William Skudlarek
@willskud.bsky.social
Building codes, housing, transit, former (recovering?) CPA from Chicago
Do you know what a "bench wall" is? Janno talks about it halfway through.
November 2, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Do you know what a "bench wall" is? Janno talks about it halfway through.
I doubt that tbh. It seems the Indiana GOP really love the SSL for whatever reason. Their prior Gov. cut the ribbon for the double track project.
October 31, 2025 at 9:51 PM
I doubt that tbh. It seems the Indiana GOP really love the SSL for whatever reason. Their prior Gov. cut the ribbon for the double track project.
Maybe??? The bill requires Metra to do two planning studies, one on a regional rail scheduling pilot for RID, and one on extending MED. but no regional rail scheduling req. for MED.
October 31, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Maybe??? The bill requires Metra to do two planning studies, one on a regional rail scheduling pilot for RID, and one on extending MED. but no regional rail scheduling req. for MED.
Rereading the transit bill language, saw a provision I don’t think has been discussed much. It forces Metra to ditch its noncompete agreement with NICTD, meaning you could take South Shore trains for trips that start and end in Chicago. I suspect Rep. Buckner added it. @starlinechicago.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Rereading the transit bill language, saw a provision I don’t think has been discussed much. It forces Metra to ditch its noncompete agreement with NICTD, meaning you could take South Shore trains for trips that start and end in Chicago. I suspect Rep. Buckner added it. @starlinechicago.bsky.social
So if the code official has a different interpretation than you based on a belief of what someone wrote potentially 15+ years ago, you’re just SOL?
October 30, 2025 at 4:13 AM
So if the code official has a different interpretation than you based on a belief of what someone wrote potentially 15+ years ago, you’re just SOL?
idk this seems sort of insane. Fire Dept. has access to plan docs but neglects to inform the developer that they have jurisdiction but they don’t realize it until inspecting the building and then tell them to rip things out??? And then proceed to blame the builder??
October 30, 2025 at 3:57 AM
idk this seems sort of insane. Fire Dept. has access to plan docs but neglects to inform the developer that they have jurisdiction but they don’t realize it until inspecting the building and then tell them to rip things out??? And then proceed to blame the builder??
I might be reading this wrong, but it looks like this version gets rid of the 15-vote release valve option. Only the 12-vote option remains. @starlinechicago.bsky.social
October 29, 2025 at 2:29 AM
I might be reading this wrong, but it looks like this version gets rid of the 15-vote release valve option. Only the 12-vote option remains. @starlinechicago.bsky.social
This reminds me of something I found in my research that I wanted to ask you about. Is what they are referring to in this screenshot single stack or is it something else?
October 16, 2025 at 4:41 AM
This reminds me of something I found in my research that I wanted to ask you about. Is what they are referring to in this screenshot single stack or is it something else?
This is the most important quote of the article for me. With the recent reduction in the funding gap, I was hoping this was a possibility as I don't want the governance reforms watered-down just to get to 60% if we don't need it to take effect right away. Glad to hear that is under consideration.
October 11, 2025 at 10:59 PM
This is the most important quote of the article for me. With the recent reduction in the funding gap, I was hoping this was a possibility as I don't want the governance reforms watered-down just to get to 60% if we don't need it to take effect right away. Glad to hear that is under consideration.
super-secret industry lobby group who tried to keep code groups separate
October 4, 2025 at 2:25 AM
super-secret industry lobby group who tried to keep code groups separate
Eventually industry turned on the UBC too though
October 4, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Eventually industry turned on the UBC too though
third-party code cost/benefit analysis = "Reviewer 2"?
October 4, 2025 at 1:36 AM
third-party code cost/benefit analysis = "Reviewer 2"?
Lots of examples of tribalism in early building code history
October 4, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Lots of examples of tribalism in early building code history
Authors reason that much of the hostility to innovation culture in building code spaces are at least partially due to the fact the building code positions don’t attract fresh blood into the profession. Stagnant talent pool fosters groupthink.
September 21, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Authors reason that much of the hostility to innovation culture in building code spaces are at least partially due to the fact the building code positions don’t attract fresh blood into the profession. Stagnant talent pool fosters groupthink.
Even with multiple model codes, there did not appear to much competitive pressure between them. The code groups looked more like a cartel, each had its own agreed-upon territory.
September 21, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Even with multiple model codes, there did not appear to much competitive pressure between them. The code groups looked more like a cartel, each had its own agreed-upon territory.
This is still quite true even 50 years later. Even with the consolidation of four model codes into just one. Only two states (CA and MD) fully adopt the IRC section requiring sprinklers in all single family homes.
September 21, 2025 at 3:03 AM
This is still quite true even 50 years later. Even with the consolidation of four model codes into just one. Only two states (CA and MD) fully adopt the IRC section requiring sprinklers in all single family homes.
I’ve been skeptical of the idea that there is a way the federal gov could require a nationwide building code. The 10th Amendment seems a pretty big hurdle to overcome but the authors posit a way it could happen. I wonder whether it would survive SCOTUS scrutiny though.
September 21, 2025 at 2:56 AM
I’ve been skeptical of the idea that there is a way the federal gov could require a nationwide building code. The 10th Amendment seems a pretty big hurdle to overcome but the authors posit a way it could happen. I wonder whether it would survive SCOTUS scrutiny though.
Move aside Solyndra, Lustron is the OG government-financed boondoggle
September 21, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Move aside Solyndra, Lustron is the OG government-financed boondoggle
I hadn’t realized this connection but this is a good point. We no longer use K&T and use much more advanced wiring, because ultimately you still need electricians to put the wire in. (Up to a point, Chicago still disallows Romex to this day)
September 21, 2025 at 2:27 AM
I hadn’t realized this connection but this is a good point. We no longer use K&T and use much more advanced wiring, because ultimately you still need electricians to put the wire in. (Up to a point, Chicago still disallows Romex to this day)
Already in the first few pages, it is interesting to see the similarities in US experiences in construction and transit. The authors have already pointed to Europe and how they made innovations in construction, that the US had not (and probably still hasn’t) made
September 21, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Already in the first few pages, it is interesting to see the similarities in US experiences in construction and transit. The authors have already pointed to Europe and how they made innovations in construction, that the US had not (and probably still hasn’t) made
Join me as I live-tweet (live-post?) my thoughts reading a book I don’t think has been discussed much in building code circles lately, “The Building Code Burden”, published 1975. It is one of the most-cited works outlining how the US building codes can inflate construction costs.
September 21, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Join me as I live-tweet (live-post?) my thoughts reading a book I don’t think has been discussed much in building code circles lately, “The Building Code Burden”, published 1975. It is one of the most-cited works outlining how the US building codes can inflate construction costs.