Office of Public Information and Communications
Columbia University
New York, N.Y.   10027
(212) 854-5573

Anne Canty, Director of Communications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 31, 1996

Media Advisory:

Former Army Corps Official Gives Local Infrastructure Failing Grades

Many of the New York Metropolitan Region's infrastructure systems received failing grades as part of a report card prepared for June 3rd's "Construction Industry Colloquium on Infrastructure: Future Directions for Policy, Technology and Finance," by F.H. "Bud" Griffis, former head of the US Army Corps of Engineers New York District and now a Professor of Civil Engineering Construction at Columbia University.

The Conference is co-sponsored by the National Infrastructure Center for Engineering Systems and Technology (NICEST) and the New York Building Congress. Scheduled speakers include: officials from Federal, State and local government, including Ambassador Charles Gargano, Chairman of the Empire State Development Corporation; Mortimer L. Downey, Deputy Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation; Peter Vallone, Speaker and Majority Leader of the New York City Council, and Elliot G. Sander, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation.

Griffis will be available for comment on Sunday. Griffis can comment on recent water main breaks and the impending closure of Fresh Kills Landfill.

WHAT:	Construction Industry Colloquium on Infrastructure:
		Future Directions for Policy, Technology and Finance

WHEN:	Monday, June 3, 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

WHERE:	Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, 			Kellogg Conference Center 15th Floor, 420 West 118th Street

Note to the Editor: To reach a weekend press person, use beeper #917-451-1940 and enter your phone number for a return call.

5.31.96
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