updated October 2005

Legislator Candidates Survey:


To see the results of the survey click here.

The questions posed to the candidates for office were as follows. See the above for a chart showing how they responded. Note that a significant percentage of respondents chose not to answer the survey. Note also that is it clear that several of these issues are contentious with a few of the candidates.

Brownfields Redevelopment

The New Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA New Jersey) strongly supports the intelligent redevelopment of environmentally contaminated commercial and industrial "Brownfields" sites. "Brownfields" converted into productive, tax paying properties, while encouraging better land use in our urbanized State is of vital interest to our organization and to the State's taxpayers as a whole. The reintroduction of Brownfields sites into the fabric of an economically thriving community is important to all sectors or New Jersey's economy.

Do you support AIA New Jersey's call for the removal of regulatory barriers that impede the redevelopment of these properties and the preserving of New Jersey's rapidly disappearing open space that redevelopment of Brownfields site will encourage?

Clean Water

AIA New Jersey reasons it appropriate and necessary to work to strike a balance between the need to build places for people to live, work and play and the natural environments that provide vital support to those man-make environments.

How would you support the needs of the construction community while meeting the ever increasing demands of a growing population?

Government Procurement Qualification Based Selection

AIA New Jersey believes that architects should be selected for state and local government work on the basis of professional qualifications and competence; and conversely, that competitive bidding procedures do not fit well with the subjective attributes of professional services and therefore are not in the best interest of the public. Service oriented businesses make up an ever increasing proportion of the State's economy and are likely to continue to out-pace the manufacturing sector in New Jersey.

Do you agree with AIA New Jersey that Qualifications Based Selection is the most appropriate method that can be used by all levels of government, when hiring Architects for public works projects?

Government Procurement Stock / Prototype Plans

AIA New Jersey believes that building design for public projects is best met through design solutions tailored specifically to individual projects. Standardized plans must be reviewed and adapted to meet local and specific site conditions; use of such plans does not eliminate the need for Architectural design services. Periodically, public owners have explored the use of stock plans as a way to reduce costs and hasten building delivery. Recent experience at the federal level has shown that the construction cost of stock plan designs can be significantly higher, compromise on quality, and result in buildings that are not responsive to the requirements of the site or to the needs of the consumer, and may lead to confusion over professional liability and design responsibility.

Would you join AIA New Jersey in opposing any measures to institutionalize the re-use of "stock plans" on publicly funded buildings?

Government Procurement In-sourcing vs. Out-sourcing

It is AIA New Jersey's position that Government's in-house architects are best suited to regulating building activity, monitoring compliance with building codes and other regulations, and internal project development activities such as program definition. AIA New Jersey believes that the most effective method of achieving a cost effective building project design is to have building program staff that are well trained and educated in the area of contract governance, rather than in providing in-house design services. Design services provided by Government's in-house architects would conflict with practice regulations meant to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the public.

Do you agree with AIA New Jersey that the best interests of both the public and private sectors are served by "out sourcing" design services to private architectural firms?

LEED

Executive Order 24, issued in July, 2002, mandated the incorporation of LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) into all new school construction, recognizing this as a valid guide and design tool useful in creating buildings that are healthy, cost effective and productive places to work and live.

AIA New Jersey Architects believe that conserving our limited natural resources, while providing healthy, cost effective buildings that are productive places to live and work, is critical not only to the success of the building industry, but also to creating sustainable communities throughout the State.

Would you support measures that promote the incorporation of green building guidelines, such as LEED, into all publicly funded buildings?

Livable Communities

AIA New Jersey supports the concept of Livable Communities; where people can live, work, and shop in neighborhoods that successfully mix retail and residential uses; where transportation systems are flexible and accessible to all; and where everyday physical activities like walking or bicycling are encouraged. Livability includes offering a variety of accessible and affordable housing, preserving historic structures that reflect the region's heritage, and creating civic buildings that serve as centers of community.

Would you support legislation that would include these concepts in the State's Master Plan, mandate their inclusion into local, county and regional master plans and furthermore, and enforce guidelines for the same?

Municipal Land Use Law

AIA New Jersey Architects believe that the Municipal Land Use Law should be amended to include Architects as qualified to implement the applicable provisions of the law. The Municipal Land Use Law is primarily a quality of life guide for the built environment and Architects are uniquely educated, trained and qualified to provide insight into land use from an architectural perspective. Architects add a depth of knowledge that enhances the livability of New Jersey towns.

Would you support legislation that would allow Architects to act as full participants in the land use process?

Smart Growth

AIA New Jersey believes that the design of the built environment affects quality of life and recognizes recent studies finding that people living in sprawling developments are likely to walk less and weigh more than people who live in less sprawling communities. The AIA New Jersey believes Architects and local elected officials can encourage physical activity by promoting and investing in mixed-use development, smart land use, multi-modal transportation, trails and parks, and by revitalizing existing infrastructure.

Do you support AIA New Jersey's call for state legislators to craft policy that offers incentives for development and planning that encourages physical activity and a healthy lifestyle?

School Construction

School design and construction in New Jersey is currently being driven by judicial mandate and limited by budgetary concerns. AIA New Jersey Architects have been called upon to create environments that support student and adult learning opportunities, community recreation and civic interaction.

Recently, media articles have faulted the process of school development by the SCC and its consultants. AIA New Jersey Architects practice principles of fairness with responsibility, and are educated and trained to advocate for the client. AIA New Jersey strongly believes that Architects hired by the SCC have responded appropriately to the requests of their clients.

Would you agree with AIA New Jersey's position that Architects are invaluable resources in the design and contract administration of publicly funded schools and that the increased scope of services expected of Architects involved in these projects justifies adequate fees for services provided?