What if there were something would create or save thousands of jobs in San Francisco and California, yet save money, energy, and people’s lives? Inevitably every proposal along these lines has some crazy caveat, but not here. The only catch would be finding a politician with enough gusto to actually get it done. I’m sure any proposal here would inevitably be torn to shreds, but I’m an optimist.
Here’s the plan: Required retrofitting of all older buildings for energy use and seismic safety. But wait, you say, what about the money? Why would anyone waste time and energy on this? What’s to save? What benefit would this be?
The money part is actually the easiest to answer, at least for energy audits. Many simple measures can be done to cheaply save heat and electricity from flying out the window. Some legislation is beginning to require energy audits at sale of a house, but this needs to be done now. Just look to Berkeley, where solar installations are paid for by the city, and the cost (far less than the money saved) is added to property tax. Money for seismic retrofits would be harder to control, but I’m sure some insurance savings would go a long ways to motivating people.
Beyond the fiscal motivation, there are also more noble concerns: Saving the planet. Less money going to OPEC. Cleaner Air. Fresher water. Saving historic buildings. Saving lives. Each of these should be enough to consider your options as a building owner, but the combination is almost irresistible.
Lastly, there is the job factor. While the ARRA (Stimulus Bill) went to great lengths to provide funding for new jobs in large infrastructure projects, the little guys were ignored. Of course I’m biased in this, being an architect, but small scale construction is one of the last things to come back online after an economic rebound. Even though there are plenty of new houses in the ex-urbs, the 100 year old houses in San Francisco simply aren’t safe or efficient. A stimulus plan on this note would help employ design professionals (architects, engineers, surveyors, and interior designers), manufacturers, and construction workers. Huge segments of the economy could be rehabbed from the top-down.
I’m sure everyone who feels under-employed is asking for government help right now, but that’s not the whole story. This project would create jobs while aiding safety and energy savings. We would actually make things, instead of simply moving money around, and you can easily see the results in lower monthly payments. Of course these would all be local jobs too, with local benefits. And one can hope that we would end up with a better looking and functioning city at the end of it.
Comments
Leave a Reply
