February 11, 2002—In addition to economic development, US governors have put a number of FM-related issues at the top of their agendas, as evidenced by recent State of the State addresses.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) notes four prevalent issues in the addresses that directly affect the architectural and construction communities: School construction, homeland security, smart growth, and historic building revitalization.
School construction was addressed as a top issue priority by several states, including Arizona, Iowa, Maryland, and Hawaii. More than half of the governors specifically addressed the need to rebuild, repair, and improve their states’ school infrastructure. Many governors promised a large increase in funding for school construction, which will be coupled with efforts to spur the economy through state infrastructure spending.
New homeland security sub-agencies or councils were proposed in Arizona, Colorado, and California. The coordination of local, state, and national preparedness efforts was a common theme.
Smart growth was an issue raised in Arizona, Delaware, West Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, and Colorado. West Virginia also addressed historic building preservation, including the renovation and rehabilitation of more than one hundred historic buildings in the heart of Wheeling.
According to AIA, “The creation of several homeland security offices and boards will provide architects with a unique opportunity to design livable communities that improve residents’ safety by encouraging public interaction, integrating diverse uses, strengthening the public realm, and planning for emergencies. In addition, the amount of attention given to school construction, economic development, and smart growth issues will allow our members to contribute at many different levels.”
A complete list of the 2002 State of the State addresses can be found on the National Governors Association Web site.
Based on a report from AIA’s ANGLE.
