Oculus Novz4 Election Lssue
NI\CAIA Oculus NovZ4 Election lssue
Architects Politically Shunned?
We thought this was Election Time. Mr. Cummins also felt that the State Why and how has the architectural So, Michael Maas, the Chapter should have some land-use policy profession's position deteriorated Commissioner on Public Affairs, role in order to assure that the de- to the point that it does not merit a and Albert Efron of the Staten velopment of land and rehabilita- better response from politicians? ls lsland Chapter, spent quite a bit of tion of existing communities is it that we are not a powerf ul enough time formulating a survey done according to sound planning voting block or lobbying block? questionnaire for the gubernatorial principles. (Note, however, that the Certainly as planners,- environmen- candidates in the coming election. Voting Analysis Chart reprinted in talists, and "free thinkers", we are The questionnaire dealt with issues this Oculus shows Congressman entitled to recognition. vital to the architectural Carey was absent when this professional community, including lnstitute-favored issue was brought Other notes: Michael Maas and Kurt landmark preservation, land use up for a vote in the House.) Karmin are planning a legislative policy, and statute of limitations for brochure for the NYSAA/AIA Politi- ^sign professions (architects and As for the present Governor, Ma!- cal Affairs Committee. Professional v, rgineers). colm Wilson, Mr. Maas wrote him help has been retained in produc- some time ago to explain that tota! ing this document, which will be Candidates were also invited to project value presently on the available in January. The brochure attend interviews. To date, the only boards is down 50% compared with will serve as a public relations tool candidate response has been three years ago. One suggestion for the Association in reaching from the Hugh Carey camp in the made to the Governor was to elected and appointed State offi- person of his Campaign Manager, release now projects which have cials. Gerald Cummins. One can only been deferred because of a lack of surmise from this that the other construction funds for design, so If you have any ideas on activities candidate does not consider the that they will be available for involving architects and public af- arch itectural profession either bidding as soon as funding does fairs or legislation that we should strong - or worthy - enough to re- become available. Experience has oppose or support, call Michael ceive a courteous response. shown that about 12 to 18 months Maas at 481-3804. could be saved and future hardship DVR Mr. Cummins felt that, although no be lessened as well. landmark preservation or state his- As Oculus goes to press, we have torical preservation agency has Mr. T. N. Hurd, secretary to Gover- received word that T.N. Hurd, been structured, Mr. Carey would nor Wilson, answered Mr. Maas' let- Secretary to Governor Malcom be most receptive to a proposal ter. "State law does not permit con- Wilson, has accepted to meet with from the design professions for the tracting for architectural, engi neer- the Chapter's and State's Political formulation of such an agency. Mr. ing or other services u nless approp- Affairs Committee's representa- Carey also agrees with the archi- riations have been provided for that tives. tects' position regarding a time purpose," he wrote. "ln recent limit on alleged design deficiencies budgetary actions, the legislAture Unfortunately, the results of this aqd would support legislation creat- has tended to resist efforts pro- to meeting will be available too late for a statute of limitations related to vide generalized appropriations for our readers. Should Gov. Wilson ttre completion of projects. preparation of plans." Mr. Hurd win the election,'we will publish a closed, however, by saying that the report on the meeting in the State will do everything within its December Oculus. authority to help the situation. Executive Gommittee Actions Welcome to New Members Health Facilities Directory Now Available
October 2, 1974 The NYC/AIA welcomes the The NYC/AIA Hospitals and Health following members: Facilities Committee in conjunction o Resolved that it be recom- with the Health and Hospitals mended to the lnstitute that David Corporate Planning Council of Southern New Pellish be considered for Director York, lnc. has published the 1974 of the National lnstitute of Building Leonard Colchamiro edition of the Directory of Health Sciences (NIBS). Richard Zegler (Readmission) Facilities. The Directory lists close Rustum H. Bastuni to 100 recent health projects o Noted that the Chapter had Thomas Lee generally within a one-hour flying urged Planning Commission George C. Weiner radius of New York. Chairman Zuccotti to hold an open Vincent Grasso hearing on the request of the Mil- David L. Hirsch Significant features of each project steins for increased FAR at LincAln Laurence S. Walsh are noted and cross-indexed, Square. Susanne Strohbach making the Directory useful to Gabor J. Mertl anyone looking for examples of o Discussed with Ralph Stein- current practice in health facility glass, chairman of Employerl Prof essiona I Associate design. Employee Relations Committee, a proposed questionaire on John J. Koster (Readmission) The Architecture for Health personnel practices. Subcommittee is now urging other Associate Chapters to follow the NYC/AIA o Heard George Lewis report on example by preparing their own his testimony at the Sept. 23 Plan- Sheikh P. Waheed health facility listings . ning Commission hearing in sup- Romuald Romanowski The Directory was largely the work port of the Special Clinton District Daniel F. Brown (AlA) of Saul Ellenbogen, liaison between and the Plaza Bonus Amendment. NYC/AIA and HHPCSNY. lt is available from the NYC/AIA for o Committee Chairmen then $2.00 per copy. joined the Executive Committee MP and there was a general discussion Candidates for Membership of Chapter affairs. New York Chapter The American lnstitute ol Architects lnformation received by the Secre- 20 West 40th Street New York, New York 10018 tary of NYC/AIA regarding the 21 2/565-1 866 Technology Committee qualifications of candidates for George S. Lewis, Executive Director membership will be considered Plans Exhibit Executive Committee conf idential: Herbert B. Oppenheimer, President Robert F. Gatje, 1st Vice President The Chapter is contemplating an Corporate Alexander Kouzmanoff , Vice President exhibit devoted to building systems James B. Baker, Vice President Manfred Riedel, Secretary that have been originated and David L. Maron Richard Roth, Jr., Treasurer developed by architects or Joseph N. Wills, Jr. A. Corwin Frost, Director engineers. Louis P. Giacalone, Director Ari Bahat Anna M. Halpin, Director J. Arvid Klein, Director Michael Maas, Director The exhibit will be limited to total Associate Nathan Jerry Maltz, Director building concepts using innovative approaches and/or the latest Richard A. Carlson (AlA) Oculus Committee (AlA) David Paul Helpern, Editor and Chairman technology. Jacob Munn Ralph P. Albanese Mary Jane Clark l. M. Aringer Mihai l. Cotban Lenora Fay Garfinkel All professionals interested in Bonnell lrvine participating in the exhibit should Norman F. Jacklin Carl Meinhardt Y write to the TechnologY Committee Martin Pitt at the Chapter bY JanuarY 1,1975, Daniel V. Rodriguez giving descriptions of their Ralph Steinglass brief Linda Yang systems. High City Officials, Second Avenue Subway Building lndustry Leaders Land Use District Legislation Meet With Federal Officials Urged at CPC Hearing
l, Council President Paut A broad coalition of Community Raquel Ramati, CPC's Prolect O'Dwyer and Deputy Mayor James Planning Board leaders, private Director for the Second Avenue Cavanaugh led a delegation of city developers, politicians, and design Subway Design Group, in the officials and construction leaders to professionals strongly urged course of several meetings with the Washington on October 9th to meet passage of the proposed Special NYC/AIA Urban Design Committee with the New York City Congres- Transit Land Use District stressed the unique aspects of the sional Delegation, Arthur F. Burns, legislation, developed primarily for legislation, especially compared Chairman of the Federal Reserve the 2nd Avenue Subway, at a City with other special land use districts. Bank, and Alan Greenspan, the Planning Commission public For example, the recently President's Economic Advisor. hearing on October 17th. discovered pitfalls of "incentive zoning" are avoided by using Those that accompanied O'Dwyer Supporting statements were zoning laws to carve public and Cavanaugh were: Chapter Pres- submitted by Carvel Moore of easements for subway stations out ident Herbert Oppenheimer; Roger Planning Board No. 6, Gene of privately owned property without Starr, Administrator of HDA; John Dempsey of Planning Board No. 11, giving Floor Area Ratio bonuses to Carroll, Municipal Services Ad- Francis Angelino of Planning Board developers. ministrator; Abraham Goodman, No. 8, private developers Howard Deputy Economic Development Zipser and Edwin Glickman, Throughout the Special District, Ad mi nistrator; Tony Vaccarrello, Councilman Carter Burden, Boris potential easements are clearlY Mayoral Assistant; Thomas J. Cuite, Pushkarev of the Regional Plan mapped. Developers are required -. Majority Leader of the City Gouncil; Association, and Congressman Ed to provide easements and John Mahoney, lnternational Koch who stated that approval is in return are permitted a 10"/o Brotherhood of Teamsters; Edward needed to "bring New York City into increase in building covdrage on Cleary, Building and Construction the 20th century of subway their site, along with a reduction of T.lades Council; Lewis Rudin, real- planning design". (See on-site parking requirements. The and builder; Richard Lewisohn, Congressman Koch's voting record public benefits by getting stations former City Finance Administrator in the "Congressional Punch List" that are part of plazas or arcades, and consultant to the Council Pres- that appears in this Oculus.) with such amenities as trees, ident; Mark Markosie, Mayor's De- natural light, and shops, not to puty Press Secretary; and Linda The NYC/AIA "enthusiastically mention elbow room and walking Fisher, Councit President's' Press supports the legislation", according space. Secretary. to Peter Samton who'spoke for the Chapter. He also noted that the Architects interested in obtaining a The delegation met to discuss the legislation offers "new copy of "Humanizing Subway crisis in the building industry and to opportunities for urban interface." Entrances" or in attending the urge the Government to assist the Board of Estimate Public Hearing in industry and the City. Greenspan lf blessed by the CPC, the November should contact the City and Burns agreed to study the pos- legislation will be heard at a public Planning Commission (566-0522). sibility of extending the emergency hearing before the Board of BS mortgage program to include Estimate in early November. lts multi-family housing and of releas- success at this meeting would be ing the presently impoqnded funds critical, since interim legislation for construction of waste-treatment expires at the end of this year. plants. An excellent report has just been released by the Municipal Arts Society and the City Planning Commission called "Humanizing Subway Entrances". AIA Publishes Voting Analysis Of the 93rd Congress
ln an effort to help architects 5. Section 701 planning funds: A 8. Metric conversion: A "yes" vote \-- evaluate the performance of their "yes" vote supported the lnstitute's supported the lnstitute's position congressional representatives, the position to increase funds in the favoring planned conversion to the National AIA prepared a HUD Appropriations bill for Section metric system. "Congressional Punch List" that 701 community comprehensive has received surprisingly little planning grants from $25 million to 9. Land use planning: A "yes" vote distribution. $1 00 million. supported the lnstitute's position favoring State land use planning. lncluded in the analysis is a sample 6. National lnstitute of Building of key votes for House and Senate Sciences: A "yes" vote supported members on issues of importance the lnstitute's position favoring 10. West Front restoration and to the architectural profession. establishment of NIBS. Capitol Grounds master plan: A Votes were selected for this chart "yes" vote supported the lnstitute's based on National AIA policy 7. Pension reform: A "no" vote position on appropriating $20.9 positions. You are encouraged to supported the lnstitute's position million for the concurrent study the voting records of your against reducing from $7500 to restoration of the West Front of the Congressmen before Election Day, $6000 the maximum amount a U.S. Capitol Building and the November Sth. self-employed person could preparation of a master plan for the contribute to his own retirement Capitol Grounds The number at the top of the fund each year. (continued next Page) column in the chart shown refers to the following 10 issues before the House of Representatives. This list N.Y. Cong. is interesting in and of itself, to District Representative 123456789 10 remind us what the lnstitute 1. Otis G. Pike (D) +++++++ + considers is critical. 2. Jarnes R. Grover, Jr. (R) + 3. Angelo D. Boncallo (R) + 4. Norinan F. Lent (B) + 1. Architect-engineer selectlon: A 5. John W. Wydler (H) "no" vote supported the lnstitute's 6. Lester L. Wolff (D) position government favoring 7. Josph P. Addabbo ( D) sglection of architects and 8. Benjamin Rosenthal ( D) engineers on the basis of o James J. Delaney (D) competence and qualifications at a 10. Mario Biaggi (D) fair and reasonable negotiated fee. r 11. Frank J. Brasco.(D) 12, Shirley Chisholm (D) 2. Open Congressional meetings:, r 13. Bertram L. Podell (D) A "yes" vote supported the .14. John J. Rooney (D) AAAAAAAAAA lnstitute's position favoring open r 15. Hugh L. Carey ( D) + + A+ + + AAAA committed meetings except where 16. Elizabeth Holtzman (D) national security or personal 17. John M. Murphy (D) privacy is involved, or where the 18. Edward l. Koch ( D) 19. Charles Rangel ( D) committee decided by majority vote 20. Bella S. Abzug (D) to close its doors. 21. Herman Badillo (D) AA+ AA + + 22. Jonathan Bingham (D) 3. West Front of the U.S. Capitol: A 23. Peter Peyser (R) "yes" vote supported the lnstitute's .24. Osden Reid (D) position favoring restoration. 25. Hamilton Fish, Jr. (Rl
4. Highway Trust Fund flexibility: A KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THE VOTES: "yes" vote supported the lnstitute's + Supported AIA position position favoring balanced federal Did not support AIA position assistance to all forms of public A Absent during vote v * Not serving in Congress at that time transportation. P Present but not voting l t Not campaigning for re-election to this seat Voting AnalYsis John Boogaerts: Another Political Architect Runs an Uphil! Campaign
,-ontinued f rom preceding page) A Chapter member is out walking partly because our representatives tenacious As for the Senate, the AtA the streets in Pursuit of the 18th have not been sufficiently pursuing money. "Congressional Punch List" C.D. seat now held by Ed Koch. in available compiled this record for John Boogaerts (say: Bogart) is on He is emphatic that, even in a Republican Jacob Javits, who is up leave from his job as principal period of inflation, Government for re-election; Sen. Javits urban planner at HDA because Roy could still easily fund construction supported the AIA position on Goodman and the Republican Party felt he could win. Elliot Richardson, programs and states that "revenue arch itect-eng i neer selection, must be used to build better Highway Trust Fund flexibility, in an open letter of supPort, sharing neighborhoods by re-use of national land use planning, pension comments that "this race is of structurallY sound reform, housing and community regarded by many politicians as thousands development, and campaign quixotic. . . But John Boogaerts vacant buildings". financing reform. He voted against is an extraordinary candidate, and public the AIA position on open these are extraordinarY times'l Until people see "gut political Cong ressional meetings. transportation as a Curious as to why John or issue", John feels we will be stuck - have. His prime Conservative Senator James L. anyone would run in a district with what we - public Buckley, who is not up for that is 2 to 1 against him in voter example of a short-changed re-election at this time, voting on registration, I tagged along one physical service is the Lexington Subway, lifeline of his 'the same issues, went against the grey October Saturday on a typical Avenue district, which he feels could have AIA position on open Congressional tour of the neighborhoods. been turned into a model of meetings, national land use up-graded public transit if it had planning, and campaign financing Questions most frequently asked, only received the funding that went reform. On John says, are about abortion and the other four issues, he the less Second rqvored Gay Rights, but the main thrust of instead for critical the AIA position. Avenue line. IA his campaign is "to improve the quality of urban life by getting atair Architects criticized not share of our federal tax dollars". are for being politically active and for not political part A "community activist and urban having clout. John in popul ist", the 4O-year-old candidate excuses this because architects are "separate, and either leads or works within such diverse in- and we suffer for organizations as Community depende;1[" - Planning Board No. 8, the PTA of it. He is running an underfinanced P.S. 6, the Carnegie Hill Neighbors, campaign; his chances of winning greatest and the Columbia Architects are only if (as Gallup has Alumni Association (as its projected) voter turnout is low; and president). A major accomplish- the incumbent is an honest, ethical, ment was achieving the 86th "wel!-meaning" politician. Street/Yorkville special zoning Elliot Richardson "lt district (See Oculus' Annual again: is fair to point . Review, Augl74, page 7). out that John's battles are conducted with a relentlessness no one could confuse with charm. This first-hand fighting in the John's percentages of wins versus trenches convinced John that a losses testifies to the worth of that good neighborhood exists only zeal". when there is good housing, good schools and good public Florence and (Congressional Candidate) I found John Boogaerts very John Boogaerts greet voters outside his transportation. ln allthese dreas, he likeable, which the above lines Aird Avenue campaign headquarters. John points out how New York City has might not lead you to expect; :s portable sandwich boards rather than not received adequate funds, partly people respond to his easy manner posters and bumper stickers because of a because of what John identifies as and dedication. Without making a "deep concern for the quality of life in this an anti-urban bias in Congress (all political endorsement, I wish him city . . . the visual aspects as well as the 70o/o physical". The boards attract attention, John the more surprising since at well. says, but "when I go, they go". the population is now urban) and DPH Chapter Budget At Five-Year Low
The operating budget for the ln a related development, the At the Personnel Practices Commit- Chapter in 1 971 -72 was $189,000. Executive Committee is tee meeting in Washington on For this year the budget will be considering proposing a Bylaws October 4th, Execotive Director $165,000. Actually this year's change so that the Chapter Slayton was quoted as saying that budget is the smallest in five years, Treasurer's term of office would -- "the lnstitute wou ld enthusiastically a victim of a dwindling dues base. coincide with the fiscal year. (The endorse the resolution" as now fiscal year runs October 1 through worded. The proposed amendment, The budget is further hurt, on a September 30; new officers usually inserted as ltem No. 8 under the re- relative basis, by inflation and assume their responsibilities in vised heading of "Obligations to the increasing costs. June.) The time of the preparation Client, Employer or Employee", of the yearly statement appears to reads as follows: Dues provide the primary source of be a more logical point at which to the Chapter's operating capital. have any change in office occur. As Sustaining Member-Firm dues, it is, it is necessary to overlap terms "An architect shall recognize the which provide the majority of the to properly familiarize the new professional contribution of his income, are calculated on a Treasurer with the fiscal workings employees, share in the responsibil- number-of-employees basis. Not of the Chapter. ity for their professional develop- only is their employee population CM ment, and provide them with fair dwindling, but also the rate per salaries, working conditions and employee was set at a fixed rate benef its." three years ago. (lnstitute dues, however, are based on a Support Grows For ln a covering letter, the Personnel percentage of a f irm's FICA costs.) Practices Committee states that Rights Amendment To passage of this amendment ib fun- As the budget situation worsens, Ethical Practice Standards damental to implementing the Chapter services will have to be mandate established several years somewhat curtailed. The budget is ago in the lnstitute's White Paper primarily expended on staff salaries Spearheaded by the NYC/AIA on Personnel Practice. and operating expenses including Committee on Employer/Employee committee activities costs. Staff has Relations, a clearer, more concise Another important goal set by the already been reduced bY one amendment to the Standards of Committee on Employer/Employee person last year and, recentlY, bY Ethical Practice is gaining support Relations this year is the comple- the same. The current treasurer, both locally and nationally. tion of a revised personnel prac- Richard Roth, Jr., has initiated a tices manual. The Committee will budget review process on a Picking up where it left off at last soon be sending member firms a three-month basis to keep track of year's Nationa! Convention, the survey on employment practices costs. Committee, which is chaired by designed to determine realistic Ralph Steinglass, has both consoli- criteria for evaluating salaries, The irony of the situation is that dated and stream-lined Resolution working conditions and benefits. Chapter activities have greatly No. 9. lt has also received the sup- RS increased in the !ast five years and port of the NYC/AIA Executive now, at a time when the Committee, New York's two Reg- membership may have more time ional Directors, and the lnstitute's for services, the budget is being Personnel Practices Committee. cut. New York Regional Directors Fred- erick Frost, Jr. and Herbert Epstein, both FAIA, are prepared to fUlly endorse the amendment at the De- cember meeting of the lnstitute's Board of Directors, where it will be introduced by Professional Affairs Commissioner Herbert Duncan.