When Bradley Siciliano ’92, took over as chief operating officer of the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City in July of 2018, he never imagined that in less than two years he’d be on the cutting edge of health care helping, as he says, “create a new model for emergency relief in the future.”
Siciliano first began working at the Javits Center in January of 2014, serving as associate general counsel, before moving on to become senior vice president and general counsel in December of 2015. He remained general counsel when he became COO, but finally transitioned out of the general counsel role in March of 2019. Siciliano’s earlier legal career included work in commercial litigation, and as in-house counsel at both JVC and Sharp Electronics.
“It was a big shift to walk away from the law,” Siciliano says. “But it was a big opportunity to flip to the business side of things. I loved being in-house counsel, but now I love not being constrained to the narrow box of being a lawyer – although really, you’re always a lawyer. My legal experience influences how I navigate issues but being on the business side lets me think differently about problems we encounter.”
From Convention Center to Field Hospital
In his role as COO, Siciliano oversees the development, design, operation, and improvement of all systems that create and deliver the services provided by the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, including all financial, facilities and infrastructure, human resources, labor, and sales and marketing operations. Currently, the Javits Center is undergoing a major expansion project, slated to be completed in 2021, which includes an on-site truck garage and rooftop event space.
As if all of that weren’t enough, on March 10, Javits employees were instructed to pack up and work from home to avoid spread of the coronavirus while the Javits Center was being used as a warehouse and distribution center to respond to the pandemic. Ten days later, on March 20, Governor Cuomo announced that the Javits Center was going to be used as a hospital.
“It was a bit chaotic,” Siciliano says. But the quick change led to a collaboration, and what could become the model for building emergency field hospitals in the future. In only four days, Javits Center staff worked with close to 20 State, City and Federal agencies to build an initial 500-bed medical facility, which was then expanded in two additional building phases to approximately 2500-bed facility.
A Model of Efficiency
On May 7, NPR released a study comparing the cost of construction of field hospitals all over the country in response to the coronavirus. Siciliano, proudly, shared that the study revealed, “the Javits Center was the most efficiently built by millions of dollars. We built almost twice as many patient care units than some other field hospitals at less than 10% of the cost.”
“We’re the busiest convention center in the country, so we know how to break down and set up quickly.”
“We did it ourselves, using our staff instead of outside contractors,” said Siciliano. That not only made it less costly, but also more efficient. “Our staff had experience with similar set-ups, while most of the contractors had never done anything like this before. Were the busiest convention center in the country, so we know how to break down and set up quickly. And our building is designed for this kind of layout with power boxes and plumbing lines placed throughout the halls for easy connection.”
A Coordinated Effort
Because of their experience building systems for conventions, “We told the National Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers that we needed to be included in the design process.” As a result, Javits Center staff developed a floor plan utilizing event booth systems that helped to preserve patient safety and privacy, and to separate patient and non-patient areas. That became especially important once they began accepting COVID-19 patients. But they didn’t do it alone.
“Everyone — state, city and federal officials — all worked together. There was no territorialism, and that made a huge difference.”
“Everyone — state, city and federal officials — all worked together. There was no territorialism, and that made a huge difference. Everyone did what they were best at, from the military doctors to the National Guard to the Army Corps of Engineers. In a cynical time, it really gave me an appreciation for how people can work together for the public good.”
Although he is no longer engaged in the practice of law per se in his current role, Siciliano describes what he does now as quasi-political. “All of my previous legal experience is brought to bear.” In converting the Javits Center to a medical facility, Siciliano used his experience in labor relations to negotiate with the unions, who “worked with us to develop a plan to help keep costs down in building out the medical facility. I coordinated with the various agencies on site, including the Health and Human Service, Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Guard. We had to determine who was responsible for what, who paid for what, and who had the authority to approve what.”
Sustainability and Social Responsibility
While helping support New York State’s response to the coronavirus has been incredibly rewarding, Siciliano looks forward to returning to the Javits Center’s intended role of economic development. “In my function, I get to use my commercial experience to help create jobs for people in the State of New York. I have always had a social responsibility perspective, but I really get to exercise that now; it’s actually part of my job description to support the local economy. I can pick vendors based not just on the lowest price, but on things like how they treat their workforce, whether they offer good health benefits and whether hiring them will benefit our community.”
Supporting the community takes many shapes at the Javits Center. “It’s an exciting time to be at the Javits Center. We’re doing all kinds of things beyond just hosting conventions. We’re part of the sustainability movement. We are undergoing a $1 billion expansion that includes a green roof system with a farm that will provide produce for farm-to-table meals in at the Center, houses beehives that produce honey, and acts as a bird sanctuary. We’re in the process of installing a solar farm with the arrays shading our HVAC units, and helping reduce the air temperature the units are cooling. We’re even experimenting with bird friendly wind turbines. Our green roof system has already reduced the temperature around the building in the hot months by as much as 3 degrees, and retains rain water, reducing water runoff. Everything is connected. It’s fun, it helps engage employees and tells a good story for the Center’s role in the community.”
The Future of Conventions at the Javits Center
Siciliano is hopeful about the future. “We came back after 9/11, after Hurricane Sandy and we will come back after this,” he says. “It will take some work to get back to where we want to be, but we will get there. Shows in the future are likely to look very different. People will need to be more spread out. Fortunately, we have the space.”
“It will take some work to get back to where we want to be, but we will get there.”
“In the short terms, we’re planning for some smaller event, focusing on New York business and cultural institutions, after the hospital (which is currently on hold, having discharged its last patient approximately 2 weeks ago) is dismantled and the building is disinfected. We’re confident people want to return to live events again. If I’ve learned one thing from working remotely for the last several months, it’s that there’s no substitute for meeting with people face to face.”
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