Episode 84 of Building Knowledge with the Building and Realty Institute (BRI) spotlighted the latest work of the Welcome Home Westchester Campaign—a county-wide advocacy effort uniting diverse partners to address Westchester’s housing shortage.

Our guest was Sarah Tavares, Campaign Organizer for Welcome Home Westchester, making her first appearance on Building Knowledge.

The conversation covered:

1. An overview of the Welcome Home Westchester Campaign and its coalition members.
2. The “5 in 25” agenda, outlining recommended actions municipalities can take to expand housing opportunities.
3. Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent announcement of a second round of Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund (MHMF) Awards, half of which support projects in Westchester, and why the campaign partners applauded the initiative.
4. The growing support from county officials and faith leaders for the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act.
5. Sarah’s perspective on whether local and state legislators are developing a deeper understanding of Westchester’s housing crisis.
6. What Sarah would say directly to policymakers if given the chance to address them on the urgent need for housing solutions.

Episode 83 of Building Knowledge with the Building and Realty Institute (BRI) explored “What Energy Costs Could Be for Fall and Winter.” Our guest, Dan Singer of Robison, returned for his second appearance on the podcast. Robison, based in Port Chester, is a leading energy company serving Westchester and beyond, and Dan has long been a trusted voice on energy trends through his past appearances on BRI’s former radio programs.

In this episode, Dan broke down what building owners, managers, and homeowners should expect this late fall and winter, including:

1. Heating oil price outlook for the 2025–26 season.
2. Natural gas pricing trends and what they mean for different types of properties.
3. Energy-saving strategies for multi-family buildings.
4. Practical tips for single-family homeowners, co-op/condo unit owners, and tenants to cut energy costs.
5. Regional variations in U.S. energy prices and why they matter.

The conversation also touched on Dan’s broader concerns for the New York metro area and the nation, as well as the role of current world events in shaping the energy sector.

Episode 82 of “Building Knowledge with the Building and Realty Institute (BRI)” spotlighted the Alexander Development Group’s latest milestone: receiving Site Plan Resolution approval for 140 East Prospect Avenue, a 21-story mixed-use tower planned for Mount Vernon in Westchester County.

Our guest, Nicholas Alexander, Managing Director of the Alexander Development Group, made his debut on the podcast to share insights into the company’s vision and projects. The conversation covered:

1. A full overview of the 140 East Prospect Avenue development.
2. Perkins Eastman’s role in the project.
3. How the tower is being designed to meet the National Green Building Standard.
4. The integration of Passive House technology.
5. Whether more Passive House projects can be expected in the New York metro area.
6. How the development fits into Mount Vernon’s broader Downtown Vision Plan.
7. The biggest challenges facing builders and developers today, both regionally and nationally.

Episode 81 of Building Knowledge with the Building and Realty Institute (BRI) takes a deep dive into today’s financial climate and the challenges it poses for the building, realty, and construction industries.

Our guest, Robert Withers, Principal of M1 Capital Corporation, shares his expertise on financing trends, hurdles, and strategies for industry professionals. A longtime friend of the BRI, this marks his first appearance on our podcast series after joining us on past radio programs.

Key topics include:
🔹 The impact of elevated interest rates on construction and real estate
🔹 Forecasts for rate reductions—and what they could mean for the industry
🔹 How labor shortages affect financing and lending processes
🔹 What lenders are looking for when evaluating inquiries
🔹 Practical steps companies can take to strengthen financing applications
🔹 Lending trends tied to residential resurgence and renovation projects
🔹 Financing challenges for builders, developers, and rent-stabilized property owners
🔹 Financial issues facing co-op and condo boards across New York
🔹 Robert Withers’ outlook for the economy and finance sector in 2025

Tune in to hear timely insights on navigating today’s financial headwinds and positioning your business for success.

In this episode, we take an in-depth look at New York State’s new law phasing out the most common refrigerant used in HVAC systems—and what the transition means for contractors, building owners, and design engineers. Our guest is Miguel Quintanilla, Principal of Collado Engineering in White Plains, NY. This marks Miguel’s second appearance on Building Knowledge, following his insightful discussion on sprinkler systems in Episode 62.

Topics covered include:

1. Refrigerant fundamentals and the science behind them
2. The phase-out of R-410A refrigerant
3. The regulatory landscape, with a focus on New York Part 494
4. Equipment and applications impacted by the R-410A ban
5. Compliance deadlines for contractors, owners, managers, and manufacturers
6. Key steps to prepare for the refrigerant transition
7. The rise of A2L refrigerants
8. Expert advice on designing or upgrading HVAC systems in 2025

Episode 79 of Building Knowledge With The Building and Realty Institute (BRI) takes a deep dive into how the Village of Port Chester in Westchester County is putting its Smart Growth Housing Plan into action — and seeing results.

Our guest, Stuart Rabin, Village Manager of Port Chester, shared insights on the driving forces behind the village’s housing strategy, its goals, and the roadblocks along the way. The conversation covered:

1. What sparked the creation of Port Chester’s Smart Growth Plan for Housing
2. The key objectives behind the plan — then and now
3. The challenges village officials have encountered during implementation
4. Completed developments that have expanded the village’s housing stock
5. What’s currently proposed or in progress
6. Rabin’s perspective on whether local and state leaders have become more attuned to the urgent need for Affordable and Workforce Housing in the metro area
7. His take on the biggest housing-related challenges facing municipalities in Westchester and the Mid-Hudson region — and what it will take to solve them

This episode offers a grounded, firsthand look at smart growth in action — and what other communities can learn from Port Chester’s approach.

In this episode, we dive into the critical steps property owners and managers should take now to prepare for winter. Our guest is Robert Ferrara, President and CEO of The Ferrara Management Group, Inc., based in Bedford Hills, NY, and a board member of the Advisory Council of Managing Agents (ACMA)—an affiliate of BRI representing top property management firms across Westchester and the Mid-Hudson Region.

Robert shares expert insights on:

• Essential preventative maintenance checks before the cold sets in
• Key areas to inspect on your building’s exterior
• How to weatherize multifamily and commercial properties effectively
• The importance of timely HVAC and heat source inspections
• Winterizing amenity spaces like pools, decks, and rooftop lounges
• Preparing parking garages and lots for snow, ice, and wear
• Best practices for year-round preventative maintenance
• The top challenges currently facing building and facility managers

If you're responsible for a residential or commercial property, this episode is your seasonal maintenance checklist—wrapped in expert advice.

In this episode of Building Knowledge with The Building and Realty Institute (BRI), we’re joined by insurance expert and returning guest Jason Schiciano, Co-President of Levitt-Fuirst Insurance and Bonding, based in Tarrytown, NY.

Jason breaks down the most pressing insurance issues facing the building, realty, and general business sectors as of mid-2025. Tune in for insights on:

• The top insurance trends impacting construction and building professionals
• What’s behind the rising costs for owners and managers of multifamily buildings
• The biggest concerns Jason sees on the horizon for the realty industry
• How businesses across all sectors can prepare for the rest of 2025
• Why Cyber Liability Insurance is no longer optional
• And the ongoing benefits of Workers’ Comp Groups 458 and 530 for BRI members

Whether you're a contractor, property owner, or business leader, this episode delivers the insurance knowledge you need to stay ahead.

In this episode of Building Knowledge, we’re joined once again by marketing and PR expert Michael Dardano, principal of The Buzz Potential, a Tuckahoe-based firm serving the New York metro area.

We dive into actionable marketing strategies for businesses as they navigate the summer and prepare for the fall. Topics include:

• Which social media platforms are best for summer outreach
• Whether broadcast and print media still have value in seasonal campaigns
• How to plan ahead for fall marketing—and when to start
• New media trends, tools, and routines to watch for
• The impact of national policy, like tariffs, on marketing decisions
• And insights on the current mindset of business owners across the region

Whether you're fine-tuning your summer message or looking ahead to Q4, this episode offers timely, practical advice to help you make the most of your marketing efforts.

In this episode of Building Knowledge with The Building and Realty Institute (BRI), we’re joined by returning expert Thad McKeown, Director of Sales at Integrated Protection Services, to talk all things security—just in time for the busy summer season.

Whether you manage a multifamily property, own a commercial building, or just want to protect your home, this episode is packed with practical tips and timely insights. Topics include:

🔒 Seasonal security reminders for homeowners and property managers
💡 Why after-hours lighting is more critical than you think
🆕 The latest in security tech for residential and commercial buildings
🏢 Summer-specific strategies for office, retail, industrial, and warehouse facilities
🌪️ How environmental damage impacts security—and how to stay protected
🧠 A refresher on general security best practices
📉 Plus: Thad’s take on today’s market climate and whether tariffs are impacting the security industry

Listen now to stay one step ahead—and one layer more secure.