April 9, 2020
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On April 8, 2020, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 122 ceasing all non-essential construction projects.
Below is a summary of the order:
Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order today that will force all non-essential construction projects to
cease operations effective 8:00 pm this Friday.
Exceptions include: hospital and school projects, transportation and utility sector projects, affordable housing projects, other individual housing sites that can adhere to strict limits on the number of workers at any given time, and emergency repairs needed to secure a construction site.
AIA NJ President Steven B. Lazarus, AIA
On the same day, AIA NJ leaders met to discuss the impact and position of AIA NJ. Our president, Steven B. Lazarus, AIA, issued the following statement:
The architectural design and building construction sector of the New Jersey economy is significant. Restrictions on construction can have far reaching economic and social consequences.
AIA New Jersey supports Governor Murphy’s executive order regarding non-essential construction projects. The Governor’s carefully crafted executive order balances the importance of construction activity with the severe public health emergency of the Covid-19 pandemic. AIA New Jersey supports policies that will protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. The safe return of a healthy public and a normal building design and construction economy is in the best interest of New Jersey. AIA New Jersey believes this executive action will facilitate the public health emergency to safely conclude as soon as possible.
Our president’s remarks were included in ENR’s article on the subject. Read that article HERE.
Justin Mihalik, AIA
AIA New Jersey’s Legislative and Government Affairs Chairman and AIA NJ Past President, Justin Mihalik, AIA, noted, “PA and NYC both halted construction more than a week ago so it is not surprising that the Governor took this necessary step to protect construction workers and many others involved in construction projects. With non-essential businesses closed, shutting down non-essential construction projects allows for the limited labor available to focus on essential construction projects.”
Executive Director Joseph Simonetta, Hon AIA, CACE
AIA New Jersey Executive Director Joseph Simonetta, Hon AIA, CACE, stated that, “We need to support the Governor’s attempt to mitigate and flatten the curve. In these difficult times we must rely on the science and the advice of our medical community to support our Governor’s action to arrest this horrible virus and do our part to get NJ and the region back to economic recovery as soon as possible. We all have to do our part and the sooner we pull together, the sooner we will return to normalcy.”
AIA New Jersey will continue to provide updates and resources to our members to navigate this uncharted territory and hope that the Greater New York/ New Jersey construction community stays healthy and safe until we resume full business activity.
By Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, AIA NJ Advocacy Consultant | Posted in Uncategorized | | Comments (0)
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