Oregon will spend $300 million in construction bond funding for seismic updates on public buildings.
The funds are included in the legislature’s $1.2 billion capital construction budget. Sen. Peter Courtney, the state’s Senate president, said the allotment for seismic updates is more than lawmakers have ever put toward such projects, according to the Portland Business Journal.
“We know there will be a major quake. We know too many of our schools will collapse," Courtney said. "These funds will help us fix our schools. These funds will save children’s lives.”
The bond funding plan dedicates $175 million for the Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program, a program that helps make at-risk schools safer in the event of a major earthquake.
A 2007 Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries survey found that more than 1,000 Oregon school buildings face a high risk of collapse during earthquakes.
Related Stories
Industry Research | Dec 8, 2015
AEC leaders say the 'talent wars' are heating up: BD+C exclusive survey
A new survey from Building Design+Construction shows that U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction firms are being stymied by the shortage of experienced design and construction professionals and project managers.
Market Data | Dec 7, 2015
2016 forecast: Continued growth expected for the construction industry
ABC forecasts growth in nonresidential construction spending of 7.4% in 2016 along with growth in employment and backlog.
Contractors | Dec 2, 2015
FMI: Nonresidential construction in a slowdown, according to latest NRCI score
“Economic recovery momentum is losing steam and rising costs in labor and materials start to put a load on the industry,” said Chris Daum, President and CEO of FMI.
Contractors | Dec 2, 2015
ABC releases scorecard on state policies affecting the construction industry
The scorecard website identifies states that have good environments for merit shop contractors, like Arizona, and states that could improve conditions, like New York.
Contractors | Dec 1, 2015
ABC: September's nonresidential spending retains momentum in October
Spending increased in 10 of 16 nonresidential construction sectors on a monthly basis.
Greenbuild Report | Dec 1, 2015
Data centers turn to alternative power sources, new heat controls and UPS systems
Data centers account for 2% of the nation’s electricity consumption and about 30% of the power used annually by the economy’s information and communications technology sector, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
![The contractor’s role in promoting job site sustainability [AIA course]](/sites/default/files/styles/list_big/public/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-01%20at%209.07.23%20AM.png?itok=UyfyfxCn "The contractor’s role in promoting job site sustainability [AIA course]")
Contractors | Dec 1, 2015
The contractor’s role in promoting job site sustainability [AIA course]
Robins & Morton’s Jackie Mustakas offers specific actions that contractors and construction managers can take to green every job site.
Contractors | Nov 30, 2015
Sundt Construction opens its own craft employee training center
The contractor's Center for Craft Excellence, in Phoenix, is in response to the labor shortages in the industry.
Contractors | Nov 24, 2015
FMI survey: Millennials in construction get a bad rap, tend to be loyal, hard-working
While the stigma exists that Millennials are entitled, disloyal, and lazy, it appears that this is not true, according to a new report from FMI.
Contractors | Nov 12, 2015
Construction will outpace worldwide GDP growth over the next 15 years
Three countries—the United States, China, and India—will account for nearly three-fifths of worldwide construction growth over the next 15 years, according to a new report from Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics.
