In his recent viewpoint, John R. Butler Jr., unfairly criticized the entire construction industry in Georgia and blamed general contractors, construction managers and the like for not "caring" about their projects, for hiring unskilled workers, and for passing responsibility for their projects to subcontractors or specialty contractors (ENR 3/18 p. 99). The Associated Builders and Contractors, representing nearly 500 contractors, subcontractors and construction-related firms in Georgia, agrees that there are problems with some construction projects in the state. But we want to remind Butler that contractors are not the only ones to blame. Georgia’s process for construction projects is flawed.

Butler’s Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission should help make the process more open, fair and less bureaucratic, and should consider price and quality equally. We understand why many construction firms choose not to do business with the state. We also recommend that the state do a better job of promoting the construction industry as a promising and rewarding career path.

Members of ABC have a proven record of caring about the quality of construction. If Butler is serious about improving the quality of Georgia’s construction, then his commission ought to partner with the state’s leading construction trade associations and members. Together, we could determine what improvements needed to be made from a market standpoint rather than by placing additional mandates on contractors.

BILL ANDERSON
President & Executive Director
Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia
Atlanta, Ga.

We Have A Track Record

I am writing to clarify statements made in "Movie of Job that Defies Description Is Worth More Than A Million Words" (ENR 4/8 p. 24). The article indicates that the Walt Disney Concert Hall is the first project on which Frank Gehry, and by extension our firm, has served as executive architect. In fact, our firm has served as the architect of record and has assumed responsibility for the production of technical documents on countless projects over our 40-year history.

For the record, the downtown Los Angeles site for the concert hall is not owned by the city but by the County of Los Angeles, which has been a major contributor to the project.

JAMES GLYMPH
Partner
Gehry Partners
1520-B Cloverfield Blvd.
Santa Monica, Calif.
Fair Treatment

I just finished my second run through of your article on the the Walt Disney Concert Hall (ENR 4/8 p. 24). I thought you did an excellent job of describing a very difficult and complex project while treating the subject very fairly. Terrific writing and great article.

CHRIS RAFTERY
Skilling Ward Magnusson Barkshire Inc.
Seattle, Wash.

Tanks A Lot

I was glad to see that ENR recently included a story on an elevated water tank project (ENR 4/8 p. 16). Please be aware that the term "Hydropillar," used in that story, is a trademark of Chicago Bridge & Iron Co.

RICH KOOY, P.E.
Director of Corporate Marketing
Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
1501 North Division Street
Plainfield, Ill.