Concrete Meets Taxing Demands in Kansas City
In the shadow of the Kansas City Convention Center, host of the recent ACI convention, two buildings under construction showcase concrete benefits.

The new Internal Revenue Service Processing Center (pictured) combines old and new in an energy-efficient structure. The 616,000 square-foot office building uses both conventionally reinforced and post-tensioned concrete.

The new building consists of three 200,000-square-foot wings that will house the processing functions. The wings will be connected with a “main street” that will serve as circulation and support space for the processing function. Each of the three wings will be designed to turn on or off for maximum efficiency during non-peak times. Increased productivity through a quality work environment will also be addressed with access to natural daylight and improved workstation standards. Anchoring the new facility is the existing historic Post Office, a 475,000 square foot federal-style building that will serve as the public entrance to the IRS building.

Just down the street from the IRS is another tax-related concrete structure: the new World Headquarters for H & R Block. The 18-story, 550,000-square-foot office tower uses wide modular pan and joist framing with post-tensioned concrete girders.

Combined, these projects will consume more than 120,000 cubic yards of concrete. Both projects have the same design team of 360 Architecture, Structural Engineering Associates, and JE Dunn Construction.
Contact Amy Trygestad

Board Approves 2006 Slate of Budgets, Programs
PCA member company CEOs and senior executives gathered in Washington, D.C., November 13-15, for the Fall Meeting of the board of directors. Among principal actions:

• Approved a 2006 budget of $25.3 million
• Maintained current dues rate of 7 cents per metric ton of cement on U.S. shipments and 3 cents on Canadian shipments
• Elected Jim Repman, California Portland Cement, (pictured) to a second one-year term as board chair. Charlie Sunderland, Ash Grove Cement, will serve a second one-year term as vice chair.
• Heard progress reports from PCA councils and committees and reviewed 2006 programs

The next meeting of the PCA board of directors is scheduled for April 2-4, 2006, in San Antonio, Tex., where PCA will join the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association for the first joint meeting of the two closely aligned groups.
Contact Jan Farnsworth

EPA's Johnson Stresses Collaboration, Technology
Speaking at the Special Issues Session of PCA's Fall Meeting, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson cited partnerships with industry and new technology as key factors in protecting the environment without sacrificing U.S. economic competitiveness.

"The answer will be technology, not signing a treaty that pushes our businesses offshore,” said Johnson (pictured) in reference to global climate change and the Kyoto Accord that would limit greenhouse gas emissions in developed nations.

Johnson noted that in terms of technology and health, particulate matter is the most significant issue on EPA's agenda. He urged cement companies to get involved as the Agency moves forward to develop new regulations.

Other speakers at the Special Issues Session included Charlie Cook, the popular political commentator and editor and publisher of the Cook Political Report. Cook assessed the current political climate in Washington and presented his views on how the 2008 presidential race is shaping up for both Democratic and Republican hopefuls.

Also addressing the group was Mark Racicot, former two-term governor of Montana, past chair of the Republican National Committee, and chair of the Bush-Cheney 2004 re-election campaign. Racicot now heads the American Insurance Association.

PCA Expects Record Demand for Cement to Continue
PCA’s Fall Forecast Report expects 2005 cement consumption to hit record levels again this year. The report predicts a 5.2 percent increase in consumption in 2005, followed by a 3.7% increase in 2006. The summer forecast had projected a slightly lower increase for both years.

Although according to the forecast, residential construction will slow down during the next few years, an increase in commercial construction and public works construction will more than make up for the residential decrease. The rebuilding of New Orleans, which is expected to begin during the second half of 2006, will also contribute to increases in cement consumption.
Contact Ed Sullivan

Skokie Courses

Troubleshooting: Solutions to Concrete Field Problems
March 20-22, 2006

Kiln Process
February 6-9, 2006

Cement Manufacturing for Process Engineers
December 5-8, 2005

Cement and Concrete Overview
February 9-10, 2006

Concrete: Principles and Practices
February 27-March 2, 2006

Aggregates and Chemical Admixtures for Use in Concrete
March 13-14, 2006

Supplementary Cementing Materials (SCMs) and Ternary Blends
March 15-16, 2006

Mill Grinding
March 20-22, 2006