Latest News

On behalf on the staff, Board and the members of AIA Ohio, we wish everyone has a great holiday season and we look forward to enhancing the built evironment and advancing our communities in 2014, through Architecture.

John P. Rademacher AIA of AIA Dayton was appointed earlier this week by Governor John Kasich to a term on the Ohio Architects Board.  A long time advocacte for the design profession, John has worked in the design, construction and development industry for more than 30 years.  He is past president of AIA Cincinnati and is a Principal at SFA Architects in Cincinnati where he has worked for the past thirteen years.  He has also served as a member of the Cincinnati Climate Protection Steering Committee and has recently been appointed to the Miami Township (Clermont County) Zonning Commission.

John is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture and Planning (DAAP) and holds and NCARB certificate as well as registration in seven states. His term began October 3, 2013.

As we approach the end of 2013, the AIA Board Advocacy Committee of the AIA Board of Directors is working to develop an agenda for the coming year that is based not on the concerns of what happens in Washington, but rather our members.  In an effort to better understand needs, we ask that each member participate in our 2014 Call for Issues Survey.  The survey should only take about five minutes and will be extremely helpful to both the board and staff.

This survey seeks your views on a wide range of topics, and the responses will be used by the Board Advocacy Committee to establish priorities for the coming year as we continue to be more proactive in our efforts.  This is a great opportunity to contribute your thoughts to AIA’s advocacy effort.

Also included in the effort is a review of the Board Advocacy Committee’s review of three of the Institutes Policy and Position Statements.  We need your input to better understand member views on our public policy.  If you wish to review the current statements, they are available on the Advocacy Website.

This is an opportunity to help direct the work of the national advocacy team and your input is needed.  We thank you for your time and energy in advancing the needs and issues of the profession.

AIA National Board Advocacy Committee
Bruce Sekanick AIA, AIA Ohio Valley Region Director 

   Today Governor John Kasich announced that David S. Collins, FAIA, of Cincinnati has been appointed to the Board of Building Standards for a term beginning October 8, 2013, and ending October 13, 2015.  Collins is a Past President of AIA Cincinnati as well as AIA Ohio.  He also served a two-year term as Secretary of the AIA, when he served as the Codes Task Force Chairman.

Through a press release from AIA President Mickey Jacob, FAIA, the AIA urged congress to put aside political differences and work together for the “common good” of the American public.  Noting that the the design and construction industry is just begining to recover from one of the worst economic downturns in modern history, Jacob stated that ” The last thing we need is the self-inflicted wound that can potentially further damage the economy”.  In his statement, Jacob noted that AIA members are disillusioned with the current political atmosphere in Washington, and urged lawmakers to put aside differences and work together.

Jacob also encouraged members of the AIA to make sure their voices were heard and to continue to be engaged in the political arena.  Noting the connection between the federal government, the profession and the shut-down, the AIA released a list of comprehensive questions and answers for members.  This list titled Federal Government Shutdown: What You Need to Know, can be found on the Federal Advocacy website has been attached to assist members in addressing their concerns on the status of current and future design work and other consequences of the Federal Shutdown 

Click on the above photo to view a video from AIA President Mickey Jacob FAIA and the AIA National Board of Directors

During a meeting of the AIA National Board of Directors held this week in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the Board of the AIA voted for significant changes to the board size and board structure.  The board meeting, which took place September 19th – 21st, focused on issues of board governance, member services, and the ability of the AIA to becoming a more nimble and flexible organization with a governance structure that reflects those needs.   The new structure is a bicameral system that includes both a Board of Directors and Governing Council. 

Proposed to include 11-15 members, the new board will work closely with AIA management to provide operational and fiscal guidance to the organization.  The second body is a Council that will provide strategic vision and directives to the Board.  The Board anticipates a vote on the final format in December.

In a related move, the Board of Directors agreed with the recommendations of the Member Service Resource Task Force and passed a resolution to make changes in the overall organizational focus of national and the components.  Changes will focus on members services, minimum standards of service for components, and fiscal and and organizational changes to some parts of the component structure.  More information will provide to component leadership as the staff, board and leadership develop the specific changes required by the resolutions.

AIA Oho Valley Regional Directors Martha Tarrant AIA (AIA Kentucky) and Bruce Sekanick AIA OAA (AIA Eastern Ohio)represented AIA Ohio at the meeting along with Associate Director Wayne Mortenson Assoc. AIA and Institute Vice President Deb Kunce FAIA.

Click on the document to the right to view a PDF of the resolutions approved by the Board.

How you can participate on behalf of the profession.

As summer comes to a close, so too does the August recess for House at Senate members of Congress.  With the session to resume on September 9th, members are encouraged to take this opportunity to visit their congressional representatives while they are in their home districts and away from fast paced activities of Washington.  With the Shaheen-Portman Bill to be discussed by the Senate as the first energy bill of the fall session, the support of membership will be key to help keep the 2030 goals within the bill.  You can  support this effort by visting the AIA Advocacy webpage and signing on as a supporting firm.  The website also features one AIA Ohio member’s recent meeting with Senator Portman, demonstrating how not all meetings need to take place at a congressional office.  Members of AIA Cincinnati also visited Representative Wenstrup’s office and worked with AIA Ohio and national staff in relaying the concerns and needs of AIA members to the Congressman.  AIA Ohio thanks everyone who made an effort to meet with House or Senate members during the August recess.

Shift from the Income to Consumption Taxes Still Alive

The legislative debate over how to make Ohio’s state and local tax structure more competitive did not end with the June enactment of the state’s biennial budget bill. In particular, the municipal tax uniformity and reform measure, House Bill 5, is still awaiting House action. In addition, some key state policymakers continue to discuss the possibility of additional, broader tax reform.

The Municipal Tax Reform Coalition, comprised of nearly 30 business organizations including the Ohio Chamber, is the primary group supporting HB 5 and pushing for its passage. Working with HB 5 co-sponsors Reps. Cheryl Grossman and Mike Henne, the Coalition has made numerous compromises to address the concerns of municipalities about the bill, most of which deal with allegedly negative revenue impacts.

A new substitute version of HB 5 should be ready for consideration by the House Ways & Means Committee by the middle of September. Specifically, the substitute bill will further refine the provision allowing businesses to deduct prior year net operating losses (NOLs) from current year income for up to five years. The NOL issue has been the biggest obstacle to garnering the support of cities for HB 5 and the Coalition will likely be making one last revision to the NOL provision in hopes of achieving that objective.

As for other future tax reforms, Gov. John Kasich and legislative leaders want to build on the momentum of the 10 percent personal income tax and small business tax cuts enacted in the budget. The administration has made no secret of its desire to shift the focus of the state’s tax structure from taxing income to taxing consumption.

In anticipation of the upcoming tax reform debate, House Speaker Bill Batchelder has appointed a special House Tax Reform Study Committee that will have five meetings across the state over the next four weeks. The first four committee meetings, including the one that occurred last week in Chillicothe, will allow citizens and businesses to express their ideas and concerns about Ohio’s state tax policies. The fifth meeting, to be held at the Statehouse in Columbus on Sept. 17th, will solely discuss municipal tax issues. 

 Join us September 19th thru the 21st of September at the AIA Ohio Valley 2013 Region Convention

Cooler weather and back-to-school sales can only mean one thing….Convention.  The AIA Ohio Valley Convention Committee has been working hard over the past year to prepare what we believe to be an outstanding opportunity for learning and networking, all centered around beautiful Louisville, Kentucky.  This years conference, titled Transitions, focuses on the changes to the profession and how we as an organization can respond to the ever changing definition of architecture. With keynote presentations by notable architects such as Frank Harmon FAIA, Marlon Blackwell FAIA, Vincent James FAIA, and Jennifer Yoos FAIA, the convention provides attendees with a great opportunity to experience nationally recognized designers at this regionally focused event.   

Centered at the Marriott Downtown on W. Jeffereson street, our keynote speakers are just the beginning of this chance to experience Louisville. With more than 16 learning units being offered over the three day event, along with several great opportunites to network and visit the centrally located exhibition center,  this years program provides members with a chance to attend top notch programs all in our back yard.  Located on the Ohio River, Louisville is a dynamic, growing community that has re-created itself over the past decade.  More than doubling its population in the since 2000, Louisville has grown to become an important business center, while at the same time retaining its heritage.  Home to the largest historic district of victorian homes in the country, Louisville’s downtown also lays claim to the largest number of cast iron facades outside of the SoHo District of New York.  With events planned for the Louisville Palace Theatre and the Muhammad Ali Center, attendees will have a great chance to see both the new and the old of this great architectural community.

Mark your calendar, reserve your rooms, complete your registration and join us for this years AIA Ohio Valley Regional Convention and “Transition” with friends and colleagues as we work to change our profession.  Register now to make sure you don’t miss out.

Registration Link: AIA Ohio Valley Convention

Hotel Link: Marriott Downtown Louisville