BOMA New York: Advocacy that delivers results - Sharon Hart

Anyone who has spent a career operating commercial real estate in New York understands just how complex our regulatory environment has become. Local, state, and federal requirements touch virtually every aspect of our buildings — from life safety systems and elevator operations to energy performance and workforce protections. 

These regulations serve important purposes. But those of us who operate buildings also know that the success of any regulation ultimately depends on how effectively it can be implemented in the real world. That is why I believe our industry needs to be part of the conversation. 

For me, this is one of BOMA New York’s most important responsibilities. 

Advocacy should not simply be about supporting or opposing regulation. It should be about bringing practical knowledge and operational experience to the table so that policymakers understand how proposed requirements will affect buildings, tenants, employees, and the professionals responsible for keeping those buildings running every day. 

When government and industry work collaboratively, we can often find solutions that accomplish the intended objective while also being practical to implement. A recent change involving elevator inspections is a great example. 

A recent increase in wait times for Department of Buildings inspections, contributed to significant delays in elevator inspections, leaving building owners waiting extended periods to certify compliance following repairs and installations. This was not simply an inconvenience for owners and managers; it was an operational challenge that needed a workable solution. 

BOMA New York and REBNY worked with the city to help address the issue, supporting a program that allows qualified third-party elevator consultants to witness and certify compliance testing. The result created additional inspection capacity and improved turnaround times while maintaining the rigorous safety standards New Yorkers expect. 

I think this example demonstrates something important: industry expertise and strong regulation do not have to be competing interests. When the people developing regulations and the people responsible for implementing them communicate openly, we can often achieve better outcomes.  

That is where the knowledge and engagement of our members becomes essential. 

BOMA New York’s Codes & Regulations Committee, co-chaired by Mark Landstrom of CBRE and Domingo Diaz of Diaz Architects & Associates, provides an important forum for that expertise. The committee monitors local, state, and federal code developments and gives our members an opportunity not only to understand what is coming, but also to discuss what those changes will mean from an operational perspective. 

Our Energy & Sustainability Committee, co-chaired by Christopher Cayten of CodeGreen and Mehdi Hosseini of JLL, provides that same level of engagement around one of the most consequential issues facing our industry today. As New York continues to advance ambitious climate and building-performance goals, owners and operators need to understand both what is required and how those requirements can realistically be achieved across an incredibly diverse building stock. 

These committees do more than keep our members informed. They create a direct connection between the expertise within our membership and BOMA New York’s advocacy efforts. 

When an issue requires a broader association response, our Ad Hoc Advocacy Committee brings together subject matter experts who understand the issue firsthand. These are professionals come from across our membership - from those who manage buildings, oversee engineering and operations, develop capital plans, and manage budgets, as well as allied and professional members working in the trades, service industry, architecture, engineering, and consulting. Together with our public affairs team, expertise can be translated into thoughtful and constructive engagement with city agencies and elected officials.  

That process is important because good policy benefits from practical experience. 

Our policymakers are addressing very real challenges involving building safety, sustainability, energy efficiency, and workforce conditions. At the same time, BOMA New York members bring decades of collective experience operating some of the most complex commercial properties in the world. That knowledge is valuable, and we have a responsibility to bring it forward. 

As chair, I want our members to recognize that advocacy is not something that happens somewhere outside of our day-to-day work. It begins with the experiences we have inside our buildings. When something is working, when a requirement creates an unintended operational challenge, or when we see an opportunity for a better solution, BOMA New York provides a way to bring that experience into the larger conversation. 

The elevator inspection initiative demonstrates what can happen when we do that effectively, and there will undoubtedly be many more opportunities ahead. 

New York’s regulatory environment will continue to evolve, particularly around energy performance, building safety, and workforce standards. BOMA New York will continue to be at the table—not only advocating for our industry, but contributing the knowledge and experience necessary to develop solutions that work for our buildings, our tenants, our workforce, and New York City. 

Sharon Hart, RPA, CPM, LEED AP, is chair of BOMA New York.