If you haven't heard of the EB-5 program, it's likely you will soon. The program, launched in 1990, was just reauthorized by an overwhelming majority in Congress and it is becoming highly visible throughout the country.

The program was initially launched as an incentive to entice individuals from other countries to invest in American business in exchange for residency. After more than 20 years of existence, because of the recession, EB-5 funding has become an extremely attractive financial option for public officials.

So how does the EB-5 program work? It's fairly simple. The office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will grant to investors of $1 million, or $500,000 in an economically disadvantaged area, residency rights in America. 

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Part of 15-year, $12 billion program to address system's ongoing needs

Kristi Lafleur

Officials are hoping to attract a diverse group of businesses to work on 12 new contracts as part of the state's 15-year, $12 billion tollway capital program. "Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future" plan of the Illinois Tollway is looking for vendors who can provide planning, design, construction management and technical services for these contracts.

"These new contracts represent nearly $79 million in capital investments to our system and include opportunities for smaller businesses in keeping with our commitment to ensure that everyone has a chance to benefit from Move Illinois," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. The contractors being sought will include planning, design, construction management and technical services.

Following is the outline of the work to be contracted:

• Two construction management contracts for the Elgin O'Hare Western Access Project, including improvements to interchange ramps at I-290;
• Construction management contract for I-90, including improvements to the Lee Street Interchange;
• Environmental and engineering studies contract related to the Illinois Route 53/120 corridor;
• A contract for design services for the reconstruction of seven Tollway maintenance facilities;
• A network support and technical guidance contract for the Tollway's Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) network; and
• A pavement management services contract to assist the Tollway in monitoring and maintaining roadway pavement. There will be five design and construction management contracts for miscellaneous repair and improvement projects.

Tollway officials say the "Move Illinois" program will improve mobility, relieve congestion, reduce pollution, create as many as 120,000 jobs and link economies across the Midwest region. The program addresses continuing needs of the existing Tollway system. Plans are to rebuild and widen the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) as a state-of-the-art 21st century corridor. A new interchange to connect the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-57 will also be constructed. And a new, all-electronic Elgin O'Hare Western Access will be built. The program also will fund planning studies for the Illinois Route 53/120 Extension and the Illiana Expressway.

Firms seeking to submit proposals can find more information at the "Doing Business" section on the Tollway's website www.illinoistollway.com. Submissions are due Nov. 19. Work is expected to start early next year.

Seeks information on programs that can create energy efficiencies

Those who are part of the "green" energy industry are being asked to respond to a Request for Information by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) relating to sustainable building technologies and practices that will support its "Green Proving Ground" program. The program is casting a broad net that includes the green energy industry, commercial organizations, education institutions and nonprofits. GSA is hoping to establish a conversation that will lead to better performance of federal buildings - both economic and environmental.

The offerings that are selected for the program will become a part of a test program in federal buildings. The results will be used by GSA to adapt other facilities to become more energy efficient. And that's a lot of facilities - about 9,600 in all. GSA is looking for innovative technologies and practices that can be used at no cost as a test program, or those that can be donated.

Free listings offered for RFPs to public sector entities, nonprofits

Many of those affected may soon see uptick in construction jobs, work activity

Facing estimates of up to $50 billion in estimated property damages and destroyed businesses from Hurricane Sandy, it may seem like a sacrilege to talk about there being an "upside" to the path of destruction along the East Coast. While residents and businesses in that area dig out from under the destruction, many know that they or their neighbors, particularly in the mid-Atlantic area, could at least see more jobs and work opportunities as construction firms, contractors and local governments begin hiring. An expanded workforce will be needed to rebuild, renovate and repair homes, buildings and transportation infrastructure.

Construction jobs have long been seen as a major driver of the economy, and the increase in those jobs for cleanup and recovery from the hurricane will provide jobs with higher pay than other jobs in retail, restaurants and other industries. Other contracting opportunities will open for architect, engineers, retailers and more. The manufacturing industry also could be affected as many of the boats and motor vehicles destroyed by the storm will be replaced.

Economists predict tens of billions of dollars will flow into the regional economy as a result of the storm. The storm damage could also result in more public-private partnerships (P3s), according to some economists. Infrastructure needs will result from the badly damaged Jersey Shore as well as New York tunnels that were under water. Because P3s can generally be completed faster by the private sector, these types of projects could lend themselves to this type of construction arrangement.

Higher education bond votes Tuesday to build new facilities

Several community colleges throughout the nation approved bond elections Tuesday that will result in major facilities construction. Houston Community College voters approved a $425 million bond referendum that will build new facilities. In New Jersey, voters approved $750 million in bonds for facilities at public research universities, four-year public colleges and community colleges. And in North Carolina, a successful $15 million bond vote will provide a new applied technology facility for Alamance Community College and a $200 million successful bond vote in Wake County will benefit Wake Technical Community College.  

Schools in Hawaii look to install solar panels for energy

Ray L'Heureux

Over the next five years, Hawaii public schools could see solar panels installed on all of their facilities. The state's Department of Education sees the plan as one of cutting electricity costs while moving the state closer to its renewable energy goals. The proposal calls for installation of solar panels at all 256 of the state's public schools. The Education Department would buy solar power from the vendor at a reduced rate and the state would have little upfront costs. Other energy efficient equipment also would be installed at the schools. "Nobody has done this yet to this size and scale," said Ray L'Heureux, the department's assistant superintendent for facilities and support services. He said a review of similar programs throughout the country showed the plan is feasible for Hawaii. Energy industry officials called the proposal "ambitious" because there is no similar case of an entire school district moving to solar power. Schools in other states, however, are starting to do solar installation. Nearly 125 schools in California have solar power systems and 40 more are moving toward the program. In New Jersey, more than 250 public and private schools are using solar panels. Any surplus energy that might be produced by the schools in Hawaii could be sold. The program would help move the state toward its 2040 goal of using 90 percent clean energy.

Facility needs to be addressed in CIP for New York school district

After a survey of the Churchville-Chili Central School District in New York, voters will go to the polls on Dec. 11 to vote on a new Capital Improvement Project. The project addresses safety and accessibility needs at Chestnut Ridge Elementary and Churchville Elementary schools. The survey is performed every five years and facility needs are ranked by level of importance. The repairs needed at the two elementaries were deemed unable to be listed as just general repairs in the next operating budget. Work on the schools done as a capital project can be financed from money saved in the capital reserve fund and from state aid. School officials will be meeting with the public and with school staff over the next few weeks to explain the need for the projects. The Chestnut Ridge project includes a secure entrance; toilets, stage, entries and site accessibility issues; realignment of some rooms; safe bus staging and parent drop site access; energy issues that include windows and HVAC; and ventilation issues. At Churchville, the same accessibility issues will be addressed, along with site access including safe bus staging, parking and parent drop; and safety issues. 

 

Indiana University considering privatization of parking

MaryFrances McCourt

Indiana University is considering privatizing its parking operations on its Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses and has hired an investment banking firm to evaluate possible public-private partnership opportunities. The firm is charged with developing a strategic plan regarding such a P3 structure and analyzing the economics of such a proposal to see if the university should move forward and request proposals from interested parties. IU Treasurer MaryFrances McCourt said the firm has expertise in these kinds of partnerships. "The university has taken a comprehensive and judicious approach to this issue from the beginning, and this is the latest step to ensuring that all the facts are in hand so that the university can make an informed decision," she said. The firm, Goldman Sachs, has an infrastructure advisory division and has been involved in several other projects including the Chicago Skyway, Indiana Toll Road and the Denver Regional Transportation District.

 

McAllen eyes foreign investors to help fund $16 million hotel project

McAllen city officials recently began discussions with a group of foreign investors to help fund a $16 million, 195-room hotel project at the McAllen Convention Center. A development group that operates other hotels in McAllen has partnered with the EB-5 Regional Center of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation to match foreign investors with projects that create jobs, city officials said. Once EB-5 officials finalize documentation for the project, developers will seek a maximum of 32 investors to commit at least $500,000 each to the proposed five-story McAllen convention center hotel project, city officials said. The EB-5 program, a federal immigrant investor program, allows investors who help create jobs in high unemployment areas of the United States and their families become eligible for visas, green cards and permanent residency in the United States. Several hotel projects planned at the convention center have been announced, but were placed on hold as the economy worsened and the drug war continued along the border with Mexico, city officials said. With no on-site hotel, the McAllen convention center has struggled to attract major meetings and conventions even when offering free use of the convention center building, said officials of the McAllen Convention and Visitors Bureau.

California county courthouse bonds sold, construction set for 2013

David Rosenberg

Following last month's bond sale, construction on the new Yolo County (California) Courthouse is scheduled to begin next year. Sold were $133.8 million in lease-revenue construction bonds. The new facility, a 163,000-square-foot building, will house 14 courtrooms and will replace the old facility, which Superior Court Judge David Rosenberg said is old and can no longer meet the needs of the community. He called the old facility too small, poorly designed and has numerous other problems relating to its age. Construction on the new facility is expected to begin early in 2013 and will carry a $160.6 million price tag. The project is expected to be completed by May 2015. "Once the cash is lined up, there are no further hoops that we have to jump through," said Rosenberg. Subcontractor bidding is the next step in the construction process, to be overseen by the construction manager chosen for the project. Procurement information about the project is now available.

 

Colorado city seeks partner to help build CNG fueling station

A proposed public-private partnership is being considered by the city of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, as officials there are trying to establish a compressed natural gas fueling station. A proposal being considered would offer a $10,000 incentive to a partner to help get the project started. The city also would apply for an additional $90,000 from the county. The city and the Garfield Clean Energy (GCE) and the Western Slope CNG Collaborative were hopeful to be able to find funding of $200,000 from one or more energy companies to the incentive amount. City officials are supportive of the use of CNG fuel. Adopting an "if you build it, they will come" attitude, City Manager Jeff Hecksel has recommended the plan go forward, pointing to the Rifle station that was built and currently has sales of 5,200 gallons per month. With a station to offer CNG in Parachute, officials are hoping one in Glenwood Springs would support key highway corridor in the area and expand service to other communities.

 

Alamogordo seeks $2.17M in grants, loans for desalination plant 

Susie Galea

The Alamogordo, New Mexico, City Commission is seeking grants and loans totaling $2.17 million to help defray the costs of a temporary desalination facility. A resolution approving application for the funding from the New Mexico Finance Authority was approved, as was one committing the city to operation and management of the facility. Mayor Susie Galea noted that the commission last month authorized seeking $1.8 million from an existing loan agreement. She said the city may eventually have to seek more funding as the city already has spent approximately $15 million obtaining water rights in the area of Snake Tank Road. The city has been authorized to move forward with the project that will pump brackish water to be delivered to the city where it will be desalinated and made ready for use by the city. The desalination plant is the second highest priority on the city's Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan. The city has hopes that the plan will help the city deal with water shortfalls in coming years. A permanent desalination plant will be built later near the site of a federally operated desalination research facility.

 

Ohio village planning to seek bids for $3 million service complex

Bids are expected to be sought early next year by the village of St. Bernard, Ohio, for a new $3 million service department complex and fire department facility. Officials are expecting to negotiate a $5 million bond issue with a local bank to finance the facility along with a streetscaping program for its business district. The city is facing an August 2014 deadline for being out of its current service and fire department facilities. St. Bernard also has future plans to build a new $6 million public safety complex for its fire and police departments.

 

Pennsylvania city plans to issue RFP to privatize water, sewer

Ed Pawlowski

The city of Allentown, Pennsylvania, is expected to issue a request for proposals to seven companies interested in leasing the city's water and sewer systems. The lease would be for up to 50 years and could bring in as much as $200 million to the city, according to Mayor Ed Pawlowski. The bids are expected to be issued soon and city officials have seven bidders already qualified. The bids are expected by the beginning of December and officials are hopeful to pick the winning bid by the end of the year, with a contract expected to be signed by March of next year. Pawlowski said bid proposals from the water companies will be reviewed by a committee of City Council members and city administrators. That group will then make its recommendation to the full Council, with the Council responsible for approving a lease contract. "Once we get the bids back, we can talk about this from a position of knowledge rather than speculation," said Pawlowski. If the bids are not what the city expects, the process will end, he said. He added, however, that privatization may be the only answer other than huge increases in taxes and water rates. While some say they would rather move for creation of a public authority to run the water and sewer systems as opposed to privatization, Pawlowski said water rates would increase several hundred percent to pay for the bonds to create an authority.

 

Check out these recent awards: 

Greeley partners with private sector firm for solar farm project

Tom Dingeman

The largest solar farm in Weld County, Colorado, will result from a public-private partnership between the city of Greeley and three private sector firms - Oak Leaf Energy Partners, Enfinity America Corporation and Intermountain Electric. The three firms will fund the $1.5 million facility and ground is scheduled to be broken this month. The 500-kilowatt solar farm is expected to be completed by late December. The project will bring renewable energy to the city's Water Pollution Control Facility. The solar farm will include 2,119 panels on three acres. It will average 726,000 kilowatt hours of electric generation annually. "In the first year we should realize about $19,000- $20,000 savings, dependent upon how Xcel Energy rates increase," said Tom Dingeman, wastewater division manager. "We are projecting between $800,000 and $1.4 million in savings for the city over 20 years." This marks the second major energy efficiency project taken on by the division in recent years. The plant installed high-speed turbo blowers in its aeration system that are more than 25 percent more efficient than the old units. Dingeman said that project is saving the city between $100,000 and $120,000 each year. In exchange for the funding, the wastewater department will enter into a 20-year power purchase agreement with the city.

West Virginia exploring recycling public-private partnership

Privatization may not be the key to the city of Charleston, West Virginia's recycling problems. Fearful that a solely private venture would not work, city officials are now considering a public-private partnership. Officials have been told that a completely private system would be too costly for a vendor. So they are now looking at a private sector partner to team with a public agency to run the recycling program or having a public agency run it. A task force has been set up and will discuss the issue and make its recommendation to the Kanawha County Commission. Task force members already have eliminated the option to have a private entity run recycling in the county on its own because such a plan seemed unfeasible, said Colt Sandoro, the county's project manager who also sits on the task force.

 

TAMU-Corpus Christi readying for addition of 300 student beds

John Sharp

 Regents at the Texas A&M University System have approved plans for the addition of 300 new beds for its on-campus housing. The addition of the first 150 beds will occur in fall of next year and a second 150 will be added in fall 2014. The regents last week approved a ground lease for 3.6 acres for the new facility. The housing will be constructed and maintained by Camden Miraman, which has been in charge of managing the university's housing since 1994. The first two phases of student housing opened in 2010 and 2011. The new housing will be built on existing recreational and intramural fields on campus. A&M System Chancellor John Sharp said the university's plan to work with the private sector partner is reasonable for the university financially because the housing essentially is privatized and that can save taxpayers. He said every university in the state should operate that way. TAMU-Corpus Christi President Flavius Killebrew said the next step for the university will be to plan for establishing an on-campus dining hall.

 

Illinois city planning to construct 400-space parking deck through P3

Thomas Thanas

Joliet, Illinois, City Manager Thomas Thanas has been given the green light by the City Council to begin negotiations with Tinsley and Associates for construction of a $9.8 million, 400-space parking deck that will provide additional downtown parking as well as for the local baseball team fans. The facility is expected to open by January 2014. The deck will play a major role in the Joliet Gateway Center transportation hub providing additional parking for increasing numbers of motorists who will use the new train station for commuter trips to Chicago and for longer Amtrak trips. The new facility also will provide additional safety for travelers who use it, as it is an enclosed, lighted, state-of-the-art structure that is close to the train platforms. Two high-speed elevators will be installed. The facility will also feature 6,500 square feet of retail space on the first level. Officials point out that a similar transportation hub built in Normal not only increased the number of users, but also attracted developers who are building a hotel and convention center near it. The city will sell bonds to pay for the construction, which will be recouped through user fees. The new deck is anticipated to generate approximately $918,000 per year from fees and retail space rent. After paying for a firm to manage the deck, the city's take will be about $270,000 per year, which will be used for an escrow fund to pay for future improvements.

 

Illinois

• The Illinois Tollway is seeking a licensed commercial roofer to furnish, deliver and install roof replacements at the following locations: Plaza 14 - Radio Room - Jane Adams Memorial Tollway (I-90) at Illinois Route 59, Mile Post 59.7; Plaza 36 - Storage Room - Tri-State Tollway (I-294) at 82nd Street, Mile Post 19.7; Plaza 39 - Storage Room - Tri-State Tollway (I-294) at 83rd Street, Mile Post 19.3.
• The State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources will accept proposals from responsible vendors interested in the operation of a restaurant, bait shop and boat rental concession at Beaver Dam State Park located in Plainview, Illinois. The concession operation will be authorized to rent, sell, serve or dispense food, confections, hot and cold nonalcoholic beverages, tobacco products, selected souvenirs and novelties in good character, newspapers, post cards, boats, canoes, canoe equipment, bicycles, paddle boats, boating equipment, bait, fishing and hunting licenses, marine, fishing, picnic and camping supplies, vending machines and to place electronic/video games.

South Carolina

• The Information Technology Management Office, on behalf of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole & Pardon Services, is soliciting bids for Topaz Systems Electronic Signature Pad Model T-S261 with USB Connectivity. Topaz Systems signature pads are the only pads to come pre-loaded with SigAnalyze software, which is necessary for forensic analyzation of digital signatures.
• The South Carolina Information Technology Management Office is soliciting bids for a statewide contract for Microsoft Volume Licensing Enrollment for Education Solutions (EES).

Massachusetts

• The Department of Conservation and Recreation is seeking proposalsto develop a master agreement for design and engineering services for the Waterways Division including the Office of Water Resources, Office of Dam Safety, Office of Lakes and Ponds and the Office of Flood Control. The services include topographic and hydrographic surveying, sampling and testing for dredging, sampling and testing analysis for water quality, coastal processes modeling, hydraulic modeling, environmental studies, permitting, engineering, design, construction oversight and other services required for the waterways processes. This procurement is a rolling enrollment and bids will be received during the life of the contract.
• The Department of Conservation and Recreation is seeking professional engineering services to be provided statewide for DCR projects typically under $10M in value. Services will be provided through an agency master agreement with multiple vendors in support of DCRs physical infrastructure of buildings, roads, bridges, utility systems, rinks, pools, athletic fields and trails and will include the following services: site evaluation, technical analysis and reports, schematic, preliminary, final design, preparation of technical specifications, cost estimation, construction services and related capital project tasks.

 Louisiana

• The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is seeking bids for a records information management program.
• The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is seeking bids for management services for disaster cost recovery.

Pennsylvania

• The State of Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is seeking bids from qualified vendors to provide all labor, material and equipment required for hazardous material abatement/mitigation in Bldg. #1 at Harrisburg Military Post. Work will also include relocation of existing furniture and miscellaneous items.
• The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is seeking bids for janitorial services/cleaning for PennDOT office in Northumberland.

Are you a government official who has moved into a new position or to a new agency? Did you recently retire? Were you recently named to an executive-level position at a state-supported college, university or community college? Have you secured a new job as superintendent of a public school? If so, we'd like to hear from you - and so would your friends and colleagues - for our "Where Are They Now" column. Just drop us a line at editor@spartnerships.com and let us know about your previous job and where you are now. This week we feature Jonna Kirschner.

 

Jonna Kirschner

Jonna Kirschner earned her bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and her law degree from Boston College School of Law in Massachusetts. After earning her law degree, she was the managing director and vice president at The Kirschner Law Firm. Kirschner has more than 25 years of multinational experience working in different aspects of international corporate law, corporate structure and overall business management. As an attorney, she worked at several other law firms in both Oklahoma and the United Kingdom, where she lived from 1987-1994. As a member of the Law Society, Kirschner is licensed to practice as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales. She is also licensed in Oklahoma, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. Kirschner was hired as deputy director and general counsel of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce in 2003. In that position, she managed the legal division, including the Quality Jobs Program, and directed the operations of the Business Customer Services Division, the Public Information Office, the Regional Development Specialists and the Oklahoma Main Street Program. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin recently appointed Kirschner as executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to replace former director Dave Lopez, who is stepping down, but will continue as secretary of commerce in Fallin's cabinet.

 

Betsy Lulfs (top left), executive director of the Minnesota Science and Technology Authority has announced her resignation to take a senior management job at TechColumbus, a public-private partnership that supports startups in Central Ohio and runs a business incubator there. Brian Crawford (top middle), current assistant chief administrative officer for the city of Shreveport, La., has been named Plano, Texas' new fire chief. Jon Weizenbaum (top right), deputy commissioner of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services since 2006 who has served as interim commissioner twice during that time, has been named the agency's next commissioner. City of Miami finance director Stephen Petty resigned on Tuesday, one week after a local newspaper reported that he had been hired without meeting the minimum job qualifications of being a CPA or having experience in local government. Scott Devillier, director of operations in the Zachary (Louisiana) Community Schools since 2010, has been named the district's superintendent, replacing Superintendent Warren Drake. Dale Rauenzahn, former executive director of student support services in the Baltimore County Schools and a 36-year veteran in the school, has been chosen to head the district's new school safety office. Lars Hafner (middle right), president of the State College of Florida, has announced his resignation, prompting two of the college's trustees, to announce they were quitting. The Rockford (Illinois) Public Schools have chosen Dr. Ehren Jarrett (middle center), assistant superintendent for the last 18 months, as the schools' new superintendent. Magda Gonzales (middle left) former Redwood City deputy city manager, was recently chosen as the new city manager of the city of East Palo Alto, replacing ML Gordon, who resigned. Ted Spring, former president of New River Community and Technical College in Summersville, West Virginia, has been selected as the new president of the Cape Fear Community College in North Carolina. Kevin Carman, former dean of the College of Science at Louisiana Tech University for nine years, has been appointed executive vice president and provost of the University of Nevada, Reno. Kenneth H. Yoakum, former employee of Mountaineer Gas, where he managed the company's vehicles and oversaw maintenance of 18 facilities, has been chosen executive director of West Virginia's State Fleet Management Office, where he will oversee the state government's 6,500-vehicle fleet. Judy Bonner (bottom left), who has served as executive vice president and provost of the University of Alabama, has been chosen president of the university, replacing former President Guy Bailey, who resigned. Aron Boros (bottom center), commissioner of the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, has been chosen to serve as the first executive director of Massachusetts' Center for Health Information and Analysis. The Board of the Technical College System of Georgia has selected Dr. Ivan Allen (bottom right), president of Middle Georgia Technical College since 2005, as president of Central Georgia Technical College in Macon. Bob Brewster, a former Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office sergeant, was recently named chief of the Attica (Indiana) Police Department. Kelly Kraft, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's chief spokesperson, has been selected to head the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, the small state agency that runs the home of the Chicago White Sox. Honolulu Fire Chief Kenneth Silva has announced his retirement, ending his nearly seven years as head of the fire department.