BY AL BARBARINO

The New York Building Congress will issue a series of recommendations today that would go “a long way” toward mitigating the risk associated with future storms like Hurricane Sandy.

A task force made up of 43 local experts found that insufficient power and telecommunications reliability, “uneven emergency response,” vulnerable infrastructure and antiquated building systems contributed to the devastation wreaked by the monster storm.

“New York City must assume that this kind of storm will occur more frequently and be far better prepared in the future,” said former Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch, chair of a special task force for storm preparedness, in a statement.

“If the recommendations in this report are followed, then we will have come a long way toward mitigating the worst impacts on the region’s residents and economy,” he added.

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BY GUS DELAPORTE

The National Futures Association, the self-regulatory organization for the U.S. derivatives industry, is relocating to One New York Plaza from 120 Broadway after signing a 10-year, 36,000-square-foot lease–the first for the property since it sustained damage during Hurricane Sandy. Asking rents were $49 per square foot.

“As a self-regulatory body, our responsibilities and headcount were increasing,” said Karen Weurtz, spokesperson for the NFA. “Our lease was terminating and we needed more space; this was the time to do it.”

The regulatory organization expects to occupy its new office by the end of the year and is assuming responsibility of building out the space to accommodate 150 people.

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BY BILLY GRAY

Donald Trump told The Commercial Observer that his upcoming hotel in Washington DC’s Old Post Office Pavilion “will be as luxurious as any hotel in this country and beyond.”

The Trump Organization announced yesterday that it had completed negotiations for a 60-year lease to redevelop and manage the 114-year-old property at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue. Redevelopment is expected to begin in 2014, with a roughly 260-room hotel slated to open in 2016. The agreement between The Trump Organization and the US General Services Administration will now go to Congress for a 30-day review period.

“It’s going to be really great,” Mr. Trump said. “There’s tremendous potential. We’ll make it magnificent and return the building to its original glory.” The agreement states that $200 million of private sector funds will go toward the restoration of the federal building on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 12th Street in the heart of the nation’s capital.

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BY MICHAEL EWING

Magolin Winer & Evens LLP will be hosting a breakfast on acquiring, repositioning, renovating and operating properties. Featured speakers will include Stephen Meringoff of Himmel + Meringoff and Eran Polack of HAP Investments.
Magolin Winer & Evens LLP: Acquisition, Repositioning, Renovatin, and Operating Properties, 101 Club, 101 Park Avenue, 8-10am; contact Jennifer Wassenbergh at (516) 240-4238 for more information.

The Women’s SIG of CoreNet New York will be hosting its fourth annual networking reception at CBRE’s outdoor terrace at 200 Park Avenue.
Women’s SIG: Fourth Annual Spring into Summer 2013 Networking Reception, CBRE, 200 Park Avenue at 44th Street, 5:30-8:30pm; email Jody Brown at jody.brown@thomsonreuters.com or Debra Cole dcole@hlw.com for more information.

Join the Real Estate Lenders Association for a seminar on loan documents and tips to help commercial real estate bankers to protect their position and avoid disputes with borrowers.
Real Estate Lenders Association: NYC Education Seminar on Loan Documents That Work in Good Times and Bad, Katten Muchin Rosenman, H Rooms – 11th floor, 575 Madison Avenue, 4-6pm; visit www.rela.org for more information.