Summary: Under the banner of a new “Rebuild and Renew America” program, the AIA has offered to assist President-elect Barack Obama in advancing his goals of passing ecomic stimulus legislation, promoting green buildings, and focusing on the needs of urban areas. As a key player in the last “Greening of the White House” initiative in the 1990s, the AIA has also recommended making 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue an international model of energy efficiency.

“Without question, addressing our nation’s economic challenges will be the first order of business for the new Congress and the incoming administration,” notes Andrew Goldberg, Assoc. AIA, the AIA’s senior director of Federal Relations. “Since President-Elect Obama has called on Congress to pass economic stimulus legislation ready for his signature immediately upon assuming office, it is critical that the AIA makes the case that any stimulus plan must include policies that invigorate the design and construction industry.”

“During his campaign, Barack Obama voiced plans to invest in infrastructure, advance energy efficiency and sustainable buildings, and develop a 21st century transportation system,” said AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Christine McEntee. “These are all longstanding AIA goals, and we look forward to working with the new administration as they tackle these important challenges.”

Specific proposals
The AIA has recommended to the transition team that:

• A high-level advisor on green buildings serve as part of the White House team to coordinate executive branch activities and promote these issues to the public
• The AIA assist in the development of a White House Office of Urban Policy, which Obama proposed during his campaign for the presidency
• The AIA work with the administration to develop plans to make the White House an international model of energy efficiency.

Rebuild and Renew America
Through the new program called “Rebuild and Renew America” program, the national AIA component also is currently orchestrating multidisciplinary efforts to open channels for AIA members to express their ideas and views to Congress and President-elect Obama—as well as to educate public officials and the popular press about the vital role that architects play in creating a sustainable future for this country. Specifically, these efforts include:

Storming the Hill: Members of the AIA Board of Directors traveled en masse to Capitol Hill on December 3, talking to legislators and bringing a unique “leave behind” written proposal urging Congress to pass a stimulus to create 21st century communities containing policies to fund the modernization and rehabilitation of schools, increase incentives for green commercial and residential construction, preserve historic buildings by financing projects already in the pipeline, support funding for ready-to-go transit and mixed use development projects, and expand tax relief for small businesses. The same message will be published December 8 in Roll Call and The Hill, the two newspapers serving Capitol Hill as an advertisement from the AIA urging “shovel-ready” projects that will put people back to work and create greener communities

Opening Web communications: Also on Monday, December 8, look for the AIA’s new Rebuild and Renew America page on the AIA’s Web site. There, AIA members will find the “how-tos” that will help them take action as advocates, as well as valuable background information on the need for green stimulus, the economy, and other ways to get involved. The site also will contain information on the AIA and architects for public officials and a media room for the press.

Helping member send video messages to President-elect Obama: Starting on December 5, the AIA will be collecting video messages from members to President Obama. It’s fun and easy. Click here to see how.

Stay tuned to AIA Angle and AIArchitect for more news as these programs grow and develop.