Can’t we come up with a base model that can be expanded when needed and save millions of dollars reinventing the wheel, every time a new school is built?

Other than the architects are bleeding our school dry, reinventing the wheel!

Mind you, I am not an architect…nor do I know many living in my neck of the woods. I cannot comment on how many out of work architects there are out there. I can however comment on how many out of work trades people there are out there.

Investing in the public infrastructure is a win-win for all parties involved. It is a win for architectural firms…but only a tiny spec compared to a win for the people that are most struggling in this economy…America’s trades people. Keep in mind your local restaurants, rental businesses, hotels, and hardware stores benefit from a $30 million construction project in your backyard. Let us not forget the impact a gymnasium, football/track field and performing arts center has on the community…and of course, the kids.

$0.34 per thousand on a $300,000 home…$102 per year or $8.50 per month. Come on now!!!

Bottom-line, the people that truly create the commerce are Oregon tax payers. Can you afford $8.50 per month???

On a side note, hey designvector…GO DUCKS!!!

Our profession has been hit hard during this recession, as have many others, this is only one of several areas that could help keep our professionals working while providing the needed upgrades to an aging infrastructure. I am also truly sorry, that it is not just the greedy architects who would be working on said projects.
Architects, engineers, contractors and consultants work very hard (in most cases) to deliver the best quality result possible for public buildings, while finding economical solutions to ever higher material costs. Becoming an architect is a tedious and lengthy process, you cannot pick us off a job tree at a community college. It is a skilled profession and I hope there are a few Architects/Engineers left around to facilitate your personal safety when you finally decide your community needs a new commercial or public project completed.

On Property tax increases:
I truly respect the “homeowners” who complain about tax increases while buying new boats, motorcycles and trips to foreign countries on their extended equity credit line. All the while, our public buildings disintegrate around us. Oregon taxpayers have voted down sales tax time and time again, while most states have both types of tax. Many people spend more on cell phone contracts and cable tv in a year than they do in property taxes. Have you ever added up the actual cost of an full service iphone contract for 2 years, its @ 2500, add cable or dish @150×24= 3600, That is $6100.00 for two years – That money does not contribute much to our state except for a few access fees, nor does it go to educate your children in any other way than the discovery or history channels. It mainly serves the “profit” margin of certain companies CEO’s.
(Not to mention the impact of said devices on our Green Oregon environment when they buy a new one every other year.)

On a side note:
My parents sold their home in 1996 and essentially got back every dime of property tax they paid since 1975 due to the property value increase from $28,000 to $120,000.
I guess that none of their property value increase had to do with the schools, libraries, roads, etc. that added to the quality of life in the entire community where I grew up.

“Scott Rose, a principal with DLR Group, said this year’s school bonds are especially important to architects who are in need of the work.” Interesting concept – taxpayers need to keep architects at work.

“We still need to think about our kids,” said Kim Fitzpatrick, a project manager with DOWA Architects. “We can’t stop building better facilities because the economy is bad.” One might argue that thinking about public school children is not the real concern. Property tax payers should not have to bail out the architects. When the economy is bad – as it is – we can stop the building.

“It’s important to have these school districts invest in 21st century learning environments so we don’t see a slowdown in the development of facilities.” Sorry – it isn’t the facilities’ that creates the educational environment. Strange concept – building new buildings and repairing old ones will produce educated children ready for employment and college.

But, those offering and supporting these tax measures see property taxpayers as the pot of gold. Property taxpayers have become a too easy target for development money: urban renewal, transit and school construction and development.

Those who own homes feel it directly, but it is often an indirect burden. Commercial property owners typically pass those increased cost on to their tenants that then pass it on to their customers.

Of course, school buildings need to keep pace, but it seems better to wait until after the state has performed its assessment of its school buildings before going to public for more money.

Now is not the time to increase taxes that go to benefit architects and the like who will profit from the building. Another story if the taxes could be shown to directly benefit the school children.