Recommendations Call for Funds for the Planning and Design of Energy Efficient Construction Projects

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Institute of
Architects (AIA) semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast projects an 11
percent decline in design and construction activity in 2009. To revitalize
the building sector, which accounts for about one in every ten dollars of the
United States GDP, the AIA developed the Rebuild and Renew Plan, which details
its recommendations for the allocation of funds in President-elect Obama's
economic recovery plan. The AIA is calling on the new administration and
Congress to create policies that ensure these monies are spent on the
planning, design and construction of energy efficient, sustainable buildings
and healthy communities that are advantageous for both the environment and
economy. If implemented correctly, the nearly $100 billion plan would create
1.6 million jobs throughout the design and construction industry.

Recent reports estimate that the economic recovery package may total as much
as $800 billion, with at least $350 billion dedicated to infrastructure
projects. However, the AIA's recommendations call for longer planning and
design periods for projects to help ensure that they are carried out in the
most effective, cost-efficient manner and that funds are not poorly spent due
to the projects being hastily planned and executed. Providing funding for
projects across 24 months will ensure a steady stream of funds for job
creation over the likely life of the recession.

"President-elect Obama's economic recovery package provides us with the
opportunity to leave a lasting imprint on our built environment with projects
that improve the safety of the existing infrastructure and increase energy
efficiency, so long as these projects are undertaken with the utmost attention
to smart design and planning," said Christine McEntee, Executive Vice
President and CEO of the AIA. "The Rebuild and Renew plan has garnered
significant interest from the transition team and key Congressional leaders,
and outlines initiatives to build better, safer and healthier communities
while creating jobs and stimulating economic growth nationwide that can lead
to long-term economic vitality."

The plan is comprised of five key policy areas for immediate attention: 21st
century schools; green commercial, residential and institutional buildings;
historic preservation projects; transit, mixed use development and complete
streets projects; and tax relief for businesses. Highlights from the plan
include:

-- 21st Century Schools - As the costs of energy and construction materials
continue to increase and budgets get tighter, education agencies are
further delaying or canceling major projects to repair and modernize
school buildings. The AIA is calling for the federal government to
invest $25 billion in districts across the country to repair,
modernize and green school buildings. Additionally, it is proposing $700 million
for pilot programs that would provide grants for the development of
model school campuses that support 21st century teaching and learning
in each region of the country. This proposal would create more than
445,000 jobs across the industry.

-- Green Buildings - The current economic crisis presents an opportunity
to build better public, residential and commercial architectural designs.

This requires investing in the types of full-scale retrofits that can
significantly reduce a building's carbon footprint. The AIA is
calling for the federal government to provide $30 billion for energy
efficiency upgrades and modernization for federal, state and local
public buildings; residential, commercial, industrial and healthcare
facilities; and green affordable housing. Appropriating these funds
would result in the creation of 430,000 jobs. In addition, the AIA is
calling for increasing the size of the energy efficient commercial
buildings tax deduction from $1.80 per square foot to $3.00 per square
foot and this recommendation was just endorsed by the Environment
America Research & Policy Center.

-- Transit and Livable Communities - A lack of investment in our
infrastructure system since the New Deal has limited economic growth
and jeopardized the safety of American citizens. As Congress prepares to
create legislation that stimulates the economy the AIA believes that
it is important to invest at least $12 billion for transit facilities and
operations, since they greatly enhance the economic development,
sustainability, safety and livability of communities. Funding for
transit-oriented projects will create compact, walkable communities
that mix housing, retail, office space and other amenities around high
quality train systems and create approximately 375,000 jobs for the
building and construction industry.

-- Historic Preservation Projects - The preservation of historic
buildings already in the development phase will create more work for the
building industry and generate positive economic returns in the communities
surrounding them. The plan calls for the appropriation of at least
$30 million to the under-funded Save America's Treasure program for
bricks-and-mortar preservation projects. The plan also calls for
another $100 million in grants to be provided through the State
Historic Preservation Officers and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers for
non-federal public and nonprofit historic sites.

-- Tax Relief for Businesses - By accelerating the depreciation of
energy-efficient heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or commercial
refrigeration property installed in nonresidential property or
residential rental property, businesses of all sizes would be able to
improve their operations, reduce costs and reduce energy consumption.
The AIA is also calling for elimination of a requirement that
businesses that perform government work have three percent of their payments
withheld.

For more information on the AIA's Rebuild and Renew plan, or to download the full report, please visit http://www.aia.org/rebuildandrenew.

About The American Institute of Architects
For over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have
worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy,
secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. By using sustainable design
practices, materials, and techniques, AIA architects are uniquely poised to
provide the leadership and guidance needed to provide solutions to address
climate change. AIA architects walk the walk on sustainable design. Visit
www.aia.org/walkthewalk.
Contact: Matt Tinder
202-626-7462
mtinder@aia.org

News courtesy of Kenneth Cobleigh, AIA Contract Documents, 5-14-09