SunSentinel Mention

October 23, 2020

Peter Moore, P.E., F.ASCE, ENV SP, LEED AP

President, Chen Moore and Associates

Last week: Eleven minutes. That's how long I was able to stay with my wife during the admitting process before her gall bladder surgery. I wasn't able to come back for almost six hours. That's another harsh byproduct of the pandemic. Fortunately for us, it was relatively minor surgery that went relatively well, but what's it like for children or those going into much more worrisome treatments? The additional strain on patients cannot help their recovery process, and it means even more workload on the kind medical professionals that have additional mundane duties – I couldn't even fill up her water jug.

SunSentinel Mention

September 18, 2020

Peter Moore, P.E., F.ASCE, ENV SP, LEED AP

President, Chen Moore and Associates

Last week: The construction industry is always tied to the economy. Availability of capital and interest rates on the private side, decreases in taxes and user fees on the public side. While construction has generally moved along for the last six months of pandemic, I received word Friday that the State is beginning to cut back and cancel transportation projects. For those in the service industry, I’m sure not many tears will be shed, but construction has been the lone bright spot in unemployment and every dollar invested returns 7 to the overall economy. We’re close to a very negative turning point.

Looking ahead: I just can’t get over how little is being made of the census wrapping up in less than two weeks. Multiple lawsuits are trying to extend this deadline because of COVID-19 impacts, but those will likely be sorted out by next week. The nature of the Census and a hasty count would impact some deserving areas for an entire decade, limiting their ability to handle growth and care for their citizens. The next couple weeks will determine the outcome of the next decade for many Floridians.

SunSentinel Mention

September 11, 2020

Peter Moore, P.E., F.ASCE, ENV SP, LEED AP

President, Chen Moore and Associates

Last week: Recently the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) partnered on a new economic report that quantifies water infrastructure investment and what happens when the nation fails to invest. The report “The Economic Benefits of Investing in Water Infrastructure: How a Failure to Act Would Affect the U.S. Economy Recovery” shows that closing the water investment gap brings enormous economic benefits and public health protections. As federal lawmakers consider how best to alleviate economic hardships caused by COVID-19 and protect public health, it is critical they understand the role water plays in keeping communities safe and healthy and our economy flowing.

Looking ahead: We all understand the immediate need for Congress and the administration to provide fiscal relief to state and local governments hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are also longer-term stressors on our nation’s infrastructure system that need to be addressed, specifically the relationship between the federal government and local governments. The ACEC Research Institute and partners have produced a series of recommendations to better align federal policies, funding options and regulations with local priorities within urban areas. The Community Serving Infrastructure: A Playbook for a New Infrastructure Partnership offers recommendations. Our local officials should read the Playbook this week.