Participation in the Recovery …
How satisfied are you with the way your federal dollars are being spent on the Louisiana recovery? Is the rate of progress sufficient given the size of the project? What do you think is being done well, and what not so well? Could you come up with a sentence or two describing what has been done so far, and what remains to be done?
Let’s talk about the recovery on two fronts. The first we’ll call physical/tangible, such as levee-building work and debris removal. The second we will call the planning front, where professionals are developing the plans that will guide the reconstruction. These plans will enable money to flow to homeowners to rebuild according to the operative process for their area of the city.
Today’s focus is on the planning front. The web site of the Louisiana Recovery Authority says that the community planning process …
“will combine the efforts of many experts, stakeholders and citizens into a comprehensive approach: 1) Parish recovery plans by FEMA; 2) Local design charrettes by Duany-Plater Zyberk; 3) The development of a toolkit for residential and commercial architecture by Urban Design Associates; and 4) A long-term regional vision led by Calthorpe Associates.”
How were these planners chosen? I am certain that these firms are respected and capable, but from the larger body of respected and capable planners what caused them to be chosen? Was politics involved?
DPZ is based in Miami, UDA in Pittsburgh, and Calthorpe in Berkeley, CA. Do they have local partners or subcontractors? Are the locals aligned with any particular public official or political group?
How does a local individual or consulting firm present their qualifications for subcontracting work? Do subcontracts go out for bid? Is hiring centralized by LRA, or do bidders take their chances with each of the major firms?
We welcome your comments and suggestions.
Let’s talk about the recovery on two fronts. The first we’ll call physical/tangible, such as levee-building work and debris removal. The second we will call the planning front, where professionals are developing the plans that will guide the reconstruction. These plans will enable money to flow to homeowners to rebuild according to the operative process for their area of the city.
Today’s focus is on the planning front. The web site of the Louisiana Recovery Authority says that the community planning process …
“will combine the efforts of many experts, stakeholders and citizens into a comprehensive approach: 1) Parish recovery plans by FEMA; 2) Local design charrettes by Duany-Plater Zyberk; 3) The development of a toolkit for residential and commercial architecture by Urban Design Associates; and 4) A long-term regional vision led by Calthorpe Associates.”
How were these planners chosen? I am certain that these firms are respected and capable, but from the larger body of respected and capable planners what caused them to be chosen? Was politics involved?
DPZ is based in Miami, UDA in Pittsburgh, and Calthorpe in Berkeley, CA. Do they have local partners or subcontractors? Are the locals aligned with any particular public official or political group?
How does a local individual or consulting firm present their qualifications for subcontracting work? Do subcontracts go out for bid? Is hiring centralized by LRA, or do bidders take their chances with each of the major firms?
We welcome your comments and suggestions.
posted by John V at 8:46 AM
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