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AIA headlines this week include:

• South Hadley SDAT Envisions Revitalized Waterfront

• SGN Members to Give Convention Presentations on Advocating for Value of Design

Last week, the Center for Communities by Design held a Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) project in South Hadley, Massachusetts. The project was centered around the revitalization of the South Hadley Falls, a former industrial waterfront. Over 500 people participated in the public process.

On Wednesday, the SDAT Team presented its findings and recommendations to the community. The team created an urban design and development strategy with the goal of ultimately leveraging existing investments for maximum return. The team’s key recommendation to alter existing plans for a new library on the waterfront by adjusting the site plan to maximize the public realm received the most community interest. Other suggestions included additions to the public access along the waterfront and enhanced connectivity between existing assets in the area. The team also suggested the creation of a formal neighborhood organization to lead implementation efforts for the project.

The presentation was received with overwhelming enthusiasm from residents. As one participant remarked, “this is amazing. I am so inspired by what you’ve done for us. I just can’t believe you could do this in only three days.” Audience members began a volunteer signup sheet at the end of the presentation and engaged city staff in discussions to create a formal organization to represent the Falls. The first follow up meeting to discuss implementation efforts is scheduled to take place this week. To see the team’s full presentation, follow this link.

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As state and local governments look for ways to trim public budgets, proposals to end policies that allow taxpayers to acquire maximum value for the design of public buildings continue to arise. Architects, especially those who do public work, have a responsibility to educate elected officials about the value of using a qualified architect to design public buildings to site specifications. Often, legislators and public officials do not understand that Qualifications Based Selection and site-specific design, as opposed to stock plans, save taxpayers money in the long run. At the 2012 AIA Convention, State Government Network members will give two presentations on how to impart this wisdom to elected officials at the state and local level:

“How to Educate Decision Makers about Stock School Plans – and the Value of an Architect”
By Jim Determan, FAIA and Scott Powell, AIA
Thursday, May 17, 2012 | 7:00 – 8:00 AM, Convention Center Room 143A

“How to Educate Decision Makers about QBS – and the Value of an Architect”
By Catherine Fritz, AIA; Zachary Hart, Manager of State and Local Relations; John Schneidawind, Director of Public Affairs and Media Relations
Friday, May 18, 2012 | 7:00 – 8:00 AM, Convention Center Room 146A

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