Design Guidelines

Building and Land Development Services

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Building and Land Development Services

Building and Land Development Services (BLDS) provides architectural, engineering, environmental, cost valuation, and construction support services for HPD-assisted new construction and preservation projects. BLDS provides an array of technical services commencing in the pre-construction phase and continuing through the post-construction close-out period. Services include:

  • In-house scope development, bid review, and award recommendation for moderate rehabilitation programs
  • Architectural design consultations and reviews
  • Environmental reviews
  • Engineering/Construction Documents reviews
  • Construction monitoring, and if requested, requisition review and change order processing
  • J-51 and post-construction inspections

eBLDS

In 2015, HPD launched an electronic document submission and review system called BLDS eSubmit to facilitate the architectural design and engineering review of new construction and substantial rehabilitation projects. In 2020, after a series of enhancements and an expansion to capture additional services, including moderate rehabilitation reviews, environmental reviews, and cost valuation, BLDS eSubmit was rebranded and relaunched as eBLDS.

eBLDS is an electronic document submission and review system which combines and leverages the capabilities of several digital platforms, including SharePoint, Bluebeam Revu, Box.com, and Microsoft Outlook, into a single process that streamlines not only the internal BLDS processes, but also the interface between HPD, the Department of Buildings (DOB), and our partners outside the agency.

Through the integrated use of these tools, external partners—including sponsors, developers, owners, and architects—can electronically submit PDF drawings and documents to HPD-BLDS for review and approval purposes. To increase transparency throughout the review process, partners receive automated email notifications through Microsoft Outlook during each status change and milestone of the review process.

As part of the system, BLDS utilizes the Bluebeam Revu software - a PDF editing tool that allows for markups and comments to be added directly on the drawings - which is the same software used by the DOB. This process has positioned the agency to better coordinate its reviews with the DOB to reduce plan processing times, eliminate unnecessary duplication of efforts, minimize delays, and enhance the customer experience. Note: External partners must coordinate with their HPD Project Manager in order to initiate reviews through eBLDS.

Resources

New Construction Checklists and Documents

Preservation Checklists and Documents

HPD Contact

BLDS.Contact@hpd.nyc.gov