LASN is a photographically oriented, professional journal featuring topics of concern and state-of-the-art projects designed or influenced by registered Landscape Architects.
Issue link: https://landscapearchitect.epubxp.com/i/85881
hardscapes news Belden Bricks Pave Walk Through Time Left More than 14,000 bricks were donated by The Belden Brick Co. to pave the Ohio State Fairground's Geological Walk Through Time exhibit, which will be open all year for viewing by more than 800,000 annual visitors to the fairgrounds. The ADA-accessible path is a journey through 450 million years of Ohio's geological history. Canton, Ohio-based hardscape manufacturer The Belden Brick Company donated 14,100 bricks to the Ohio State Fairground's new Geological Walk Through Time exhibit, a paved walkway within the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) area of the grounds. The ODNR finished the walkway construction in July. "This pathway provides a historic look into the natural evolution of the state of Ohio," said corporate manager Bradley Belden. "Belden Brick is honored to contribute to such a memorable exhibit." The walkthrough is a 286-foot-long set of educational exhibits detailing the geological history and composition of the state. The exhibits, which opened in July, include the world's largest geological bedrock map, depicting all 88 counties of Ohio. Boulders from quarries across the state were moved to the site to represent the composition of Ohio's diverse geological areas. The project is privately funded, and was made possible by donations to the Friends of the Ohio Governor's Residence and Heritage Garden. PCA Economist: Positive Present, Fuzzy Future Left The Portland Cement Association's chief economist is predicting real growth in the cement and construction industries for the first time since the recession struck – although the approaching 'fiscal cliff' could undo all of the progress made this year. Portland Cement Association (PCA) vice president and chief economist Ed Sullivan addressed the Associated Equipment Distributors Executive Forum September 7, providing insight into the state of the current and future construction market. Sullivan noted that construction activity grew 5.8 percent during the first half of 2012, boosted by a 14.4 percent increase in nonresidential and 8.4 percent rise in residential construction compared to 2011. "If we hold on that track, it will be the first time in four years construction has posted real gains," he said. The PCA upwardly revised its forecast for construction spending earlier this year, predicting 2012 to end with 5.5 percent growth, 2013 to decline slightly to 5.0 percent, then a surge in 2014 to 9.5 percent as the economy heals further. 22 Landscape Architect and Specifier News Sullivan also addressed the $600 billion elephant in the room – a round of federal tax increases and spending cuts that could drain $600 billion out of the economy if they kick in as scheduled on Jan. 2, 2013, potentially causing another recession. The economist foresees three possible scenarios for the year-end "fiscal cliff": Congress takes action to avoid it; Congress does nothing, allowing the cuts and tax hikes to kick in; or, the "fiscal cliff" occurs, and Congress tries to fix it after the fact. The third scenario could have a 'too little, too late' effect: "Once you let the genie out of the bottle, it's difficult to put it back in," Sullivan said. The PCA is assuming the fiscal cliff will be averted, despite the imminent deadline. "Our expectation is they will deal with it, but the economy will be slow to come back," Sullivan said. Oldcastle Architectural Acquires Hanson Hardscapes Oldcastle Architectural, a leading supplier of concrete masonry, lawn and garden products in North America, and a regional leader in clay brick, has acquired Hanson Hardscapes, a division of Hanson Building Products North America. The acquisition includes nine facilities in Florida, Michigan and Ontario. Hanson Hardscapes is a manufacturer of hardscape products, with 12 manufacturing and distribution facilities in Ontario (Markham, Mississauga, Woodstock), Michigan (Cement City), Virginia (Ashland) and Florida (Haines City, Lehigh Acres, Naples and Sarasota). Oldcastle Architectural has over 206 operating locations in 38 states and 2 Canadian provinces, and employs 7,000. Each location services the local markets. Oldcastle, Inc. is the North American arm of CRH, plc, one of the world's leading building products and materials companies based in Dublin, Ireland. Oldcastle operations include more than 1,900 locations in 50 states and four Canadian provinces. Oldcastle has 35,000 employees. CRH operates in 32 countries and employs more than 92,000 people at 3,500 locations.