In this issue:
· Domino Sugar Factory: Back to Scratch
· Buildings Department Cracks Down on Elevator Violations
· AIANY Policy Update: Congestion Pricing
· IALD Position Statement: Banning the Incandescent Bulb
· Overseas Building Operations to Benefit from Local Architect
· Passing: Margaret J. DeLaCour

Domino Sugar Factory: Back to Scratch
The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) reviewed the design for the redevelopment of the Domino Sugar Factory on the Williamsburg, Brooklyn, waterfront, and sent architects Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners back to the drawing board. The design consists of a 5-story, rectangular glass addition, which the LPC felt was not appropriate for the factory, citing that it was “too tall.” Many of the commissioners felt that it needed to be more industrial and “visionary.”

Buildings Department Cracks Down on Elevator Violations
Beginning 03.05.08, 10 residential buildings with chronically defective elevators were publicly listed on the Department of Building’s website as part of a shame campaign to force building owners to return their elevators to service. The 10 worst offenders will be pursued under the department’s Elevator Enforcement Program, an aggressive enforcement agenda to ensure safe and reliable elevator service. The program also includes legislation with significant daily penalties for elevator violations. New Yorkers are encouraged to call 311 to report non-compliant conditions or 911 to report emergencies at construction sites.

AIANY Policy Update: Congestion Pricing
By Laura Manville, AIANY Policy Coordinator

With the resignation of Governor Spitzer and political change in the air, there is a need to make AIANY’s voice heard in Albany on policies that matter to architects, including congestion pricing. The AIANY Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has worked hard to investigate all of Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC transportation initiatives, and now offers a report that addresses the effects of congestion pricing on planning and design issues in the city. The Chapter has adopted their expert opinion as official policy.

If you feel strongly about the need for a congestion mitigation strategy in NYC, do act, as your voice as a design professional and AIA member can make a difference.

To read the Committee’s report and congestion pricing position statements, click the link or e-mail Laura Manville, AIA NY Policy Coordinator.

To e-mail Christine Quinn, Speaker of the NY City Council, click here.
To e-mail Sheldon Silver, Speaker of the NY State Assembly, click here.
To e-mail new Governor David Paterson, click here.
To e-mail State Senator Malcolm Smith, click here.

Sample text:
As a practicing architect (/urban planner/designer) and member of the American Institute of Architects, New York Chapter, I want to express my strong support for congestion pricing. Our Chapter has stated that “The elegance of the concept of congestion pricing is that it simultaneously discourages inefficient use of the road and bridge network, encourages more efficient modes of transportation, reduces energy use and air pollution from vehicular use, and provides a reliable mechanism to fund improvements to the mass transit system…. this concept is the key to providing a comprehensive transportation strategy, which addresses current limitations as well as growth for the City.”

Please support this sound example of forward thinking transportation planning that will simultaneously sustain our city’s growth and the quality of urban spaces for its residents.

IALD Position Statement: Banning the Incandescent Bulb
Enlightened folks from Australia to California and across Europe want to ban the incandescent lamp. The recently enacted U.S. energy legislation will phase out certain types of incandescent bulbs. While the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) strongly supports the technologies and appropriate regulation to minimize the energy use of lighting systems, the organization believes that “incandescent bans” must be carefully conceived or they won’t work. There are several points connected to the phasing out of incandescent lamps that should be addressed. Click here to read the full position statement.

Overseas Building Operations to Benefit from Local Architect
Barbara Nadel, FAIA, was recently named the AIA Representative to the U.S. Department of State’s Overseas Building Operations Industry Advisory Panel. The Advisory Panel provides the Director of the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations with the latest methods, concepts, best practices and ideas to ensure that safe, secure, and functional facilities are provided for U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide. Nadel is principal of Barbara Nadel Architect in NYC, and is the author of Building Security: Handbook for Architectural Planning and Design, for which she received the 2005 Institute Honors for Collaborative Achievement. She was 2001 AIA National Vice President and served twice as AIA New York Regional Director. She is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Soloso, AIA’s eKnowledge website.

Passing: Margaret J. DeLaCour
Margaret J. DeLaCour, 63, of Brooklyn Heights and Glen Cove, NY, passed away on 02.18.08. In her long career, she served in a number of senior level positions in NYC government, at the Department of Environmental Protection, the NYC Water Board, and the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office. Additionally, she served on a number of nonprofit boards, including The Junior League of Brooklyn, Colony South Brooklyn, Grace Church School, and the Planting Field Arboretum of Oyster Bay. She and her husband, architect Wids DeLaCour, AIA, also supported numerous organizations dedicated to providing educational and outdoor opportunities for NYC children. The family prefers in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225, or to the Planting Field Arboretum, Planting Field Foundation, PO Box 660, Oyster Bay, NY 11771.