Three Common Problems Facing Construction Projects

For more than a decade, Christopher “Chris” McNally has led Falcon Enterprises Associates as president and founder. Chris McNally and the rest of the Falcon team offer services encompassing owner’s representation and project management and are skilled at solving common construction-related problems.

Some issues commonly encountered in construction projects include the following:

1. Shortage of skilled workers.

As more and more young people are pushed toward college rather than vocational training and as many construction workers are aging out of the workforce, the construction industry has experienced a serious decline in skilled workers. To combat this, contractors and other construction industry professionals can mentor others, particularly high school students or young college students, who may not know much about the industry. Construction professionals can also mentor workers within the industry. Showing them the business side of construction may spark their interest in furthering their career.

2. Increasing material costs.

The cost of land and raw materials can rapidly change. As a result, construction projects often go over budget. Although contractors can’t change the price of raw materials, they can adopt prefabricated components. This helps the project operate more efficiently and reduces labor costs. In addition to that, contractors can reduce costs elsewhere in their operations by speeding up back-office work, improving budget management, and enforcing purchase order limits.

3. Client indecision.

It’s not unusual for owners to change their minds about what they want during the course of a construction project. These changes increase not only the risk of delays but also the risk of payment problems later on. To protect themselves, construction professionals should always request a signed change order to ensure their documents are up to date.

Riverkeeper Preserves and Restores Hudson Fish Populations

Christopher “Chris” McNally draws on more than 20 years of construction industry experience in his role as president of Falcon Enterprises Associates, a New York firm that provides services in project management and owner’s representation. A passionate environmentalist, Chris McNally of Falcon supports numerous environment-focused organizations, including Riverkeeper.

Dedicated to protecting the recreational, commercial, and environmental integrity of the Hudson River, Riverkeeper undertakes initiatives including the Saving Hudson River Fish Campaign. This campaign addresses the declining populations of signature fish species in the Hudson River, including weakfish, bay anchovy, herring, and smelt.

Covering more than 13,000 square miles, the Hudson stands out as one of the East Coast’s two primary spawning grounds for fish, thanks to the nutrients and minerals trapped in the river as a result of tidal action from the Atlantic. Unfortunately, since the 1980s, 10 out of 13 fish species in the river have dramatically declined in abundance, due to such threats as over-fishing, invasive species, and warming water temperatures.

In addition to addressing these threats, Riverkeeper is promoting the removal of obsolete dams in the Hudson. Currently numbering in the thousands, these structures shrink fish habitats and block pathways between feeding, spawning, and nursery grounds. Removing unnecessary dams will open up the river to fish passage and restore its natural functions.

Sustainability a Factor in Renovating the High Line

 

High Line
Image: highline.org

New York City-based Christopher “Chris” McNally is the owner of Falcon Project Quality Management, a company dedicated to advocating for building owners throughout the construction process. Aside from his work at Falcon, Chris McNally supports several not-for-profits including the High Line, one of the nation’s most unique greenspaces.

When the 1930s era High Line closed in 1980, it fell into disrepair. The once-active railroad, designed to transport goods within Manhattan’s largest industrial district, quickly became choked with plants and was slated to be demolished.

However, following the tireless efforts of Joshua David and Robert Hammond, the unsightly and abandoned railway was given another chance, this time as a one-of-a-kind elevated walkway. After three separate building phases, the High Line now provides pedestrians with a new and different way to experience the city.

The green spaces along the High Line are designed with sustainability in mind. Hardy, drought-resistant plants were selected based on the self-seeded plants that grew along the tracks in the 25 years the railroad was not in use. These plants, locally sourced whenever possible, are planted in the High Line’s green roof system, which retains as much water as possible. When additional watering is needed, an irrigation system and hand watering fill the need. Additional efforts toward sustainability include onsite composting and limited use of chemically based pesticide and fertilizer.

The High Line is the only park of its kind in the United States and has brought a great deal of economic growth to Manhattan’s West Side.

The High Line – The Country’s First Elevated Railway Green Space

 

The High Line
Image: thehighline.org

An executive in the construction industry, Christopher “Chris” McNally provides construction, pre-closing evaluation, and project quality management services as the president of Falcon Enterprise Associates in New York. Chris McNally maintains an interest in urban spaces and contributes to the High Line, a green space built along an abandoned elevated railway in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.

The High Line combines wild, natural foliage with original and restored rails to create a scenic environment where members of the public can relax and enjoy breathtaking views. Elevated 30 feet above Manhattan’s West Side, the railway stands as the first public space of its kind in the country and consists of numerous creative features that include children’s exploration areas, public gathering areas, and custom wood furniture. Additionally, the High Line is separated into multiple sections: three completed sections and a small portion still under design.

Originally constructed in the 1930s, the High Line’s railway was left unattended for years after its abandonment and became overrun with rugged trees, wild grasses, and indigenous plants. The state slated the railway for demolition during the Giuliani administration, and in 1999, two area residents established the Friends of the High Line community group to transform the High Line into an elevated park-greenway. The Bloomberg administration backed the project in 2002, and construction to convert the area into a public park began in 2006.

Sonic Sea – An Award-Winning Documentary from the NRDC

Sonic Sea
Image: imdb.com

Since 2005, Christopher “Chris” McNally has served as president of Falcon Enterprises Associates (DBA Falcon Project Quality Management) in New York City. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris McNally supports environmental groups such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

In addition to overseeing programs focused on climate change, energy, water, and other areas, the NRDC pursues a variety of projects and initiatives to raise awareness about global environmental issues. In early 2016, the organization celebrated the world premiere of Sonic Sea, a documentary it produced with Imaginary Forces and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Narrated by Rachel McAdams, Sonic Sea highlights the ways that noise pollution in the ocean affects whales and other marine animals. A major problem worldwide, noise from commercial ships, machinery, and other sources is interfering with the ocean’s acoustic habitat and making it difficult for animals to communicate with one another.

Throughout 2016, Sonic Sea was screened at several US festivals, including the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, where it won the Jury Award and the Jean de Graff Environmental Filmmaking Award. The documentary also won awards at the International Ocean Film Festival in San Francisco, the Yosemite International Film Festival, the United Nations Association Film Festival, and other events.

More recently, Sonic Sea, which premiered globally on the Discovery Channel, took home awards for Outstanding Nature Documentary and Outstanding Music and Sound at the 2017 News and Documentary Emmy Awards. The film was also nominated for the 2017 Graphic Design and Art Direction Emmy.

Tisch School of the Arts, New York University – MFA in Filmmaking

 

MFA in Filmmaking
Image: tisch.nyu.edu

Before becoming president of Falcon Project Quality Management in New York, Christopher “Chris” McNally attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a bachelor of arts in history. Chris McNally also attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he earned his MFA.

Founded in 1965, the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU features a wide variety of courses in theatre and film production, allowing students to choose those that fit with their desired career goals. Graduate programs include areas like dance, acting, stage design, musical theatre writing, and film.

The graduate film studies program allows students to achieve a master of fine arts in film, providing a full range of skills to help prepare students for their desired career. During the three-year program, students will produce a minimum of four short films and take part in several shooting exercises to help develop their skills in filmmaking.

Riverside Park Conservancy Engages Teens in Local Horticulture

 

Riverside Park Conservancy
Image: riversideparknyc.org

Possessing more than two decades of experience in the construction industry, Christopher McNally heads Falcon Project Quality Management, a firm that he founded. Alongside his work with Falcon, Chris McNally is dedicated to protecting New York’s natural environment. Chris McNally supports a number of organizations working in this capacity, including Riverside Park Conservancy, which maintains and restores the green space that runs alongside the Hudson River in Manhattan.

One of the organization’s key programs is the Riverside Teen Corps, which mobilizes local high school students to contribute to the beautification of their community while gaining valuable horticulture skills. Teen Corps, which runs during the summer months, pairs volunteers with zone gardeners to care for new spring plantings and prepare the park for fall landscaping.

There are a number of opportunities available to teens, from learning how to walk with perennials, shrubs, vines, trees, and bulbs to maintaining the various equipment used to keep the park clean, safe, and beautiful. Specialized skills that teens can learn include removing invasive species and aerating tree pits.