PPEA/PPTA Bulletin - May 24, 2007

by Christopher D. Lloyd, McGuireWoods Consulting

1. Fairfax PPEA for workforce housing falters

Park and ride proposal stumbles
Fairfax County Times, April 3, 2007

2. Virginia auditor takes a look at VITA PPEA implementation

A recent report by the Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts assessing the implementation of the PPEA for IT infrastructure

3. 95/66 HOT Lane vote delayed, then finally advanced

Board Delays Action on Va. HOT Lane Proposal
Washington Post, April 19, 2007

HOT Lanes' Allure
Washington Post, May 10, 2007

I-95/395 Toll Lanes, Wider I-66 Approved
Washington Post, May 17, 2007

4. Jefferson Forest High School PPEA construction moving ahead

Jefferson Forest renovations, expansion are taking shape
The News & Advance, April 27, 2007

School board looks at cuts to budget
Bedford Bulletin, May 4, 2007

5. Richmond seeks competitors for Performing Arts PPEA

The following notice is from the City of Richmond which has received an unsolicited proposal for the construction of the new Virginia Performing Arts Center project. A copy of the unsolicited proposal is available online.

City of Richmond, Virginia Notice of Receipt and Acceptance of an Unsolicited Proposal, for a Public-Private Partnership for the Richmond Center Stage and the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation Project No. C07177-1 The City of Richmond has received and accepted an unsolicited proposal under the provisions of the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 (as amended) (PPEA), for the Richmond Center Stage and the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation. In accordance with the procedures adopted by the City of Richmond and the provisions of the PPEA, other interested firms or other private entities are invited to submit competing unsolicited proposals for this project for simultaneous consideration. Deliver six (6) complete copies, together with the initial review fee of 2.5% of the proposed project cost or $50,000, which ever is less, to the Director of Procurement Services, City of Richmond, 900 East Broad Street, Room 1104, Richmond, Virginia 23219. Proposals must be clearly identified as a "PPEA Proposal" and received by the City of Richmond, Department of Procurement Services, no later than 3:30 P.M. Eastern Time, on Wednesday, June 13, 2007. Proposals arriving after the designated date and time will be rejected. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing to the Director of Procurement Services, at the address below, by no later than 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time, Wednesday, May 16, 2007. The proposed project sets forth: A totally renovated and expanded Carpenter Center, now known as the Carpenter Theater, and an improved Landmark Theater, A new Complex adjoining the Carpenter Theater, and Additional planning for the short-term and long-term use of the southeast corner of Broad Street and 6th Street. Submittals/proposals must be received in the Department of Procurement Services no later than 3:30 P.M. Eastern Time, on Wednesday, June 13, 2007. Please direct any inquiries to: Erna G. Robinson, CPPB Department of Procurement Services (804) 646-5796; Fax (804) 646-5989 Email: erna.robinson@richmondgov.com. 

6. PPEA for Shenandoah Research Institute project gets two responses

SRI Facility On Fast Track: Rockingham County Considering Two Design Proposals For SRI Building
Daily News-Record, April 30, 2007

7. Port of Miami Tunnel PPP falters on Cuban ties, Helms-Burton law

U.S. Port Contractor Has Terrorist Ties
Corruption Chronicles, May 11, 2007

8. Public vs. private ownership debated for Ambassador Bridge

2 recent NPR stories on the Ambassador Bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. They are very interesting related to the views of public vs. private ownership of transportation infrastructure.

Private Bridge on Canada Border a Security Concern

Proposal for New Border Bridge Draws Critics

9. SC/GA joint port plan advances

Legislation approval encourages port plan
The State, May 21, 2007

10. FAMPO endorses new PPTA for Route 3 access

Planning group supports access I-95 road would enter celebrate Virginia
Free Lance-Star, May 22, 2007

Also available online is a solicitation for this project.

11. Frederick County public safety center PPEA project opens

Settling in: Public Safety Building opens
Winchester Star, May 22, 2007

12. Wolf blasts Dulles Greenway toll hike

In addition to the news coverage, see the letter issued by Congressman Wolf's office regarding his opposition.

Congressman seeks postponement of toll increases
Examiner.com, May 22, 2007

13. PPTA questioned as solution to Virginia's road woes

Toll roads take a toll on Virginia
Roanoke Times, May 21, 2007

14. Manassas Park seeks PPEA proposals for recreational facilities

In addition to the press coverage below, see the city's PPEA solicitation.

M. Park recreaction renovation set
Potomac News, May 24, 2007

15. Dulles Rail PPTA plans continue to draw criticism

Official attacks Dulles rail criticisms
Examiner.com, May 22, 2007

16. RTP leaders approve toll road, first for North Carolina

Wake leaders approve toll road
News & Observer, May 17, 2007

17. Port privatization debated for Virginia

Next great debate: public or private ports?
The Virginian-Pilot, May 20, 2007

18. VDOT panel advances Route 460 PPTA plans

All roads lead to CTB Independent Review Panel forwards 3 plans to relocate U.S. Route 460
The Progress-Index, May 24, 2007

19. Evaluation of PPEA for mental health facilities continues

A recent presentation by the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services on the use of the PPEA for Eastern State and future department projects.

20. Congress opens fire on PPP, industry fires back

Last week, Senator Oberstar and Congressman DeFazio issued a letter to all state governors warning them to go slow on PPP projects impacting the national road network. Yesterday, the Reason Foundation shot back. See copies of the original letter and the response.