In the bustling New York City landscape, the demands on infrastructure have never been greater. Aging systems, shifting demographics, and the constant march of progress require a new approach to urban development. To successfully evolve while maintaining its status as a global hub, the city requires a partner equipped with the diverse services, team, and project experience needed to deliver a resilient, vibrant future for the city that never sleeps.
Expanding Our Team & Services
Recent, robust growth of VHB in the New York City metro region is shaping a new era for NYC infrastructure. This expansion has allowed VHB to set pioneering industry benchmarks and broaden its service offerings to align with the city’s evolving demands. With a strategic focus on sustainability, clean energy, and innovative project delivery, VHB is redefining its role as a prominent player in the city’s development.
The company’s NYC office has nearly doubled in size since the start of 2022, welcoming several highly regarded professionals across markets. They bring diverse experience and have played a pivotal role in expanding VHB’s service lines across the city, including critical areas such as signal systems, structural engineering, traction power, and vertical transportation.
Historically renowned for its environmental and planning experience, VHB’s expanded NYC team has enabled the company to diversify its portfolio significantly in transit, rail, and bridge projects. Major wins, including EIS projects, design-builds, and institutional market successes, have also laid the foundation for this growth.
Transforming NYC’s Project Landscape
Elevating City Transit
One of VHB NYC’s most significant milestones is its role in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Program Management & Design project, which administers projects within the MTA’s $54.8B Capital Program. Through significant transportation upgrades, VHB is helping the MTA deliver a faster, more accessible, and more reliable system while providing economic and environmental benefits to the city. Recently, VHB helped the MTA successfully deliver 19 complex projects in under eight months, demonstrating the company’s client-focused commitment to exceeding expectations, navigating complexities, and designing unique strategies.
Reimagining City Infrastructure
In collaboration with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), VHB is spearheading the Station Plaza project. This transformative initiative—conceived more than 20 years ago—aims to enhance pedestrian safety, alleviate traffic congestion, and improve conditions for more than 18,000 daily transit users at a critical Queens intersection. VHB is leading an integrated team in creating wider sidewalks and pedestrian plazas, improving air quality, and introducing advanced public information systems. Through this visionary project, VHB is helping the NYCEDC shape a symbol of progress and efficiency for the city.
Expanding Healthcare Access
As the first design-build hospital project in New York, VHB is partnering with NYU Langone Health to expand its Brooklyn Endoscopy & Ambulatory Surgery Center. VHB is providing a range of civil engineering services and agency approvals for this project, which seeks to meet the demands of the growing community by offering expanded endoscopy, ambulatory surgery, and recovery services.
Innovating Urban Development
VHB NYC plays a vital role in private development projects, with multiple clients, including L+M Development Partners. Notably, VHB is instrumental in the realization of Arverne East, a pioneering and resilient mixed-use development set to become New York City's first Net Zero community. L+M has also enlisted VHB for the Alafia project, an innovative affordable housing development in Brooklyn, which will bring essential elements to an underserved community, introducing commercial and community amenities, healthcare facilities, and new open space.
Watch: Greater East Midtown’s Transformation - A 20-Year Vision / 6:19
Advancing Sustainability & Energy Evolution
As New York City cements its role as an urban leader in sustainability, VHB advances initiatives that are centered on a just transition, reducing carbon emissions, enhancing quality of life, and bolstering the green economy. Sustainability remains a cornerstone of VHB’s foundation, with a steadfast commitment to delivering solutions that address current challenges while anticipating future needs. VHB’s holistic approach to sustainability encompasses social, environmental, and economic issues as part of its solutions.
“Sustainability is intrinsic to our DNA; we build today for tomorrow. This dedication is ingrained in every facet of our work, and we take pride in our clients recognizing our unique ability to seamlessly integrate sustainable solutions into their projects. As partners, we combine our national experience with local knowledge to deliver solutions that meet our clients' requirements and uphold our shared commitment to sustainable and resilient communities.”
—Ryan Prime, Sustainability Practice Leader
VHB's commitment to ENV SP (Envision Sustainability Professional) certification is reflective of its values. Beyond simply employing professionals, it is deeply ingrained in the work that VHB undertakes. VHB is actively engaged in providing Envision™ training to the MTA and conducting Envision™ assessments on existing projects, such as the Penn Station Access Project, showcasing its pledge to sustainability in action.
Offshore wind represents a game-changing opportunity energy transition. VHB is a leader in making this vision a reality for the Tri-state area.
“At VHB, advancing offshore wind extends beyond mere energy generation; it's about redefining possibilities. As the region strives to meet their renewable energy commitments, VHB serves the offshore wind industry by providing lead regulatory, permitting, and technical consulting services, catalyzing a transformative shift towards a greener and more sustainable future.”
—KC Sahl, National Director of Offshore Wind
VHB continues to support NYC's transition to a more resilient energy landscape, making certain that the city remains at the forefront of the global energy evolution.
Leveraging Technology To Drive Transformation
VHB is also focused on remaining at the edge of industry disruption, particularly through technological advancements. While VHB has already begun implementing a host of data and technology-enabled tools across the New York metro region—including VHB’s proprietary traffic data collection tool, Intersect—the company’s vision extends further, as VHB is committed to integrating data and technology into its operations.
“We strive to stay ahead of the curve by implementing state-of-the-art tools. Our progressive approach to technology will enable us to effectively address the city’s demanding needs and efficiently support our resource-strapped agency clients. Looking ahead, we envision a fully integrated data technology team working alongside our engineers, scientists, and planners.”
—Mike McArdle, Chief Development Officer
VHB’s forward-thinking approach to technology is exemplified by its project work. For instance, VHB has embarked on an ongoing mission in New York State to make certain that reliable high-speed broadband service is accessible to all citizens. To achieve this, VHB has developed a publicly available, spatially enabled website, empowering users to easily check broadband availability in specific locations statewide. The platform, powered by Esri ArcGIS technology, not only provides essential geospatial functionality but also delivers critical information about broadband provider service availability, service types (e.g., Fiber, ASDL, Cable), and download/upload speeds.
In addition, VHB’s long-standing partnership with the New York State Library illustrates the firm’s dedication to uncovering technology-enabled solutions that benefit communities. Through the strategic use of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, VHB gains deep insights into the geographic distribution of public libraries and their alignment with demographic data. This geospatial analysis enables the firm to pinpoint populations that are underserved or unserved by the existing library system, with the aim of identifying ideal locations for future libraries. VHB continually refines and streamlines this process, leveraging U.S. Census data to enhance its analyses, ultimately contributing to the creation of more equitable spaces across New York.
As VHB navigates the ever-changing landscape of technology and innovation, the firm remains committed to driving transformation that enhances the lives of individuals and communities throughout the region.
Shaping a Brighter Future
Looking ahead, the NYC team is primed to be the go-to consultant for the city and its clients, helping to drive programs and address the next frontier for New York City.
“The city itself is undergoing a phase of redefinition, grappling with challenges of aging systems and shifting cultural dynamics. Armed with an empowered team and comprehensive suite of solutions, VHB is well positioned to support our clients on any project, from infrastructure upgrades to the repurposing assets into housing and life science facilities. We’re eager to guide the city in reexamining its foundation and shaping a forward-looking vision to secure the city’s enduring status as a central hub for generations to come.”
—Joe Pizzurro, NYC Managing Director
As VHB evolves with the city, the company will prioritize projects that help solve pressing issues across public and private sectors—including addressing the housing crisis, climate issues, and the critical need for mobility improvements—while leveraging its integrated approach to take on more program management and final design work.
READ: NYC’s Historic Housing Initiative: Creating a “City of Yes” for All
LISTEN: Raffaela Dunne and David Quart Share Insights on the Herrick Podcast
“We are prioritizing sustainable growth as the foundation of our vision. As we look to the future, our mission is focused on nurturing a city that's both vibrant and resilient. VHB stands ready to be the city's partner, addressing its evolving needs, and forging a path toward a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.”
—Joe Pizzurro, NYC Managing Director
In a city marked by constant change and innovation, VHB is leading the way in redefining infrastructure development, sustainability, and clean energy solutions. With a growing team of top talent and a commitment to innovation, VHB is setting new industry standards and driving transformative projects across New York City. As the city evolves, VHB NYC remains dedicated to guiding advanced programs and supporting clients in reshaping the city's landscape.
