January 27, 2006

NACA Members Respond to Gulf Coast Hurricanes

   REBUILDING AND RECOVERY

Harrah's planning two new Biloxi casinos
USA Today reports that Las Vegas gaming giant Harrah's Entertainment plans to invest more than $1 billion to build two new casinos in Biloxi, Miss., according to the city's mayor. Harrah's said it expects to make a formal announcement soon of the plans. Reports are that the project will include one casino on the north side of Beach Boulevard and one on the south side. more

Plans for rebuilding New Orleans unveiled

According to Architectural Record, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin's "Bring New Orleans Back Commission" has laid out a long-term vision for the rebuilding of the city. The plans include proposals for greater storm and flood water protection and a light rail transit network to connect neighborhoods. more

Green Building Council issues eco-friendly reconstruction plan

The U.S. Green Building Council says a new report on a sustainable plan for rebuilding the Gulf Coast is available for download. The report, developed during the Gulf Coast Reconstruction charrettes held at Greenbuild 2005, includes plans for green communities, affordable housing and ecological restoration. Click here to read the report.

   EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

Gulf Coast hurricane workshops scheduled

Several concrete industry associations have joined together to offer three 1-day seminars titled

Storm-Resistant Concrete Building Systems in the Gulf Coast region:

• April 11 – Hattiesburg, Mississippi (MCIA)

• April 12 – Baton Rouge, Louisiana (CAAL)

• April 13 – Mobile, Alabama (ACIA)

Topics covered during the seminar include hurricane forces and hurricane resistant construction, building code requirements for hurricane zones, concrete masonry construction, precast concrete systems, tilt-up concrete construction, removable forming systems, Insulating concrete forms. Builders, architects, engineers, contractors, building officials, and product suppliers are invited to attend. The general public is also welcome. Attendees will receive 7 Professional Development Hours. The registration fee is only $49 and includes continental breakfast and lunch. Visit www.nrmca.org/seminars to register for a seminar or contact Jennifer Leonard at (240) 485-1156.

   CODES AND RESEARCH

Commission report recommends tougher Mississippi codes
A report issued by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour's Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewals recommends toughening building and zoning codes in the state. The 190-page report, "After Katrina: Building Back Better than Ever," contains more than 200 recommendations. Click here to read the report.

   GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Mississippi group supports stronger building codes

The Mississippi Concrete and Industries Association (MCIA) has been actively involved with the Coalition to Build a Safer and Stronger Mississippi in an effort to pass legislation for adoption of statewide building codes. Click here to read an article about the coalition's efforts in The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, MS). Mississippi residents are encouraged to write their legislators in support of statewide building codes. Click here to submit a letter using NRMCA's grassroots website.

Post Katrina relief continues
The 2006 Department of Defense Appropriations Act (Public Law 109-148) that President Bush signed on December 30, 2005, includes emergency supplemental appropriations to expedite recovery for the Gulf Coast. The measure includes $2.9 billion for the Corps of Engineers (for flood protection), $2.75 billion for the Federal Highway Administration, and $11.5 billion for the targeted Community Development Block Grants to spur local economic development activity. The Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-135) that President Bush signed on December 22, 2005, creates a new “Opportunity Zone” in the areas of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi that were affected by hurricane Katrina. These regions and local entrepreneurs will now be eligible for a host of special tax incentives and other benefits. View White House Fact Sheet on Recovery and Rebuilding in the Gulf Coast. Contact John Sullivan.
 

Concrete group adopts position on statewide building codes

The Alliance for Concrete Codes and Standards (ACCS) recently adopted a position statement regarding statewide minimum building codes. The Alliance urges states to adopt minimum standards based on a national model building code, such as the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC), with the ability for local jurisdictions to adopt technical amendments that provide for more stringent requirements. Click here to download the position statement. For additional details contact Steve Szoke or Lionel Lemay.