September 7 , 2006
In this Issue:
State Tuned:
Save the Date—The BOMA International National Issues Conference Returns to Washington, D.C., March 12-13, 2007
BOMA International invites you to attend the 2007 National Issues Conference in Washington, DC. The conference, scheduled for March 12 and 13 at the Westin Grand Washington hotel, will be your chance to hear from leaders in Congress about the issues facing the country. You’ll also get the opportunity to voice your concerns over the important issues facing the commercial real estate industry face-to-face with your Congressman and Senators as we spend the day on Capitol Hill. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the voice of BOMA International on Capitol Hill! More information about the program and registration will become available soon.
Contact: Jason Todd 202-326-6356 or jtodd@boma.org
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Fate of Real Estate Tax Extenders Unclear
Congress returned earlier this week from its summer recess with plenty of unfinished business and only a handful of legislative days scheduled before leaving for the campaign trail full time. Among the unfinished business remains consideration by the Senate of tax extenders that include 15-year leasehold depreciation and immediate expensing of brownfields clean-up cost. With the House able to pass the “trifecta” bill that included the tax extenders, a permanent reduction of the estate tax and increase in the minimum wage, it’s up to the Senate to decide how to proceed. Reports have indicated possible avenues include attaching the extenders to technical corrections legislation to the pension bill or even bringing the trifecta bill back up once more. Whatever the strategy, it is clear that little time is left and that if the tax extenders fail to pass in September, they will have to wait until a likely lame duck session following the November elections. BOMA International continues to urge lawmakers to pass these tax provisions.
Contact: Jason Todd 202-326-6356 or jtodd@boma.org
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Real Estate Industry Jointly Sponsors Mixed-Use Conference
Mixed-use developments are quickly establishing themselves as a distinct product type and a trend that is revolutionizing the real estate landscape. Combining the elements of residential, retail, office and entertainment, Mixed-use projects are succeeding in both urban and suburban markets and on a global scale. This growth brings challenges as well as opportunities and a unique set of issues that are specific to mixed-use.
To understand mixed-use in today’s real estate market, BOMA, the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), the American Resorts Development Association (ARDA), and the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) have joined together to host a landmark Mixed-Use Conference that will be of interest to anyone involved in developing, designing, financing, leasing, managing and marketing a mixed-use project, as well as new and expanding retailers.
The conference is at the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Florida on November 16 and 17. Issues to be addressed during the conference include:
- Positioning and alignment of the different component uses
- Asset enhancement opportunities
- Interacting with the Public Sector
- Urban vs. suburban
- Vertical vs. horizontal
- Master planned vs. infill
- Design and construction
- Financing options and partnerships
Learn more about the Mixed-Use Development Conference
Contact: Dave Johnston (202) 326-6357 or djohnston@boma.org
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BOMAPAC Regional Competition Update
BOMAPAC would like to thank everyone who contributed to BOMAPAC at the BOMA International North American Real Estate Congress and Office Building Show® in Dallas, Texas in June. The Cowboy Hats, generously donated by BOMA Dallas, were a huge success and we hope they will be worn with pride.
Also, the annual BOMAPAC raffle proved to be a thriving success once again. Thank you to all participants for their contributions and a special thanks to the 19 BOMA local associations who donated the fantastic prize items, including two iPod Nano’s, Acoma Pottery, and lots of tasty meals. With your help and generous support, BOMAPAC raised $16,615 overall at Convention.
As for the Regional Competition, your contributions have been tallied and the results are as follows. Congratulations to the Southwest Region for surging out to the lead! As leaders of the commercial real estate industry, your participation dictates how successful BOMAPAC can be.
Contact: Jason Todd 202-326-6365 jtodd@boma.org
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Free Matrix Compares ADA Guidelines to 2006 IBC
The International Code Council (ICC) is announcing the release of a new comparison of the ADA accessibility standards with the International Building Code (IBC).
The new 2006 IBC/Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) Comparison actually compares three accessibility resources: the 2004 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities; the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG); and the 2006 IBC, which references the ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities-2003.
The 2006 IBC/ADAAG Comparison reduces confusion because the accessibility requirements are put together section by section.
Earlier this year, a similar matrix was made available by the U.S. Access Board referencing the 2003 IBC with 2004 Supplement. The new ICC comparison, updated to the 2006 IBC, will serve a wider audience as more jurisdictions adopt the 2006 International Codes and federal agencies implement the new ADA-ABA Guidelines. Places of public accommodation have to meet federal accessibility guidelines required under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The 2006 IBC/ADAAG Comparison has all of the information in one resource, making it easy to see how the codes and standards relate.
The 2006 IBC/ADAAG Comparison is available free for download from the website of the International Code Council.
Contact: Dave Johnston 202-326-6357 or djohnston@boma.org
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State Tuned...
BOMA International Brings Key Issues to State Legislators
BOMA International joined forces with other members of the Real Estate Advocacy Group for States (REAGS) last month to bring real estate’s issues to the forefront of legislators’ minds at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Meeting in Nashville. NCSL, a bipartisan organization representing all 50 states, provides legislators and legislative staff with research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues.
REAGS hosted a lunch for NCSL’s Economic Development, Trade & Cultural Affairs Committee, providing an excellent opportunity for BOMA to discuss the ways in which real estate can assist in fostering positive economic development. Additionally, the REAGS coalition launched its new website, which will serve as an information clearing house for state and local policymakers.
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NGA Issues Pandemic/Avian Flu Guidance
In an effort to prepare state and local governments to manage their responses to a potential outbreak of avian flu, the National Governors Association recently released "Preparing for a Pandemic Influenza: A Primer for Governors and Senior State Officials."
The report stresses the need to look beyond the initial public health and medical response and develop strategies to ensure essential government and private sector services – such as police, fire, paramedic, food, water and electricity – remain available during periods when a pandemic outbreak is at its peak and absentee rates are highest. It also calls for comprehensive planning that involves government agencies, businesses and individuals, each of whom will have a role to play in responding to a pandemic outbreak.
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Fall State Elections to Be Hotly Contested
Around the country, this fall’s state elections could bring sweeping changes to the make-up of the nation’s legislatures. Of the nation’s 7,382 state legislative seats, 83 percent are up for grabs this year. State legislative chambers are currently controlled almost evenly between the two political parties. Twenty legislatures are controlled by Republicans, 19 by Democrats and 10 legislatures are split between the parties. The National Conference of State Legislatures predicts ten states – Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon and Tennessee – will be election battlegrounds states.
Contact: James Cox 202-326-6364 or jcox@boma.org
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