National Demolition Association Announces Convention Schedule
The National Demolition Association has announced the schedule of events for its 36th Annual Convention.
This year’s convention will be April 4-8, 2009, at Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Resort in Buena Vista, Fla.
Frank Addeman, vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering, will speak on Monday, April 6, about the creation of the Walt Disney World resort and what goes on behind the scenes to maintain it.
Educational breakout sessions on Tuesday, April 7, will include the topic of the emergency response to the I-35W bridge collapse in the Twin Cities and the subsequent cleanup; the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program and how the demolition industry plays an important role; and the issues and obstacles inherent in succession planning.
On Wednesday, April 8, a presentation will be made by Michael Casbon of Brandenburg Industrial Service Co., Chicago, and chairperson of the National Demolition Association’s Safety Committee on the BP Texas City refinery disaster.
The exhibit hall is open Sunday, April 5, through Tuesday, April 7. Michael Taylor, CAE, executive director of the National Demolition Association, adds that approximately 125 exhibitors are expected to showcase their products in Buena Vista, an increase from the 100 equipment and service providers who exhibited at last year’s convention.
More information about the convention is available from the National Demolition Association Web site at www.demolitionassociation.com.
Congress Could Boost C&D Recycling, Deconstruction
A bill introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives in January could offer "support for green infrastructure, housing rehabilitation [and] renewable energy generation on vacant properties," according to one of its supporters.
The Community Regeneration, Sustainability and Innovation (CRSI) Act of 2009 has been designed to create a new program within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) targeted toward cities and metropolitan areas experiencing large-scale property vacancy, abandonment and population losses.
The act’s supporters say it will provide assistance to communities to start or expand land banks that establish public control over vacant and abandoned property so that property can be redeveloped or otherwise used in beneficial ways.
A summary of the CRSI Act, prepared by its authors, says, "The Community Regeneration Act would encourage innovation, experimentation and environmentally sustainable practices through collaborative efforts to reuse land bank properties in ways that will provide long-term benefits to the public, whether it is through the creation of green infrastructure, economic development or other strategies. Implementation of such strategies would create new and sustainable employment opportunities for residents. The Community Regeneration Act would also strongly encourage multi-jurisdictional or regional approaches to addressing the problem of vacant and abandoned property."
Brad Guy, a deconstruction consultant and former president of the Building Materials Reuse Association, State College, Pa., says he was pleased to have been asked to provide input for the language of the bill as it relates to deconstruction and the reuse and recycling of materials.
Page 9 of the act, as currently proposed, says funding could go toward the "establishment of recovered building materials reuse and recycling infrastructure, facilities and technical support."
Another allowable use of funds, found on Page 10 of the CRSI as currently proposed, is for the "establishment of local government purchasing requirements for deconstruction to make use of existing building materials stock in new and rehabilitation construction."
In areas where land banking has created a portfolio of vacant properties, the CRSI also says the "deconstruction and demolition of vacant and abandoned properties" and the "demolition and removal of public infrastructure" can be funded through the act.
Nuprecon/CST Acquires Marcor
One of the nation’s largest demolition and remediation companies, Seattle-based Nuprecon/CST, has become larger still with the acquisition of Maryland-based Marcor Remediation Inc. Marcor specializes in environmental remediation contracting.
The newly combined company will have more than 1,500 employees in 20-plus offices. The company also expects to generate approximately $250 million in revenue per year.
Marcor’s significant presence and resources in the Northeastern United States complement the strong West Coast and Southeast presence of Nuprecon/CST, the company states in a news release announcing the acquisition.
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