AIA Pennsylvania Joins Sen. Eichelberger and Rep. Grove in Support of Reforming School Construction Reimbursement Process
Proposed PlanCon Moratorium Hurts Architects and Economy
Watch the Rep. Seth Grove Press Conference – Re-organizing Plan-Con
For immediate release:
Harrisburg, PA – June 15, 2015
AIA Pennsylvania joined Senator Eichelberger, Representative Grove, the PA School Boards Association and PA Association of School Business Officials today at a press conference in support of reforming the PlanCon school construction process. In addition, the prior moratorium and proposed moratorium on PlanCon funding is hurting architecture firms.
“Our business has plummeted significantly,” said Dwight Knouse, AIA. “School district clients have put their projects on hold. And, due to the uncertain nature of receiving future state funding, there is an extreme amount of hesitancy.”
School construction is a major player in the economy of the United States and Pennsylvania. More than $14 billion was spent in the U.S. on school construction last year according to a report from School Planning and Management’s 20th Annual School Construction Report.
“The classroom environment can affect a child’s academic progress over a year by as much as 25%. If school 
construction is funded properly, it will create jobs for contractors, material manufacturers and supplier, architects, engineers, surveyors, etc. The ripple effect through the economy is significant,” said Knouse.
We encourage the entire legislature to pass Senate Bill 694 and House Bill 210 and implore Governor Wolf to sign these bills into law if they are brought to his desk.
“This legislation will help students, schools, businesses and taxpayers by helping to keep costs low for school construction,” said Vern McKissick, AIA.
About AIA Pennsylvania
Founded in 1909, AIA Pennsylvania is the state-wide component of The American Institute of Architects. AIA Pennsylvania, headquartered in Harrisburg, is governed by a Board of Directors representing eight local AIA chapters across the Commonwealth. Our Association serves approximately 2,600 members. Visit www.aiapa.org.