Mayor Adams unveils $1b labor deals for jobs, NYC infrastructure

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced two historic Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) with the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York (BCTC).

These agreements, covering over $1 billion in transformational infrastructure projects, aim to accelerate construction timelines, foster unionized job creation, and prioritize local hiring while strengthening opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses (M/WBEs).

The agreements, which include upgrades to roads, sewers, bridges, and green infrastructure, lay the foundation for an additional $50 billion in upcoming projects. Highlighted within the plans is the ongoing transformation of Willets Point, a $270 million project set to deliver affordable housing, a soccer stadium, and over 150,000 square feet of public space.

“These agreements are a win-win-win: good union jobs for New Yorkers; faster, more efficient capital projects; and billions of dollars invested in communities neglected for decades,” Mayor Adams stated. “We’re building a better city, and this is just the beginning.”

The PLAs establish fair wages, safety protections, and training opportunities. For the first time, they incorporate Community Hiring goals to create pathways for New Yorkers in underserved areas, including those living in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments.

Gary LaBarbera, president of the BCTC, emphasized the agreements’ far-reaching impact: “We’re guaranteeing fair wages, union jobs, and pathways to the middle class for workers from our neighborhoods. This is a generational opportunity to reinvest in New Yorkers and their communities.”

Willets Point’s redevelopment is expected to generate over $6 billion in economic impact and create 14,000 construction jobs. The agreement also accelerates the use of design-build delivery — an innovative approach that integrates design and construction contracts to streamline projects.

Additional initiatives include the Hunts Point Produce Market redevelopment, the Kingsbridge Armory transformation, and the SPARC Kips Bay science campus. Together, these projects underscore the administration’s broader commitment to inclusive economic growth and sustainable development across all five boroughs.

Mayor Adams noted the significance of these efforts: “This isn’t just about infrastructure — it’s about people. We’re delivering economic mobility, resiliency, and opportunity, ensuring New York remains a city that works for all.”