July 26-August 1, 2002

IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Construction contractors rarely are featured in major newspapers but the accomplishments of the Ideal Steel Group have been so impressive they've caught the attention of the Detroit News. The firm was profiled in its July 23rd edition, with an article accented by a photograph of Loren Venegas and Sanjeeve Shelar, vice presidents for Ideal. The story discusses how the former, along with brother Frank Venegas, moved their group of companies into southwest Detroit some seven years ago, to contribute to the Motor City's revitalization as well as to bolster employment within its Hispanic community. Now the Ideal Steel Group is active on a wide variety of projects, including Ford Field for the Detroit Lions, the Compuware Headquarters Building, and General Motors renovation of the Renaissance Center. The Ideal Steel Group is a member of the Great Lakes Fabricators & Erectors Association. In 2001, it had revenues of $96 million. Currently it's working on receiving certification from the American Institute of Steel Construction to allow it to build and repair steel and concrete bridges.

IS IT OVER YET?
Ever since the implosion of the dotcoms, certain experts have predicted a steep decline in the stock market, especially in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy. "The bubble's going to burst!" they cried. Indeed, this month the Dow Jones average dipped below 8000 although a substantial July 24th recovery popped it to above the 8100 level again. Have we reached the bottom? As an optimist, I lean toward those who say we have, but what do I - and even the experts - know for sure? My gut feeling is that most of the scandalous accounting behavior that led to "cooked" books and bogus profits for now dead and dying industry giants has been exposed. America's remarkably resilient economic system is working out its kinks. The automotive industry is hanging in there. Industrial production rose during the first six months of this year (although it's still 4.5% below the peak it set in June 2000.) Capacity utilization in June was 76.1%, only slightly below the year ago rate of 76.7%. These and related economic indicators could always be better. But they're not bad. Furthermore, there's nothing in the picture to suggest our nation's economy is on the edge of another Great Depression. On the contrary, current results still support forecasts of a continuation of a mild recovery. Still, caution is probably the most appropriate attitude. "The plunge in the stock market has apparently had little direct effect on the construction industry, few of which are publicly held," Ken Simonson, chief economist of the Associated General Contractors of America, sums it up. "And the concomitant drop in interest rates has made borrowing for construction projects less expensive for firms that are good enough credit risks. But the stock market retreat may have made more public companies unable or unwilling to undertake construction." May their reluctance be temporary.

BURKHAMMER TAKES CHARGE
Our Washington, D.C., sources report that Stewart Burkhammer has been put in charge of the office of Construction Services at the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Part of his work is the maintenance of liaisons "with stakeholder groups," an OSHA press release states, "to encourage their participation in various voluntary programs, partnerships, and in the development of training programs." One such activity falling under Mr. Burkhammer's charge is the membership of the 15 member Advisory Committee on Construction Safety & Health. The terms of seven of its members expired last December and the committee has not met since. Last week the office of U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao was reviewing nominees for the expired terms. I've been told the committee won't be formally meeting until all its chairs are filled. Is that the good news?

ATTACKING TOXIC MOLDS
A three piece legislative package - HB 6177, 6178, and 6179 - is being discussed in the Michigan House of Representatives to compel the Michigan Department of Community Health to establish a task force of experts on toxic molds and their effects on building occupants. While no federal or state standards exist, mold exposure has been associated with severe allergic reactions that can trigger episodes of respiratory distress. In Congress U.S. Rep. John Conyers (D-Detroit) has also introduced a bill - HR 5040 - that would set toxic mold standards, especially concerning the inspection and disclosure requirements for public housing. Earlier this month the House Financial Services Committee conducted a hearing on HR 5040, taking testimony from representatives from the Centers for Disease Control as well as the home building industry. In both Washington, D.C., and Lansing, critics say not enough scientific study has been conducted on the problem to establish reasonable standards. Besides housing, toxic mold limits undoubtedly would be imposed other occupied buildings, such as offices, industrial plants, and retail spaces. But some are already pointing out that a mold count that wouldn't bother the vast majority of people still might prove detrimental to individuals suffering from compromised immune systems. How can we fairly draw an appropriate line?

THE DESIGN ALTERNATIVE
Many fine people have risen above the disabilities life has burdened them with. Building a World Fit for People, written by Daniel Hunter, Mark Limont, and Elaine Ostroff, focuses on 21 who became successful designers in the fields of architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, and related professions impacting the built environment. The book was made possible by a grant from the NEC Foundation of America and is available for $15 from Adaptive Environments of Boston, Mass. But you can also read it for free on the Internet simply by accessing it at www.AdaptiveEnvironments.org/accessdesign. The late Ron Mace, FAIA, is credited with inspiring the book. He's remembered as an internationally influential architect with a disability who defined universal design as the design approach to create environments most people can use throughout their lives. "There is clearly an advantage to understanding and designing the environment from the lens and sensitivity of being different, being with a disability," says Brad Grant, chairman of architecture at Hampton University and president of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, who has favorably reviewed the book. One of the profiles focuses on Terry Brown, a professor of landscape architecture at the University of Michigan. Disabled by multiple sclerosis in 1981, he adapted his teaching technique as his disease progressed. Confined now to a wheelchair, he makes use of a laptop computer coupled to an LCD projector in teaching two of the major courses for all students in U-M's landscape architecture program. "Most of the students entering the program do not realize the breadth of the profession and are quite surprised by the courses they are required to take," Prof. Brown says in the book. "For example, in the course on Landscape Planning and Analysis there is an encompassing focus: The intent of this course is to acquaint students with important issues, problems, and approaches in landscape planning and at the same time to convey to them than planning is not separate from but an integral part of design." I think you'll find Building a World Fit for People excellent reading.

TACKLING THE PUNCHLIST
Pocket Punch 1.5 has joined a small list of hand held computer applications intended to automate record keeping for punch list duties. It's being sold by Aktera Development Systems, a division of Neighborhood America Inc., Naples, Fla., and you can get extensive information on it at www.pocketpunch.com. Designed for Windows CE handheld devices - such as Compaq iPAQ models, HP Jornada models, and the Casio BE-300 - the software can integrate wirelessly with SQL databases for continuous two-way synchronization. It organizes punchlist items by the Construction Specifications Institute MasterFormat divisions for report generation. Relevant data can then be distributed to all subcontractors by e-mail, fax, printed paper, or through secure web site portals. Optional modules include form trackers and change order software. PocketPunch is being sold for $500 to $700 per project with no limit on users. For more information talk to Jason Breed, an Aktera salesman, at 402/916-9117.

Questions? Comments? Idea?
Please submit your responses to the Great Lakes Fabricators & Erectors Association as soon as possible. You can call our new offices in downtown Detroit at 313/309-2000. Or you can drop an email to Guy Snyder at guysny@concentric.net or call him at 313/961-9217. We hope to hear from you soon!