Otak

Albina Library Ribbon Cutting: Reimagining a Historic Location with Modern Features

A community ribbon cutting marked both the official halfway point of the Multnomah County Bond project and the historic opening of the Albina Library. As the largest library to open in Portland, Oregon in more than 100 years, work on the Albina Library also included the historic preservation of a Carnegie Building that dates back to 1912.

Among the activities across the grand opening weekend were musical performances, workshops, readings, and crafts like flower origami. This opening follows previous events for the county, including the Holgate Library ribbon cutting. As bond program managers for Multnomah County Library’s historic capital bond program, Otak project leads Mike Day and Judith Moses were on-hand alongside public officials and the broader Albina community to celebrate the milestone.

About the Albina Library Project

With 11 building projects now complete, Albina Library represents just one piece of the overarching $450 million bond program that makes these improvements possible. The expansion adds more than 22,000 square feet of space while preserving and seismically upgrading the historic Carnegie Building, making it the city’s largest new library since the 1913 opening of Central Library. The location of Albina Library in a historically black neighborhood also heavily influenced its design. More than 3,500 community members were engaged across more than 65 public outreach activities to gather input.

A variety of murals, sculptures, and other artwork by local artists can be found throughout the location to reflect the community’s cultural backgrounds. To ensure the library’s public spaces reflect the needs of the surrounding community, 27 teens participated in the Youth Opportunity Design Approach (YODA), collaborating directly with project architects and library staff to create spaces that are welcoming, functional, and teen-friendly. That effort led to a new 1,743 square foot space where teens can gather to play games or study.

Additional new community spaces include an outdoor courtyard where patrons can gather and enjoy nature, as well as numerous community rooms and a new 4,300 square foot interactive kids’ area. For more information on the Albina Library project, visit their website.

Picture of the school bond program management team at the Albina Library ribbon cutting. — *Left to Right: Judith Moses and Mike Day*

A speaker who took part in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Albina Library. — *The event featured several speakers from the community*

View of people gathered inside the Albina Library during its ribbon cutting ceremony.

People gathered outside the Albina Library entrance during its ribbon cutting ceremony.

Ribbon Cutting Sets Stage for Improved Accessibility to a Rejuvenated St. Helens Waterfront

Redevelopment of the waterfront in downtown St. Helens, Oregon, took a significant step forward with a recent ribbon cutting that opens the area to improved public use and future growth. Members of the community gathered alongside project partners to formally introduce the greater accessibility, functionality and public amenities this work delivers.

This multidisciplinary effort was reflected in the range of Otak leads in attendance including members of our architecture, planning, structural, survey, transportation, and water resources groups.

Group photo of project team leads from the 1st and Strand project along the St. Helens Waterfront. — From left to right: Amanda Owings, Keith Buisman, David Breneman, Mandy Flett

About the Rejuvenated St. Helens Waterfront

In an area that includes several public buildings, like City Hall and the courthouse, the waterfront of downtown St. Helens represented a great opportunity for future growth and expanded public use. After a planning effort led by Otak outlined concept options that include redevelopment of an old mill site, work began on two projects aimed at rejuvenating the area.

The city moved forward with a proposed concept that led to the new riverwalk and its adjacent 1^st and Strand roadway. Review of the recommended plans and concepts included input from the community and potential developers to best position the area for both immediate and future use.

Anchored by a circle turnaround that provides a point of interest along the river, the roadway design of 1^st and Strand improves access for pedestrians and motorists alike. This includes direct connection to the new riverwalk where Otak worked as a subcontractor to Mayer/Reed to create a new public space ready to host a variety of events.

A number of aesthetic and functional improvements were part of the roadway design, from concrete treatments and bulb-outs with planters at intersections, to a new multiuse path and more clearly defined parking. With an eye on the future, an extension of utilities positions the old mill site for shovel-ready development.

[Watch] AIA Oregon Panel on “Paths After Licensure” Hosted at Otak Portland Office

As an aspiring architect, what options are there to pursue after licensure, and how do you reach the point of earning it in the first place? These central questions were explored during a recent panel hosted by the Oregon chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as part of their Emerging Professionals series.

The event—titled, Paths After Licensure—brought together five accomplished architects from across the region to share their journeys, challenges, and insights with a room full of early-career professionals and students.

Panelists

Kate Piper, AIA – Capital Projects Manager at the City of Portland Housing Bureau
Jacob Dunn – Principal & Building Performance Specialist at ZGF Architects
Kaeli Nolte – Adjunct Professor/Firm Owner at PSU and Zone Design Group LLC
Jennie Cambier – Associate VP Campus Planning & Construction at University of Portland
Jerrod Kowalewski, AIA – Project Executive at Andersen Construction

Hosted at the Otak headquarters in downtown Portland, the panel provided young professionals in the architecture field with personal insights on the path toward professional licensure and the many career options that follow. A diverse set of professional backgrounds on the panel touched on topics across the full journey of professional development as an architect, from first interest through lasting ambition.

Including a Q&A with the live audience, the conversation covered several key areas:

Initial interest and first steps
Focus on sustainability and mitigating climate change
Life in the private vs public sector
Participation in academia and internships
The value of mentorship and luck
Intangibles of the field

A full look at the event can be found below.

Four Otak Projects Recognized at the 2025 DJC Oregon Awards

Celebrating their 24^th year, the annual DJC Oregon Awards took place this June, recognizing 53 ‘Top Projects’ from across the Pacific Northwest. Among the honorees were four Otak projects whose improvements to their community ranged from water quality and public facilities to affordable housing.

This year’s recognized work showcased the breadth of our multidisciplinary expertise, with contributions from our architecture, structural, survey, and owner’s representative teams. Learn more about the new additions to our collection of award-winning work and their broad benefits to the region below.

Wecoma Place

For a community displaced by wildfires, Wecoma Place is an affordable housing project that adds 44 residential units to the community of Lincoln City, Oregon. Our architecture team designed the building to emulate the enduring nature of the area’s coastal landscape.

See the Project

Salmon Creek Water Treatment Plant Outfall

After nearly 55 years of service, an outfall to the Columbia River from the Salmon Creek Water Treatment Plant was decommissioned and replaced. The new outfall was designed to cross numerous obstacles including infrastructure, property, and natural barriers. The survey and mapping team utilized a comprehensive set of tools, from traditional ground surveying to UAV aerial photogrammetry and a bathymetric drone to make construction of this essential public asset possible.

See the Project

Multnomah County Holgate Library

As part of a larger bond program, the Multnomah County Holgate Library triples the size of the original facility while also representing the most energy-efficient library ever built in the county. Supporting one of the most culturally diverse areas in the region, extensive public engagement led to a design that reflects those diverse communities through a variety of features including signage, color patterns, and art installations throughout. Our owner’s representative team has led overall program management for the entire $380M program.

See the Project

Lieser Road Bridge Repair

The Leiser Road Overpass crossing State Route 14 in Vancouver had a history of vehicle impacts on the low chord of the bridge girders. After an oversized load hauling a wind turbine struck the overpass causing significant damage, Tapani partnered with Otak’s structural group in working with WSDOT to repair the bridge. That work included replacing one girder, repairing 5 others, and repouring the deck and guardrail over the replaced girder. Otak provided a shipping and lifting analysis for the precast concrete girder, as well as designing temporary shoring for the girder and deck forms.

Craig Recob Joins Otak as Chief Financial Officer

Otak welcomes the leadership of Craig Recob, instituting a client-centered approach that melds people, brainpower, and technology to support big ideas.

We’re happy to announce the addition of Craig Recob as chief financial officer, with an eye on expanding our market presence and building client relationships of the highest quality.

“Craig brings a strong strategic financial lens that will be instrumental as we continue to grow and evolve. His deep experience in scaling operations and guiding organizational finance will help us make smarter, more agile decisions across the board.”

– Scott Dreher, Chief Operations Officer

Craig has more than 30 years of experience across a variety of industries, including the AEC space. On the way to joining Otak, Craig was chief financial officer at Farallon Consulting LLC where he guided the growth of their primarily west-coast based environmental consulting practice. There he was instrumental in building teams, establishing business systems and processes, and growing the firm via acquisition. Prior to that, Craig cut his teeth in the technology sector, holding senior finance positions at Voyager Capital, Intellectual Ventures, Kymeta Corporation, and L4 Digital. It was in these roles that he gained an appreciation and deep interest in entrepreneurial spirit and placing an emphasis on people’s ideas. After leading creative financial solutions at these companies, it’s that same energy that he hopes to bring to the growth of Otak, across its diverse set of markets and revenue streams.

“It’s about plugging into new ideas and melding technology with professional services for more efficient and optimized delivery. I’m excited to bring those worlds together.”

– Craig Recob, Chief Financial Officer

For Craig, it all comes back to the old mantra of being “on-time, on-budget, and within scope.” By melding technology and professional services, he’s excited to find new, creative ways to meet that principle for internal and external stakeholders alike. Being comfortable with taking risks, optimizing business processes, and leveraging tools that deliver data more efficiently to teams in a way that enhances decision-making is all part of his client service mentality. His vision also includes testing different approaches to pricing and project delivery, all in the name of efficiency, client satisfaction, and growth of revenue and operating income.

We look forward to the impact Craig will bring to the organization and our work improving communities.

Otak Recognized with 2025 OAME Professional Technical Company of the Year Award

Image of Jon Yamashita speaking during the 2025 OAME Luncheon and awards event. — *OR & SW WA Regional Director, Jon Yamashita (center), speaking during the 2025 OAME Luncheon.*

The 37^th annual Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME) Trade Show and Luncheon recently took place and included recognition of Otak as Professional Technical Company of the Year. A theme of, “Uniting for Progress, Building for Tomorrow,” accentuated the event. Jon Yamashita, Regional Director for Oregon and SW Washington along with several members of the Otak team were on hand to accept the honor.

“[This award] is given to a distinguished member, partner, friend, or advocate who has made an exceptional contribution to advancing the mission of OAME and supporting our goals within the community.”

– Summer Fowler, Chair of the Board, OAME

This year’s event included a trade show with 133 booths exhibiting small businesses, public agencies, professional services, and educational providers. An estimated 900 attendees were present at the luncheon which featured City of Portland Mayor, Keith Wilson, and a keynote presentation by Secretary of State Tobias Read, with a focus on how we work together to build a stronger more resilient future.

Supporting the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME)

With an overarching mission to promote and develop entrepreneurship and economic development for ethnic minorities in the Pacific Northwest, OAME has operated as a non-profit support system for growing businesses since it was founded in 1987. It’s Professional Technical company of the Year Award aims to recognize, “leadership, dedication, and impact that exemplify the values we champion and the excellence we strive to achieve.” Otak regularly partners with members of the organization in our work in addition to attending various events it holds throughout the year. Each instance represents another opportunity to advance mutual goals aimed at supporting small businesses and delivering completed projects of the highest quality.

In line with our core mission of improving communities, our firm is proud to continue its more than a decade of support for this organization.

Discussing Affordable Housing Solutions at the 2025 Bisnow Portland Multifamily Summit

Image of an affordable housing panel at the 2025 Bisnow Multifamiliy Summit in Portland, Oregon. — *Matt Neish (far right) speaking during a panel on affordable housing solutions at the 2025 Bisnow Multifamily Summit in Portland, OR.*

The 2025 Portland Multifamily and Affordable Housing Summit took place this April, exploring topics ranging from the current state of Portland’s real estate market and capital development to the impact of cost of living relative to rent setting. Otak’s Matt Neish, architecture studio leader, participated in a panel focused on innovative solutions to address the region’s affordable housing needs.

“As always, we’re proud to be at the table, contributing our expertise and working with partners who are not only invested in the future of Portland, but are actively shaping it.”

– Matt Neish, Otak Architecture Studio Leader

A Panel on Housing Supply, Wage Gap, and Development Cost

Matt was joined by a diverse group of voices deeply engaged in this critical sector, including Margaret Salazar (REACH Community Development), Ernesto Fonseca (Hacienda CDC), and Madeline Kovacs (Adre), with moderation by Scott Rosenthal (Stoel Rives). The discussion highlighted the growing disparity between housing supply and the widening wage gap, with panelists pointing to rising vacancy rates as a symptom of income-based rent setting models that are misaligned with actual tenant earning capacity.

Impacts from Income and Cost of Living

Although recent state and local bond measures have helped bring more affordable units online, panelists noted that the persistent vacancy issue is influenced by rents being tied to area median income (AMI). As AMI is impacted by higher earners, rent rates are often inflated beyond what many households can sustainably afford. This is especially true as the cost of living continues to rise faster than wages. As a result, developers are seeing more tenants experiencing missed rent payments despite qualifying for initial income requirements.

Development Challenges and Cost Drivers

Image of part of the Fields Apartments Affordable Housing Project. — *The Fields Apartments Affordable Housing*

The panel also covered the complex funding and regulatory structures of affordable housing projects—which often cost up to 30% more than comparable market-rate developments. Factors contributing to this gap include extensive documentation requirements, prevailing wage and labor standards, and increased capital costs associated with layering multiple funding sources. Developers also face significant financial strain during the pre-development phase, often shouldering substantial upfront costs unless they can secure highly competitive pre-development grants.

Collaborating for Long-Term Solutions

Echoing broader themes at the summit, panelists agreed that addressing the region’s housing challenges—both in terms of affordable rental units and pathways to affordable homeownership—will require a collective, coordinated effort from public, private, and nonprofit sectors alike. Our architecture group continues to work closely with development partners to deliver affordable housing that not only meets critical demand but upholds high standards of design, functionality, and community cohesion.

Overall, the event served as a powerful reminder of both the complexity and urgency of the housing challenges facing our region. From market-rate development to deeply affordable housing, the conversations underscored the need for alignment and sustained collaboration across sectors. Otak remains committed to being part of the solution—leveraging design excellence to help expand access to housing and building more equitable communities across the Portland region.

Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2024

Outlining priorities around making a positive impact on the people and places the organization is involved with, Otak’s 2024 Corporate Social Responsibility Report provides an annual update on our contributions and progress. Altogether, it represents a continuation of a commitment that reflects our core values as a firm and a belief that great design is about more than aesthetics, it’s about shaping the future of communities.

Explore this year’s Corporate Responsibility Report to gain a better understanding of how Otak is not only envisioning a better future, but building it.

Combining Healing, Art, Community Engagement, and Garden Design into a Memorial for the University of Idaho Campus

In a presentation at the 2025 Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Conference, Mandi Roberts, Director of Planning and Landscape Architecture of Otak and an instructor at the University of Idaho presented the “Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial”—a project designed and built by students at the University of Idaho College of Art and Architecture for the campus in Moscow. The submission was co-authored with Dr. Raffaella Sini, Ph.D and Roberto Capecci from the Landscape Architecture Department in the College.

Propelled by the tragic deaths of four UI students in fall of 2022, and with the intent of creating an immersive space on campus that honors all students lost over time, the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial was completed in spring 2024 thanks to donor support.

In developing design solutions during the spring and fall of 2023, students and faculty conducted listening sessions with family members and friends of victims and facilitated a broader campus-wide/community-wide design charrette to maximize participatory practices with the idea that it would best serve the healing process. Through collaborative studio work, the students evaluated case studies, conducted research and completed site analyses, conceptual design alternatives, and interactive artwork among a variety of other project considerations. The collaboration included vertical landscape architecture studios and the Idaho Design Build Studio, led by Scott Lawrence, Associate Professor of Architecture at the College.

Traditionally, memorials tend to punctuate the landscape and range from statuary to spatially complex sculptural works, installations, or memorial ephemera. The Healing Garden and Memorial for University of Idaho puts forward the idea of creating memorials as immersive, healing spaces, and exploring the design process as a participatory healing process.

“Creating design solutions for this project included study of the evolving cultural and social practices of mourning, memory, and public feeling, and served as a testimony to how grief is mediated in contemporary commemorative cultures.”

– Dr. Raffaella Sini, Ph.D, Department Head for the Landscape Architecture Program, College of Art and Architecture, University of Idaho

“The design process itself became a healing process—collective healing facilitated through inclusive, community-driven methods. We were able to learn about what healing and memorializing means, find ways to honor and remember those we have lost, and collaborate to create a beautiful and graceful place for reflection and healing on campus.”

– Mandi Roberts, Director of Planning & Landscape Architecture at Otak, Inc. and Landscape Architecture Instructor at the University of Idaho

View of the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial during the day.

Two images of the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial at the University of Idaho.

What is the CELA Annual Conference?

With representation from more than 100 institutions, CELA consists of individuals who have an interest in the preparation of landscape architects for global practice. Their stated purpose is “to further education in landscape architecture specifically related to teaching.”

This year’s conference, titled ‘Processes + Impacts’, focused specifically on critically examining the positive and negative impacts of landscape architecture work on people and environments.

Sharing a Unique Urban Wetland Enhancement at the 2025 Urban Ecology and Conservation Symposium

With the mission of advancing the science around urban ecosystems, the 23^rd Annual Urban Ecology and Conservation Symposium took place featuring a presentation detailing work on the Springwater Wetlands Restoration project. Project lead, Rose Horton, presented alongside the client, Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) and the City of Portland, to discuss the variety of ways improvements to this watershed are designed to improve the local habitat and surrounding community.

“At a really well attended conference, it was great to be part of all the wildlife research and knowledge that was shared… it’s important to show how restoring wetlands also protects people with solutions like naturally improving flood storage.”

– Rose Horton, PE|Team Leader, WNR

What is the Urban Ecology and Conservation Symposium?

The event is hosted by the Urban Ecosystem Research Consortium (UERC) of Portland/Vancouver and was held at Portland State University. Made up of members from educational institutions, state agencies, local governments, and non-profits, the UERC offers professionals opportunities to gather and share knowledge about urban ecology. Several speakers across a range of organizations gave presentations to share knowledge and ecological data with a focus on building communities in the region.

Insights from the Springwater Wetlands Restoration

Among the presentations given on ‘Restoration and Monitoring’ at the 2025 UERC was a unique, 70-acre urban wetland enhancement project that aimed to address decades of attempts to reduce flooding in the Portland area. Johnson Creek is one of the few free-flowing streams in Portland and has a long history of nuisance and catastrophic flooding. The restoration of the Springwater Wetlands focused on reducing that flooding while also enhancing habitat and improving community amenities for the city.

Co-presenting with client representatives, Rose detailed how this restoration work removed non-native fill and improved flood storage to protect neighborhoods from Johnson Creek and advance the city’s goals. This work also added more connections to the Johnson Creek trail system, including educational signs and site features made from WPA rock that connect the area’s history with its natural environment.