PWC event highlights development and construction opportunities.

Are there construction and development opportunities outside the Big Apple? "More than ever," said Lenore Janis, president of Professional Women in Construction (PWC), which was founded in White Plains in 1980 and moved its headquarters to Manhattan in 1986. "As rentals and building costs in New York become prohibitive to many businesses, they are moving to Westchester, Rockland and Fairfield in growing numbers," said Janis.

Seeing the expanding market in the suburban counties, Janis decided to bring PWC back to its roots and began hosting networking events in Westchester this May. The October meeting, "Meet the Chiefs," held at the Ramada Inn in Elmsford, NY, was the third such reception in the county this year, and more are slated for 1999. Janis' assessment of the market was confirmed by the evening's speakers.

"We're bullish about the economic future of our area," said Marge Schnieder, executive vice president of Cappelli Enterprises, which currently has $400 million in projects under construction in the counties and is one of Westchester's leading development firms in the construction of office buildings, laboratories, residences, commercial properties, mixed-use developments, shopping centers and parking structures.

Cappelli is currently working on several components of New Rochelle's revitalization, including a speculative office building and a Marriott Residence hotel, as well as luxury townhomes in Dobbs Ferry and developments of single-family homes in Greenburgh, NY; Southbury, CT; and a suburb of Washington., D.C. "We pursue new opportunities," she said.

The other guests were similarly optimistic about the suburban prospects.

Jeff Newman, senior vice president of Connecticut operations for W & M Properties, said "There's tremendous opportunity in Westchester and Fairfield. Companies are looking to economize. There's good proximity to major highways, and to New York." He noted also that two keys to future growth will be multi-tenanting and long-term leasing "to weather the market's uncertainties."

Roberta Rodriguez, director of procurement and technical assistance center of the Rockland Economic Development Corporation, reports that the agency assisted 52 small businesses last year, awarding 686 government contracts under the U.S. Department of Defense or federal, state/local funding for a total of $30.6 million. This year, 52 clients have been awarded over 700 contracts as of September. "Many of the businesses we help are small, disadvantaged or women-owned," she raid.

Abby Hamlin, president of Hamlin Ventures, LLC, realizes that being a woman developer makes her "something of an oddity." She noted, "The world always expects a Donald Trump, a mogul. I'm here to keep all the women encouraged." Hamlin said that while few women have become owner/investors, she hopes that the numbers will grow. She told the audience that her criteria for taking new projects is that a "a job has to be interesting to me and profitable to my firm." The company is converting a 400,000 square-foot industrial property to office use and conducting a site search for a major hotel and entertainment development in Manhattan.

Rachel Hyman, project manager with the City of New Rochelle, Department of Development, listed projects her agency is working on in the urban revitalization of the city, including an urban entertainment center, the Marriott Residence that Cappelli is developing, an office complex and an intercity bus depot, as well as three senior housing projects. She invited guests to explore the firm's website and contact her.

Robert S. Skolnick, vice president of marketing and new development with The Jack Parker Corp., reported that his company is completing the largest leasing transaction in Westchester in 1998, totaling 192,000 square feet by the year's end.

"We believe in the strength of the Westchester market," he said. "We own properties in New Jersey and Manhattan and know these markets are bursting at the seams." Skolnick pointed out that New York commercial rents are hitting $70 per square foot, and New Jersey and Fairfield County (Connecticut) are generating $30 plus per square foot. "Companies are looking at the Westchester market as an opportunity, and our experience at Parker Corporate Center tells us there is a strong demand for Class A office space within this market," he said.

Lois Weiss, contributing editor of Real Estate Weekly, told the audience that the publication profiles companies, and "as a Westchester resident, I'm interested in what's happening here."

The audience was eager to meet the various "chiefs" who came to outline opportunities with their firms. Schneider had barely descended the podium when guests lined up to hand her business cards, chat and shake hands. Similar groups greeted the other speakers. Several guests, when asked why they came to the event, replied in hushed tones that "frankly," their only reason was the hope of meeting a specific "Ms. or Mr. Bigwig."

"People come to PWC's 'Meet the Chiefs' evening to mingle with the people who have work," said Janis. "We hand pick the 'Chiefs,' and they're always an All-Star cast, ready and willing to share information and outline possible job opportunities. We bring everyone together and let things happen. It's often a profitable mix for both parties."

Michael Levine, P.E., president of Atometrics Engineering, said this was his first visit to a PWC event. "We're looking to develop working relations with good companies," he said. "If it's a woman-owned business, so much the better."

Jennifer Myer, marketing manager with the Manhattan-based Stuart Dean Co., is "looking for new business in Westchester."

Dee Cassidy, with Mo Car Construction of The Bronx, was delighted to have networking opportunities in the county where she lives. And Kristine Hill DeNapoli, president/treasurer of 3-D Licensed Electrical Contracting & Service Corp., traveled from West Islip on Long Island because she's "looking to hear about upcoming jobs and keep up with the latest information."

The evening featured several exhibit tables, including Smart Dean Co.; Omnipoint; Quantum Corporate Funding; John Hancock Life; Building Women of Habitat for Humanity; Women of Faith Day Care Center and Anixter, Inc. David Stillman of Anixter, a V.A.R. of computer components, said "More and more companies are leaving the city. Swiss Bank, General Reinsurance, GE and Nine West have all recently had facilities constructed in Stamford. And IBM has a new office in Yorktown, while Financial and Fuji Networks just built in Westchester. There's a huge market here."

Founded in 1980, Professional Women in Construction is a non-profit association dedicated to the advancement of women business owners, professionals and executives actively engaged in construction and allied industries. It presents over 15 events annually. This year's event are funded, in part, by corporate sponsors and associate sponsors including: Citibank; Goetz, Fitzpatrick, Carbone et al; Henegan Construction; The Kronman Letter; Port Authority of NY & NJ; Tishman Realty and Construction; LCOR, Inc.; Slattery Skanska; Pecker & Abramson; ACC Construction; Architectural Metalworks; Ava Shypula Consulting; Hazardous Elimination Corp; Quantum Corporate Funding; and Real Estate Weekly. PWC awards are granted each year to major construction projects; women of achievement; and men who have aided and encouraged the advancement of women in the industry. Membership is open to individuals, corporations and government agencies.

PWC's annual Trade Fair and Business to Business Marketing event will be held on November 17th from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at the Pfizer Conference Center in Manhattan. For more information about PWC, call [phone].