The New York Philharmonic and Lincoln Center are committed to investing in New York’s economic future; that means investing in New Yorkers.

As we worked together to transform David Geffen Hall—the home of New York City’s legendary orchestra—into a world-class concert hall and a major new tourist destination, our workforce development program for New Yorkers in the local community new to the construction industry was at the center of the effort.

30 program participants graduated from a five-week, full-time paid in-classroom course to introduce program participants to the construction industry. They also received one-on-one mentorship and trained onsite at David Geffen Hall with the goal of full-time employment with either Turner or one of its trade partners, as well as union membership.

The project supports $600 million in ongoing economic development and 6,000 jobs for New Yorkers. The team secured 42% participation from minority- and women-owned businesses during the course of construction; 51% of the workforce derived from underrepresented communities. David Geffen Hall is a statement of faith in our city across a massive team of people who believed in the enduring power of New York’s cultural landscape, even in moments when the city’s future was unclear—and came together to make it a reality.