America’s Road To Wealth - Vol 2 Chapter 418

Chapter 418 The problem of building wonders on Manhattan Island

“…he looks so happy.”

Manhattan, New York, Waldorf Astoria Hotel Banquet Hall.

In the corner of the hall, on the sofa in the rest area.

Mr. Mayor of New York, and the chairman of Smith Capital.

Surrounded by several bodyguards, the two sat in the sofa booth and talked softly.

The speaker is Mr. Mayor.

Bloomberg’s eyes are looking at Ted Lerner, who is beaming in the distance and talking with many people.

He smiled at Abel and said the above sentence.

Across from Bloomberg, Abel holds a glass of Pinewood Chenin Blanc Viognier from California’s Napa Valley.

When it comes to wine and red wine, the first thing that people think of in the world is often the output of Europe, especially France.

But in fact, the United States, with its vast land and abundant resources, has a climate more suitable for growing wine grapes than Burgundy in France.

The wines produced in many places in the United States are not inferior to Europe in terms of quality.

Maybe a little better.

It’s just that old Europe takes up an old word.

Like those luxuries.

European luxury goods seem to be more upscale than American ones, and more popular with rich people.

Wine is the same as luxury goods.

At least Pinewood Winery’s Pinewood Chenin Blanc Viognier.

Abel felt that it was much better than Romanee-Conti and 82 Lafite.

The same is true, except for brand marketing.

Another country with a vast land and abundant resources, Huaxia.

The wine grapes produced in some places, coupled with the rich flavor process, can also produce wines with a quality that is not inferior to that of old Europe.

Just like American wines, it is not as good as old Europe in terms of branding.

So much so that the price cannot be sold, and even the people of my own country don’t recognize it.

“It should be something to be happy about.” He took a sip of the white wine.

Abel chuckled back to Bloomberg.

“Ted is doing pretty well in his own field. That’s something he should be happy about.”

Bloomberg smiled.

Is Ted Lerner doing a good job?

Hehe, if you were really good, how could you go bankrupt so many times?

New Yorkers know it.

Had it not been for a good dad, Ted Lerner might have been one of the many homeless people on the streets of New York.

Bloomberg would naturally not say such words to Abel.

Mr. Mayor smiled and said: “Let’s talk about our affairs.”

Abel nodded.

“After you were “attacked”, many things went smoothly. Robert took advantage of the victory and pursued, and got rid of many people.”

Bloomberg looked at Abel and said seriously:

“The work that was originally expected to be completed by the end of the year has now been more than half completed. Most of the demolition and land acquisition contracts may be completed in May.”

Abel knows that Bloomberg is talking about the Hudson Bay Town Square in Manhattan.

This may be the most valuable real estate project in the United States after the 21st century.

It appeared earlier than the parallel time and space under the impetus of several New York local snakes.

Especially Abel, to build a spectacle in Manhattan.

He is particularly concerned about this aspect.

“This is really a good thing.” Abel smiled.

The Hudson Bay land parcel involved almost hundreds of large and small owners.

Among these owners, there are super giants such as Morgan and Rockefeller.

There are also some poor people who are currently receiving relief.

That’s Manhattan, the only large-scale land currently available for development since the Gilded Age.

The complexity of its land rights, equity, and creditor’s rights makes any American real estate giant scratch its head.

It is precisely because of these reasons that even though its location is so good and so big, it is still on Manhattan Island.

But not many businessmen are willing to develop it.

In the parallel time and space, the New York government is also after the financial crisis in 2007 and 2008.

In order to boost the economy of New York, in order to make the GDP look better. It took a lot of effort to push this project forward.

But even with the full efforts of the New York government, it took almost three years to succeed.

The construction time is still very long.

Until Abel crossed over.

The Hudson Bay Square project has not yet been completed.

Now because of the appearance of Abel, this project has been promoted by the government of New York City earlier.

As Abel’s influence and wealth and status increase.

In this year, through the “attack” event.

And a strong push from Bloomberg and Robert Morgenthau.

This project was officially launched in the face of huge resistance.

Seeing Abel’s calm smile, Bloomberg laughed too.

Mr. Mayor said:

“I think we can now start discussing who will complete the construction of this project. This is a super fat job, and it is enough to attract any real estate company.”

Involves tens of billions of dollars in investment.

It is also a huge real estate project covering an area of ​​10.5 hectares in Manhattan Island, a place where every inch of land is expensive.

There is too much oil and water in it.

This is only the value and investment of the project itself.

Because other than the project itself.

Throughout Hudson Yards, there will also be key municipal projects such as surrounding supporting facilities and subway line renovation.

All these add up, and the total investment may reach hundreds of billions of dollars.

At least seven or eight billion US dollars.

Among them, the government of New York City is responsible for about half, mainly those municipal facilities.

This is definitely the largest single investment in the entire United States after the 21st century.

“First of all, we need to guarantee the cost.” Abel said.

“Money should come out of our pockets. I don’t want my money to go into other people’s pockets for nothing.”

“So in terms of cost, we must ensure the quality and at the same time, the cost is the lowest.”

Bloomberg nodded.

Undoubtedly, Mr. Mayor will also invest in it.

If other people make money on the project, they are also taking advantage of Bloomberg.

Capitalists can tolerate anything.

I just can’t bear to make less money.

“Then what is your idea? Who will be in charge? Or, which real estate construction companies will be responsible for the construction. For such a large project, one or two real estate companies will definitely not be able to handle it. Like Mr. Lerner, he can at most It can only bear about 3% to 5% of the share.”

Bloomberg’s remarks are actually very euphemistic.

Let alone 5% of the entire project.

Maybe even 3%, Ted Lerner’s company has a little support.

Even if the total investment is calculated at a minimum of 70 billion US dollars.

3% also has $2.1 billion.

A real estate project with a construction cost of $2.1 billion.

Since the birth of the entire Lerner Real Estate Group, all the projects built by itself are estimated to be worth this much money.

Giving Ted Lerner this share is already entirely for the sake of human relationship.

“certainly.”

Abel said softly: “It is impossible for Lerner Real Estate Group to undertake such a large project. Some small projects inside can be handed over to him.”

“Tell me.” Bloomberg said: “There are only two of us here, talk about your specific thoughts.”

“I have an idea that is not very mature. If I use this idea, the cost may be kept to a minimum.”

Looking at Bloomberg, Abel said.

“Tell me, what kind of thinking.”

“I have learned about it.” Abel said softly: “A large-scale real estate project. In terms of building materials and tools, while quality is required, the cost is almost fixed, and the fluctuation is relatively small.”

Bloomberg nodded.

Even if he is not a real estate businessman, Bloomberg knows this as well.

In the United States, a country with such an early industrialization time.

The construction industry has been developed for hundreds of years, and the construction cost has already become transparent and industrialized.

Building materials of the same grade, after reaching a certain amount, the cost will not change too much.

1 million tons of cement and 10 million tons of cement, unless you open your own factory for production.

Otherwise, their unit price difference will not exceed 10%.

“I checked the information and found that during the construction process in the United States, one of the biggest factors affecting the construction cost is the workers’ compensation.”

“Worker compensation?” Bloomberg frowned. “Are you going to cut this one?”

In the United States, construction workers work on the construction site for 8 hours a day, 4 days a week. After deducting taxes and insurance, they can net $1,066.

This is the average.

In the least developed states like Arkansas, the numbers will be lower.

But in New York… On the basis of the average, this number increases by at least 50%.

In other words, construction workers in New York can earn about $1,500 a week on average.

14 days off a month, but the monthly salary is as high as 6,000 US dollars.

Annual salary over $70,000.

This is the price in New York City, and New York is the largest city in the United States. Everything is expensive, and the salary is one level higher than other places in the United States.

Other regions are not so exaggerated.

For example, the median annual salary of construction workers in Illinois is $57,310.

It was followed by Hawaii at $56,240, Massachusetts at $53,230, New Jersey at $52,220 and Alaska at $50,450.

The lowest earners were in Arkansas at $27,530, followed by Alabama at $29,360 and Mississippi at $29,450.

These are medians.

The median annual salary of construction workers in the United States is about $39,000.

Compared with the per capita annual income (median) of US$33,500 in 2001, it is 18% higher.

Of course, construction workers are among the most injured jobs in any country

Most construction workers usually work outdoors in various weather conditions. What they are engaged in is high-intensity physical work, and it is one of the types of work with the highest incidence of work-related injuries and diseases among all occupations.

It’s so hard, it’s normal to get a little more.

The construction workers in New York did get quite a lot.

Especially in Manhattan, that’s more.

“You don’t want to take a pay cut for this, do you?”

Bloomberg frowned: “Those guys with wrenches, if they get them walking on the street, things will be very troublesome.”

Salary increases and benefits are very common in the United States, because every few years, guilds in various industries will come out to make troubles and demand increased remuneration.

The capitalists will respond more or less positively to appease them.

It can be used in some special periods, such as economic crisis or something.

It is of course impossible for capitalists to raise their wages.

What should I do then? Pay cut?

no.

In the United States, salary increases are often necessary, and salary cuts are not allowed.

Only salary increase without salary reduction, looks very good.

But capitalists are not stupid.

Since wages cannot be lowered, capitalists will directly choose to lay off workers…or go bankrupt.

If you are directly fired or the company is gone, then it is not a salary cut.

You can choose to roam the streets if you lower your wages. If you lose your job or company, then even wandering will have no name.

Construction workers, no matter where they are, have always been a group with strong mobility.

Capitalists are not afraid of them, but Bloomberg is not just a capitalist.

“How come? I also know the rules of the game. My idea is not to lower wages.” Facing Bloomberg’s doubts, Abel said with a smile.

“As far as I know, there are construction workers in many places. They may not even be paid $500 a month.”

Abel said: “My idea is to replace 80% of the tens of thousands of workers that need to be used with cheap foreign workers. Then the remaining 20% ​​of the compensation of American workers will be paid at the same rate as before. An increase of 20% on the basis of

“My actuary told me that this can save 70-80% in terms of labor costs.”

“My legal counsel told me that there is absolutely nothing in the federal, New York State, New York City regulations that prevents us from doing this.”

Bloomberg is not a fool, he can have the current achievements.

He was born in the middle class, 50% depends on himself, 30% depends on luck, and the remaining 20% ​​depends on the blood of the oilman.

Bloomberg immediately guessed the ingenuity of Abel’s method.

“You mean… use the 20% of high-paid American workers to deal with the dissatisfaction that may arise from other construction workers in the United States?”

“yes.”

“Bring some of them together and let this part hit the other parts inside them.” Abel smiled and said:

“This is a method recommended by the workers’ mentors.”

Bloomberg pondered for a while, then nodded slightly:

“It is feasible to a certain extent. However, there are many problems to be solved in various aspects.”

“It can save about billions of dollars.” Abel said leisurely.

“I don’t think it’s a big problem.” Bloomberg said immediately.

“Ha ha-”

Abel laughed and patted Bloomberg on the shoulder.

“It’s still a few months away. This is really important and needs to be considered in the long term. And, maybe we can save money and still maintain quality at the same time.”

“Ok?”

Abel smiled slightly and said, “I know a country that has always been obsessed with the dollar. They attach great importance to what Americans think of them. As long as we take advantage of this, maybe we can make them make a lot of less money. Willing to work for us.”

“Is there such a country?” Bloomberg was surprised.

“I’m just trying it. It won’t work and it doesn’t have to be.” Abel smiled.

Bloomberg nodded and was about to speak.

At this time, two girls appeared together on the periphery of the sofa where they were sitting, and were blocked by their security staff.

“Hi! Abel! You’re back in New York, why don’t you contact me!”

The bright blonde girl greeted Abel with a bright smile across the bodyguards.

Bloomberg retracted what he had just said.

Mr. Mayor smiled and looked at Abel with interest.

Look at the two girls again, gossiping like they are watching a play.

“Forehead…”

Abel opened his mouth silently, not knowing what to say.

Looking at the helpless Abel.

Lydia quickly teased her cousin, wanting her to let her go.

This is too embarrassing, too unladylike.

“Gentlemen, don’t you invite us in? After standing all night, my feet are a little sore.” Amanda continued to smile and said.

I have to say, Amanda in a full dress, with blond hair and blue eyes, smiling.

Like the past in Europe, in the Middle Ages, those Germanic aristocratic girls were as noble, elegant, beautiful and beautiful.

Compared to Ikana, Amanda is actually more blond.

Before Abel even spoke, Bloomberg beside him said with a smile:

“Ah, this is my lack of hospitality. House, please come in and have a rest, Miss Hurst.”

Abel couldn’t help but look at Bloomberg, who winked at him.

Bloomberg’s bodyguards immediately dispersed, trying to let Amanda and Lydia into the sofa booth.

Edward still blocked it, but looked back at his boss.

It’s all like this, Abel can only nod his head.

Amanda and Lydia were brought in.

“Oh, William. Your two nieces, that’s not very ladylike.”

Not far away, Ted Lerner, who was talking with many people just now, saw this scene.

He couldn’t help frowning, and said to William Hearst next to him.

Coincidentally, the four generations of the Hearst family in power, including the founder, are all named William, with only a different middle name.

From this naming method, we know that the Hearst family is also pure Angsans.

Looking at Ted Lerner’s displeased look.

William Hearst thought to himself that you in the past would not dare to talk to me like this.

It’s just that the daughter went to be someone else’s mistress, so there’s nothing to be arrogant about.

Thinking like this in his heart, William Hearst smiled and said:

“The children have grown up, who knows what they think? We elders are naturally hard to control this. Ikana is so good, I think you, Ted, should also have this kind of trouble.”

Ted Lerner was speechless.

William Hearst didn’t say a word of bad words, but he was telling Ted Lerner, [Your daughter is just his mistress].

Plus Ted Lerner is just pretending to be a tiger, but he dare not really be upset with William Hearst.

Hurst, a century-old giant, is much better than Ted Lerner in New York.

Unless Abel fully supports it, Ted doesn’t really dare to conflict with the Hearst family.

In the past, Ted Lerner would not even dare to speak like this to William Hearst.

He also made a big splash tonight, and he was full of righteousness. .

Ted Lerner dared to say what he just said to William, the head of Hearst. . .

(end of this chapter)