Construction of New University Housing Building Focuses on Local Hiring

A rendering of the new Columbia residential building that is being constructed at 600 W. 125th Street.

Columbia University is seeking to tap into the local workforce for its latest construction project at 600 W. 125th Street, a new University housing building intended for Columbia graduate students and faculty members.

Working in partnership with construction manager Pavarini McGovern and Crescent Consulting, the University has identified construction employment opportunities for local residents, as well as minorities and women, with construction experience and OSHA 40 certification. Positions are becoming available in a variety of trades during several phases of the project. 

Recruitment for the first phase of construction positions began in the spring for plumbing, electrical, fire protection, foundation, and HVAC trades.  Pavarini McGovern worked with schools, churches, NYC Housing Authority communities, and employment supporters across Harlem to inform local residents of the available opportunities. Three virtual information sessions, including one at The Pillars and one at The Door, were held to provide more details on the available positions and requirements needed to qualify. Additional information sessions will be held for future project phases.

Columbia is also offering free OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification classes to local residents who apply but do not have the necessary OSHA certification requirements. Applicants who complete these classes and have construction experience will be encouraged to apply for future opportunities on the project as they become available.

Columbia has a long-held commitment of working with minority, women and local (MWL) businesses and prioritizing the employment of a qualified, diverse, and local workforce, consistently setting ambitious employment and contracting goals. For this project, Columbia has set MWL construction goals that at least 35 percent of all construction dollars be spent with MWL-owned firms and at least 40 percent of the labor force made up of MWL construction workers for the duration of the project.

The new 34-story residential building for Columbia faculty and graduate students at 600 W. 125th Street will be comprised of approximately 177,000 square feet and include 142 apartments and 5,000 square feet of retail space on the ground level, which will be occupied by returning lessee, McDonald’s. Construction is expected to be completed in 2023.

Local residents interested in available construction work at the 600 W. 125th Street project can visit Crescent Consulting for information session details and applications.