On April 4, 2013, Columbia University and Manhattan Community Board 9 hosted an open house information session to update the community on construction activities, detailed construction-related short/long term street closures, and other initiatives at the University's Manhattanville campus development. Over 100 community residents that attended were able to speak with representatives from Columbia, the Community Board, and the construction firms working at the site to learn more about the development and opportunities for minority, women and local businesses and individuals.
Attendees were also able to meet representatives from local unions and pre-apprenticeship programs such as Nontraditional Employment for Women, The Edward J. Malloy Initiative for Construction Skills and Helmets to Hardhats and learn about programs that train New Yorkers with the skills necessary to access careers in the building and construction trades.
