SPURRED BY the 2013 Center City building collapse that
killed six and last week's criminal conviction of the building's demolition
contractor, a City Council bill was introduced yesterday to foster greater
accountability in the construction industry.
Councilman Curtis Jones, the bill's sponsor, said he was disturbed
that only contractor Griffin Campbell and excavator operator Sean Benschop were
convicted, while building owner Richard Basciano and building architect Plato
Marinakos Jr. were not charged.
"What part of the game is that?" Jones said,
quoting a constituent he recalled chatting with in a barbershop.
"I would say to you, everyone should be held
accountable for what they do. The bill that I introduced today will begin that
process," said Jones, whose 4th District includes Overbrook, Manayunk,
Wynnefield and Roxborough.
The legislation calls for fines, professional license
suspensions and revocations and referrals to law enforcement officials for
"responsible" persons who fail to promptly notify the city by calling
9-1-1 to report violations of law or substandard practices at construction
sites that present substantial threats of death or serious injury.
Among those who would be required to act are contractors,
construction supervisors, foremen, site safety managers, expediters,
architects, engineers, property owners and their representatives, according to
the bill.
Source: Philly.com
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