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Ayers Confirmed; Architects Continue to Speak Out on Capitol Hill; AIA Urges Tax Updates to Encourage Livability; and more

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After Three Years, Architect of the Capitol Confirmed

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Stephen Ayers, AIA, as the 11th Architect of the Capitol, filling a position that has been officially vacant since 2007.

Ayers had served as the Acting Architect since the retirement three years ago of Alan Hantman, FAIA. Hantman’s retirement set in motion a search process that saw Ayers emerge as the top contender because of his record of achievement in the acting role.

Despite the lengthy process, the final step was anticlimactic, as Ayers’ confirmation was approved on a unanimous motion offered by Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) on the Senate floor May 12. The action came after Ayers was nominated by President Obama for the 10-year term in February and an April hearing in the Senate Rules Committee that saw senators of both parties praise Ayers for his steady leadership (see the top story in the April 22 edition of The Angle).

AIA President George H. Miller, FAIA, praised the Senate for confirming Ayers, a licensed architect. “For the Senate to confirm Stephen Ayers so quickly and on such a bipartisan basis is itself an endorsement of the profession as well as Mr. Ayers’ steady hand as he led the Architect of the Capitol’s office for the last three years.”

For additional information, contact Andrew Goldberg, senior director, Federal Relations.

Architect Makes Case for Improving Credit Access to Congress

Baltimore architect Jim Determan, AIA, told the House Financial Services Committee May 18 that the lack of financing for design and construction projects should be Congress’ top priority as it addresses the economic crisis.

“If you ask architects across the country today why conditions are so bad, you will inevitably hear the same two responses: one, firms are unable to secure credit to keep operations going; and two, clients are unable to secure the financing needed to get construction and renovation projects started,” Determan told the Committee at a hearing to review the Obama Administration’s proposal to devote $30 billion for community banks to lend to small businesses.

Determan, an architect at Hord Coplan Macht, told the Committee about how his previous firm had to shut its doors in 2009 due to economic conditions.

“A significant contributing factor causing the demise of our business was the lack of credit available to our clients to finance their projects,” he explained. “Projects stopped dead in the water. We could not move fast enough to shed employees or office space. And near the end, the bank called in our credit line. One hundred twenty good people lost their jobs, some of whom had been with the firm more than 30 years.”

Determan offered support for two bills designed to help improve access to credit: the Capital Access for Main Street Act of 2010 (H.R. 5249), which would help lenders and borrowers of commercial real estate loans as they attempt to work out their loans under terms that are mutually acceptable; and the United States Covered Bond Act of 2010 (H.R. 4884), which would promote the use of covered bonds, a type of bond that is far less risky than other kinds of investments and has been successfully employed in other countries for decades.

To tell your members of Congress to address the credit crunch, click here.

For additional information, contact Andrew Goldberg, senior director, Federal Relations.

AIA Member Testifies Before Congress on Building Security

AIA member and building security expert Barbara Nadel, FAIA, testified today (May 20) before the House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management. The intent of the subcommittee’s hearing, entitled, “Too Much For Too Little: Finding the Cost-Risk Balance for Protecting Federal Employees in Leased Facilities,” was to examine if the Department of Defense’s (DoD) regulations for building security are essential for all building types. Recently, subcommittee members acknowledged concern over the price and necessity of such strict regulations and wanted to investigate the need for flexibility.

Nadel, who wrote Building Security: Handbook for Architectural Planning and Design (McGraw-Hill, 2004), the industry standard for building security, offered her expertise and showcased a number of more cost-efficient design elements aimed to mitigate potential risks.

Nadel noted, “[V]ariations in the nature of the mission, location, and physical configuration of a building and site may create unique risks that do not apply to similar building types. …[A] high-rise office building in suburban Arlington, Virginia, for example, may be subject to a different range of threats and vulnerabilities than a mid-rise office building in a medium sized Midwestern city or suburb.”

More information, as well as a video of the hearing may be found on the subcommittee website.

For additional information, contact Billie Kaumaya, manager, Federal Relations.

AIA Leads Effort to Reform Tax Code for Livable Communities

Earlier this week, the AIA unveiled a major report making recommendations to Congress on reforming the U.S. tax code to promote livable communities. Written in coordination with the National Housing Conference, the Northeast-Midwest Institute, Reconnecting America, and Smart Growth America, Promoting Livable Communities examines provisions in the tax code that impact the built environment and makes recommendations to help align decades-old tax policy with livability principles.

The report was launched at an AIA-cosponsored forum on Capitol Hill organized to discuss the role of the federal government in promoting transit-oriented development in promoting transit-oriented development and other forms of livable communities. Cooper Martin, Manager of Federal Research and Policy Development at the AIA, spoke to an audience of Congressional staff, administration officials, and others on the topic of placemaking and the difficulties faced by architects, designers, and planners to develop worthwhile projects in more densely developed, walkable, and more expensive communities.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) praised the AIA report for offering “simple, common sense steps for turning our complicated tax code into a tool for unleashing green construction.”

Blumenauer also pointed out that “[g]reen buildings aren’t green if it takes an hour to get to them and makes traffic congestion worse. We can improve quality of life and reduce money spent on gas and electricity by using the tax code to offer incentives for buildings that are accessible and reduce sprawl. Nobody understands this better than architects, and I commend them for this relevant and timely study.”

The report proposes four actions that will enable the federal government to recalibrate the tax code and create models for livable communities that can define the next generation of American growth and development:

• adoption of a consistent, and consensus-based definition for livable communities and high-quality development projects;

• amending existing provisions in the Internal Revenue Code to promote livability;

• partnering with states and communities to develop special livability tax districts; and

• implementing consensus-based standards to ensure housing affordability within livable communities.

The report and the briefing come at a critical point in time as Congress continues to deliberate over the nation’s federal surface transportation programs and climate change policy, and on the heels of legislation to promote livable communities drafted by Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO).

For additional information, contact Cooper Martin, manager, Federal Research and Policy Development.

Lawmakers Seek to Eliminate Paperwork Requirement from Health Reform

A little-noticed provision tucked into the health care reform bill President Obama signed into law this spring would place onerous paperwork requirements on businesses, and the AIA has joined with more than 70 organizations to urge Congress to repeal the provision.

Section 9006 of the health care law requires any business that purchases more than $600 of goods or services from another business to submit a 1099 tax from to the Internal Revenue Service. The mandate is to take effect in 2012.

Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA) has introduced legislation, H.R. 5141, the Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act, that would repeal Sec. 9006. The AIA and other organizations wrote Lungren in support of his bill, noting that “The new reporting has nothing to do with health care, but is deemed as a way to raise revenue by closing the tax gap. Yet, little data exists to demonstrate that the newly collected information is a source of the tax gap and it is unclear whether and how the IRS can use the paperwork. Even worse, under this proposal, the burden of finding noncompliant taxpayers is placed on the compliant taxpayers required to file these new forms.”

For additional information, contact Andrew Goldberg, senior director, Federal Relations.

Washington In Brief

Big Changes. Big Choices -- What Does Health Care Reform Mean For AIA Members?

On May 19, the AIA hosted a webinar on what the new health care reform law means for architects and architecture firms. An archived recording of the webinar is available for download by clicking here.

Committee To Consider Federal High Performance Building Training

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is scheduled to debate and approve legislation drafted by the AIA and its building sector allies to improve training for federal personnel in high performance building design and operations. The Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010 (S.3250/HR 5112) was first introduced by High Performance Building Congressional Caucus Co-chair Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO).

DOT Requests Public Comment on Strategic Plan

The Department of Transportation has unveiled their strategic plan, Transportation for a New Generation, for 2010-2015 and is seeking comment on it by June 15. The plan sets to provide guidelines for the Department to “provide the raveling public with safe, convenient, affordable and environmentally sustainable transportation choices for the 21st century.” To view and/or comment on the strategic plan, please visit the DOT website.

Senate Finance Committee Commissions Report on Intellectual Property Rights in China

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee ordered the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to study China’s intellectual property infringement and indigenous innovation policies and measure the effects on the U.S. economy. Following the study, the USITC must make available two public reports – one providing an overview of China’s policies and the other quantifying the impact on the U.S. economy. A public hearing will take place June 15. Public comments also can be made via telephone – and anonymously upon request – by contacting the USITC’s Katherine Linton. Additional information also may be found in the Federal Register notice.

DOE Webcast: EnergySmart Schools Operations and Maintenance Online Training Tool

The U.S. Department of Energy is holding a free webcast to provide an overview of the Guide to Operating and Maintaining EnergySmart Schools. The live cast will help participants better understand new tools and technologies aimed to maximize energy efficiency opportunities, build upon lessons learned, and apply them to specific school districts and will include a discussion on O&M best practices.

The webcast will take place May 25 from 12 to 1:15 p.m. Eastern time.

Panelists include Jason Turner, Energy Coordinator for OnSite Energy Services, Texas Association of School Boards; and Sue Pierce, Director of Facility Planning and Energy, Washington Elementary School District (Arizona)

Upon completing the course and quiz, attendees will qualify for 1.5 HSW continuing education units. For more information, please visit www.energysmartschools.gov.

State Team Heads to New York for Economic Summit

As this edition of The Angle rolls off of the electronic presses, AIA’s State Affairs team is in New York attending the Council of State Governments’ Economic Summit of the States. While there, team members Angie Taylor (director, State Relations) and Mark Wills (manager, State Issues and Programs) are connecting with state legislators, governors, and other officials from across the country and get a pulse of their opinions on issues of importance to AIA members; networking with representatives of like-minded organizations; and gaining insight into how state government officials of all stripes are working on the tough economic questions of the day.

Please check out the June 3 edition of The Angle for a synopsis of the team’s activities in the “Big Apple.”

For more information, contact Mark Wills, manager, State Issues and Programs.

Component Spotlight: Santa Barbara Architects Help Defeat Unsustainable Ballot Measure

The Component Spotlight highlights the important work of the more than 300 components across the country.

AIA architects in Santa Barbara were instrumental in providing information to their community that resulted in the defeat of a 2009 ballot measure, which, if approved by the voters, would have imposed additional height restrictions on buildings in a community that already has operative restrictions in place. AIA Santa Barbara created resources -- including an effective background presentation, advertisements, and YouTube videos – that explained, logically, why the measure was a bad idea. Local AIA members also banded together with a coalition of other community groups opposed to the measure. Ultimately, the impact of Santa Barbara AIA members was clear. The ballot measure was defeated by a large margin.

Michael Holliday, AIA, led the charge in his role as Government Relations Chairman with the Santa Barbara chapter.

“We as architects are so pleased that we have had an impact on the long term sustainability for the community and in promoting sustainable planning ideals for our downtown core,” said Holliday. “It is exciting to see architects step up and take the lead on such an important community issue.”

To highlight your component, contact AIA National’s Government and Community Relations department and describe your component’s recent successes and/or innovative initiatives.

For more information about AIA Santa Barbara, contact Renée Wadsworth, manager, Local Relations, or click here to view the materials AIA Santa Barbara used in these recent advocacy efforts.

Updates to Citizen Architect Web Page

The Citizen Architect web page has been updated recently and now features a section on Local AIA Chapter Best Practices. The best practices include information on local chapters developing Citizen Architect Committees, facilitating town hall policy forums, and furthering local advocacy efforts.

Local chapters are encouraged to submit best practices. If you are interested in submitting best practices, please contact Shannon Clarke or e-mail information directly to the Local Government Network.

The Citizen Architect web page is now available at www.aia.org/citizenarchitect.

Citizen Architect Exchange & Civic Engagement Reception

The Citizen Architect Exchange will be held on Wednesday, June 9. The Exchange is a forum for networking with other advocacy-minded and civically-engaged members to explore the development and employment of design and leadership skills in the public arena.  The agenda will include a keynote speaker, break-out sessions, and a panel discussion focused on how components can develop Citizen Architect programs; we can engage emerging professionals and students further in advocacy efforts; and architects can positively affect the community through civic engagement.

The Exchange is a pre-Convention event taking place at the Convention Center between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., with the reception at the nearby Shore Club between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

For more information on the Citizen Architect Exchange, contact Brooks Rainwater, director, Local Relations. 

The Federal Agency Connection

The federal government spends more than $3 billion each year on design and construction services across the country and around the world, representing a largely untapped market for many architects. During this particularly difficult economic downturn, more and more architects have been turning to public sector clients to find work. Unfortunately, the process of procuring projects can be arduous and confusing. Join us at the Federal Agency Connection (FAC) at the 2010 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in Miami (June 10-12) to learn how you can work with the federal government.

Key federal agency personnel from seven agencies will be on hand to talk to architects one-on-one and to answer any questions concerning rules, procedures and forms. In addition, the FAC will offer a series of courses (all available for CES credit) educating architects about various federal programs.

Agencies hosting a booth include:

• U.S. General Services Administration

• Naval Facilities Engineering Command

• U.S. Air Force

• U.S. Small Business Administration

• U.S. Department of State

• U.S. Postal Service

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

To view the Federal Agency Connection course schedule, click here.

Contact Billie Kaumaya, manager, Federal Relations, for more information.

Disaster Assistance Training

Much attention has recently been given to the valuable role that the architectural profession plays in responding to natural disasters. However, it is not enough to react and respond to these crises; preparedness is essential. At the AIA National Convention in Miami, attendees will have the opportunity to be trained and accredited in building damage assessment in the session AIA Disaster Assistance Program: A Comprehensive Training.

The Safety Assessment Program (SAP) curriculum was developed by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CA OES). It accepts civil, structural, geotechnical, and architectural licenses from any state, along with many ICC building inspector certifications. The program works in compliance with national disaster management protocols, including ICS, SEMS, and NIMS.

To register, visit the Convention website.

For more information about this session, contact Cooper Martin, manager, Federal Research and Policy Development.