LV architects anxious about California vote

Brian Seals

Tuesday, June 2, 1998 | 10:39 a.m.

When Californians go to the polls today, architects from Nevada and around the nation will be keeping close watch.

Proposition 224 on today's ballot would require competitive bidding for state projects exceeding $50,000. Opponents of the measure say that would take qualifications out of the equation in awarding contracts, resulting in costly delays and business diverted from the private sector.

The Nevada and Las Vegas chapters of the American Institute of Architects have taken a strong stand in opposing the proposition out of concern such initiatives would spread to other states.

Backers of the measure say it would end pork-like deals politicians dole out to supporters in the form of no-bid projects. The Professional Engineers in California Government, a union, is pushing the proposal.

Opponents say that with no overhead or taxes to pay, as do private firms, state engineers would generally be the low bidders on such projects.

"They all have a competitive advantage," said John Treston, president of the Las Vegas AIA. "It's a competition killer."

Proposition 224 opponents raised $4 million by mid-May, according the California Secretary of State's office. The National AIA donated about $140,000 of that. Supporters of the measure raised about $696,000.

And whether it passes in California or not, Treston said the issue could come up again. Similar efforts are under way in New York, Massachusetts, Kansas and Hawaii. However, he said a similar initiative has not surfaced in Nevada.