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BUSINESS NEWS ALEX GETELMAN OF MBI GROUP ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF LANDMARK RESTORATION AT 670 BROADWAY MBI Group completed work on a landmark restoration project at 670 Broadway, on the corner of Broadway and Bond Street in New York City. Originally designed by renowned architect George E. Harney, the five-story, 75,000-square-foot red-brick loft building was created in the Victorian Gothic style whose unique hallmarks include varying color, texture, and gothic details. MBI Group worked with Paramount Group and TPG Architecture to bring the dilapidated building to its prior grandeur to attract new tenants and be a part of the ongoing revitalization of New York’s vibrant NoHo neighborhood. ”MBI Group is proud to have worked on the restoration of 670 Broadway, an incredible New York City landmark originally built in 1900 and today a modern, world-class commercial space,” stated Alex Getelman, executive managing director of MBI Group. “MBI Group helped to transform the property’s retail spaces, relocated the lobby and provided extensive interior work in keeping with the building’s elegant original design. Current tenants include top brands like Bandier and Equinox Gym. For over 30 years, MBI Group has transformed commercial interiors for building owners in New York and beyond.” The scope of the project included demolition of seven existing storefronts, which were replaced by millwork doors and glass to replicate the building’s original image; extensive replacement of existing cast iron, which was completed by taking molds of historical pieces and meticulously installing each item to match the existing columns and decorative items;

demolition of the fourth and fifth floors to create white-box spaces for future tenants; relocation of the building’s lobby from Broadway to Bond Street with the new address 0 Bond Street; and the build-out of a new elevator lobby with security desk. JACOBS APPOINTED TO LEAD EDINBURGH CITY CENTER TRANSFORMATION Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has been awarded a contract by the City of Edinburgh Council in Scotland to help develop the strategy, delivery plan, and detailed business case for the transformation of Edinburgh City Center. The City of Edinburgh Transformation Program is a multi-million-dollar investment to improve community, economic and cultural life of one the most iconic cities in the world. Jacobs, supported by its partners, will provide the delivery plan for the historic overhaul of the Scottish capital’s streets, public spaces and amenities to ensure it is future-proofed for generations to come. This will include strategies to make the city more accessible for residents, visitors, and businesses, creating better connectivity with sustainable, smart and cleaner transport options, enhancing civic centers, and improving air quality. “Edinburgh is one of the world’s most archetypal cities and this program enables Jacobs to play a role in helping the council make the city the best place to live, work, and invest,” said Jacobs Buildings and Infrastructure Europe Senior Vice President and General Manager Donald Morrison. “Our understanding of the city through previous iconic projects, global projects expertise and ability to challenge different ways of thinking

will enable us to co-create a plan that ensures a fairer, healthier, and thriving capital city fit for the future.” Transport and Environment Convener, Councilor Lesley Macinnes, said: “This is a deeply ambitious and potentially game- changing opportunity to transform the city center of one of Europe’s leading cities, for the benefit of generations to come. As we move forward with the consultation on how a future Edinburgh should look, we’re pleased to be working with Jacobs, whose previous projects demonstrate the ability to deliver forward- thinking solutions.” Jacobs employs more than 1,100 staff in Scotland and has played a leading role in delivering some of the largest infrastructure programs inScotland including theQueensferry Crossing, which links Edinburgh and Fife, and the A9 Improvements Program. Wide- ranging support of sustainable transformation programs for other U.K. cities include Dundee Rail Station (part of the ongoing transformation of Dundee), Birmingham City Council’s Snow Hill Growth Strategy and development of a Clean Air Zone, and previously the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Jacobs leads the global professional services sector delivering solutions for a more connected, sustainable world. With $15 billion in fiscal 2017 revenue when combined with full-year CH2M revenues and a talent force of more than 77,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of services including scientific, technical, professional and construction- and program-management for business, industrial, commercial, government, and infrastructure sectors.

CHRISTINA ZWEIG NIEHUES, from page 3

“Offer a range of benefits that appeal to different people;” 40 percent said, “Specifically recruit women;” 36 percent said, “Specifically recruit minorities;” and 10 percent said, “Hold diversity seminars.” While these are good efforts, it’s not enough. We need a more comprehensive approach to encourage diversity in our firms, and it starts with simple awareness of the issue. Other things we need to support are early STEM programs for girls, minorities, and those in under-privileged schools. We need to eliminate implicit bias in hiring practices. We need to create detailed policies and benefits that support and motivate a diverse staff. All of this is just the beginning. In the coming months, I’ll be exploring more of the stories about people and firms that embrace diversity in all its forms, and the positive impacts this can have on an organization and the greater AEC universe. If you have a story you want to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. CHRISTINA ZWEIG NIEHUES is Zweig Group’s director of marketing and awards. Contact her at czweig@zweiggroup.com.

makes this battle for diversity much more difficult to win. I don’t think a lot of outward sexism, racism, and other overt discrimination is present in many firms. What does occur is far less blatant, much more difficult to tackle, and starts early in life, even before people have a chance to consider the AEC profession as a career path. “I don’t think a lot of outward sexism, racism, and other overt discrimination is present in many firms. What does occur is far less blatant, much more difficult to tackle, and starts early in life, even before people have a chance to consider the AEC profession as a career path.” In Zweig Group’s 2018 Recruitment & Retention Survey , we asked, “What does your firm do to ensure a diverse, nondiscriminatory culture?” Eighty-seven percent said,

THE ZWEIG LETTER December 10, 2018, ISSUE 1275

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