Columbia Taps Local Construction Firms for Manhattanville Project

Columbia Taps Local Construction Firms for Manhattanville Project

February 1, 2012 1:24pm | By Jeff Mays, DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

Andrew Wiggins (left) of Superior Quality Craftsmen speaks with Philip Pitruzzello, vice president Manhattanville Construction for Columbia University about job opportunities. (DNAinfo/Jeff Mays)

HARLEM — Columbia University's $6.4 billion, 17-acre Manhattanville campus is big business, but it's small companies that stand to reap the profits.

The project's managers are actively reaching out to construction companies based in upper Manhattan and the South Bronx, small businesses and those operated by minorities and women.

"All I need is a chance to compete," said Andrew Wiggins of Superior Quality Craftsmen, who came to a recent information session for people seeking work at the site.

"There's a great opportunity to get work here, but we need to know we will be part of it and not shut out by the big guys."

More than 150 contractors showed up to the work fair where Columbia officials told them they are committed to making sure that 35 percent of all construction dollars spent, outside of work that requires special skills, goes to women, minorities and locally-owned businesses.

Columbia has been criticized by various community groups because they say they don't see that the thousands of jobs the university promised as part of the project have materialized, while functioning businesses were displaced because of the project.

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