Otak Blog

This Saturday, July 31, Portland Professionals Engineers Without Borders (EWB) will host its second annual kickball tournament. A group of mullet and kickball lovin’ Otakians and friends are joining in on the fun by joining forces to create “Team Mullet.” The Team will play at least three games while enjoying a day at Glen Haven Park (NE 82nd and Siskiyou Street) socializing with engineers and other fun loving individuals. In addition to the kickball game, a raffle and compilation of mini games will entertain those interested. The tournament benefits EWB projects in Tanzania, Haiti, and Ecuador. Come cheer, laugh, and hang out with the team, and learn more about EWB and their mission. For more information, please contact Rose at rose.horton@otak.com

On Wednesday, a bus full of 20 students from Reynolds High School drove into Otak’s parking lot ready to learn. Inside they were greeted by friendly faces from numerous Otakians within different disciplines – architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, human resources, marketing, surveying, to name a few. Students were split into two groups, and led around the building by Otak “tour guides” to learn about who we are and what we do. Engineers explained drawings, marketers handed out proposals, and landscape architects revealed renderings. Each student was instructed to write down what they learned from each discipline, specifically responsibilities associated with each. After a couple hours of running around the building, the students sat down to discuss what they learned over pizza and soda. We hope that this rare opportunity was an eye-opening experience for the students. It certainly was for us Otakians.

Cedar Creek Culvert to Bridge Replacement; Sherwood, Oregon
The American Public Works Association awarded the Cedar Creek project with the Project of the Year Award in the “Environment less than $5 million” category. The Cedar Creek project results include the design of a single-span, precast prestressed girder bridge; stream and wetland restoration; a regional multi-use trail; and improved roadway safety and functions.

OHSU Center for Health and Healing; Portland, Oregon
The OHSU Center won The Outstanding Building of the Year Award from the Building Owners and Managers Association International. Otak’s responsibilities for the OHSU Center included onsite and offsite civil engineering for the 2-block building, specifically assisting with the permitting through DEQ for the installation and outfall from the wastewater bioreactor system. The 16-story medical building obtained LEED Platinum status.

Otak recently launched an environmentally-friendly publication, the Otak eNewsletter. Distributed quarterly, the eNewsletter updates clients, partners, and associates on current and completed projects, new hires and promotions, community events, awards, and other news. To view the entire eNewsletter, please click here. If you decide that you like the eNewsletter and want to be added to the mailing list, please click here.

Two Otak employees from our Lake Oswego, Oregon office passed the Professional Engineering exam. Congratulations to our newest PEs: Ae-young Lee and Karla Zenz.

Attention entrepreneurs, creatives, professionals, small businesses and start-ups:

Otak, Inc. now has Pod space available for rent in a convenient Lake Oswego location, with free parking and other amenities. If you are looking for a single work station or a place to grow your small business, we have flexible, furnished office space that will let you take your business to the next level.

We know it’s tough for small businesses right now. Otak was founded in 1981, in the midst of another tough recession. We have thrived through creativity, determination and a commitment to sustainable business practices. Now, we want to encourage new and emerging businesses that share our values. Businesses with an emphasis on the environment, energy, conservation and creative services will be given first consideration for this space, which is offered at below-market rates.

Located at 17344 SW Lower Boones Ferry Road, adjacent to Otak’s headquarters offices, the building is situated on a wetland with beautiful views of water and the wildlife that cohabitates with us here. Other amenities include:

-Reception and furnished waiting areas
-Fully equipped large and small conference rooms
-Wireless Internet
-Kitchen
-Large multi-purpose space for meetings, seminars or recreation
-Technical support and space planning for a fee
-Peaceful outdoor deck overlooking the wetland

Bring your own cell phone or connect to traditional phone service at your cost. Wireless Internet service will be available in all workspaces and common areas. Choose an 8×8 work space or larger office. Pods start at $200.00 per month, with enclosed offices offered for $400.00 per month. Lease terms are month-to-month or longer periods can be arranged.

Did we mention Starbucks is the next door up?

Call Cheri Govro at 503-699-4504 for more details and a tour.

Two Otak employees from our Lake Oswego, Oregon office passed the Professional Engineering exam. Congratulations to our newest PEs: Rose Horton and Terry Soltz.

Otak recently won a “Best Project Study” award from the American Planning Association, Arizona Chapter for its work on the Redevelopment Plan Update for the Town of Florence, AZ. As prime consultant, Otak worked with the Town to develop a plan that would revitalize the historic downtown core to accommodate an increase in jobs and its first master planned community.

Situated along the banks of the Gila River 60 miles southeast of Phoenix, Florence is the state’s sixth oldest settlement. Aside from obvious improvements, much of the historic downtown core remains as it was in the 1880s. The plan, which was adopted by the Town in February 2009, includes goals and policies to increase the residential component of downtown, create a mixed-use district, reinforce compact building design, and strengthen and preserve the existing mixed-use character of the historic core.

Other goals and policies include strengthening walkable neighborhoods; preserving open space, farmland and natural beauty; and providing for a variety of transportation choices.

On January 5, Kirkland’s Otak office sponsored a blood drive for the Puget Sound Blood Center. We had 30 registered donors (which equates to blood products for 90 western Washington recipients). Thirteen (43%) of those that registered were first time donors! Great job donors (and no one passed out)!

Last Saturday morning a group of Otakians and friends spent two hours volunteering at the Oregon Food Bank. Tasks ranged from packaging canned foods and discarding smashed cans to constructing cardboard boxes and loading them onto pallets. As the conveyor belt turned, hands reached out for the food that would help feed hungry Oregonians. Our group packed 12,872 pounds of food (this is enough food to provide 9,901 meals to those in need). Each individual put 330 meals on the table. The rewarding experience left us all feeling like we were “riding on a cloud” for the rest of the day.