coronavirus pandemic is cause for a wide-ranging rethink of urban structures and systems with demands for more separation and fewer touch-prone surfaces. Carolina Miranda talks to designers and architects about how they are reimagining the spaces we live, work and play in.

The construction industry should embrace the latest wearable technology "to give our workers confidence that we are putting their health first every single day," writes John Fish, chairman and CEO of Suffolk. Wearable devices from companies such as Triax Technologies can aid with social distancing policies while making contact tracing possible if an employee or visitor should fall ill, Fish writes.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said there is talk of the city working with restaurants to use the Open Streets program and allow outdoor dining this summer. "Now, it's not in phase one as it's structured now but we are looking very intensely at what we can do with bars and restaurants, but again, with a safety first attitude," he said.

It takes a great workforce to build the greatest city in the world. Union carpenters are that great workforce. Our members reflect the diversity of local communities and are equipped with the skills to perform work on every project according to the highest standards. In addition to building great projects, our members have equal access to the good wages, benefits and upward mobility that define middle-class opportunity.

Visit our searchable directory of union carpentry contractors in the New York City metropolitan area. It includes listings of 14 contractor associations and their members, contractors that have union agreements independently or with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, and contractors certified as MWBEs. General building, concrete, wall and ceiling, millwrights, heavy construction, dockbuilders and timbermen, floor coverers, woodwork and cabinetry and more - it's all in one place.