Advocacy

The AIA represents the interests of architects before federal, state, and local governments and other policy-making bodies and organizations. This outreach, coupled with sustained member participation and active involvement in the political process, enables the AIA to advocate on legislative, regulatory, and related issues of importance to AIA members.  Below are current action items for our members to become involved.

AIA New Orleans, in partnership with AIA Louisiana, has been very active on issues as concerns the built environment at the city and state levels.  To learn more, or to become involved, please contact the Advocacy Committee chair, Michael Bell, AIA or Executive Director, Melissa Urcan.

ADVOCACY ACTION ITEMS:

The Historic District Landmarks Commission has been honored with a Preserve America Grant that, in conjunction with matching Community Development Block Grant funds, will finance the rewriting and updating of the HDLC design guidelines. Through a competitive process, we have selected the consultant firm, Preservation Design Partnership, to develop the new guidelines that will provide a vision of the future of the City of New Orleans that is in harmony with its past.

A critical component of this project will be the establishment of an Advisory Committee consisting of representatives of the City's preservation interests.

The Advisory Committee members will have the opportunity to provide valuable comments and insight while shaping this new document. We hope you will accept this invitation to serve on the Advisory Committee.

We understand that while your knowledge, experience, and expertise may be plentiful, your free time isn't. It is for this reason we plan on keeping meetings to a minimum and will be utilizing this Google group to post drafts of the new document for review, comment, and discussion. We anticipate posting updates monthly and, in order to maintain the current schedule (and our contract), need to receive all comments within 8 (eight) days of the posting.

Here is the group's description:

A select group of preservationists, architects, planners, city officials, and neighborhood representatives working to draft new and updated design guidelines for the New Orleans and Central Business District Historic District Landmarks Commission.

---------------------- Google Groups Information ----------------------

You can accept this invitation by clicking the following URL:

http://groups.google.com/group/hdlcguidelines/sub?s=1scZWAwAAAAGBbcQmJHqvX6i-PluBDiI&hl=en

To read a report on the 2006 Legislative Session please click here.  A copy of the 2007 Legislative Session report will be available shortly.