For the Hardscapes column in the Firms of Tennessee and ASLA Fellows Issue, LASN is introducing 12 hardscapes products from LADetails including Iron Age Designs' metal grates that provide functionality and fit any hardscape paving material and Coverall Stone's stone water features.

 

The hardscape corner of the landscaping industry is undergoing a change through the unification of the Interlocking Concrete Paving Institute (ICPI) and the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA). The two associations have a history working with each other and many of their members overlap between the organizations. They believe that by unifying, they can more successfully carry out shared objectives and goals.

At the time of publishing (October 29), the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts, was last passed by the Senate in a 69-30 vote in mid-August, but over the last few months, the bill has seen a few proposed amendments that have delayed it being finalized. According to the White House, "the legislation includes $550 billion in new federal investment in America's roads and bridges, water infrastructure, resilience, internet, and more." This is further broken down into $110 billion specifically allocated as new funds for roads, bridges and major projects, and to reauthorize the surface transportation program for the next five years. Additionally, $16 billion is for major projects considered "too large or complex for traditional funding programs but will deliver significant economic benefits to communities."