How Comprehensive Planning and Climate Co-Benefits are Creating Community Resilience

Posted on July 2, 2025July 2, 2025 by Otak Staff

Positioning a community for long-term success is a planning effort that requires vision into the past, present, and future. Development around community goals often takes shape in the comprehensive planning process, but today this ever-evolving discipline faces increasingly complex challenges.

From the air to water and soil, the impacts of climate change are putting environmental factors at the forefront of long-range planning with the overarching need to create community resilience. As science and extreme weather events continue to paint a clearer picture of the specific hazards facing communities across different geographies, accounting for these variables becomes an increasingly essential element of the comprehensive planning process. In fact, for many planners today it’s not only essential, but mandatory. A growing number of states now have legislation in place – as well as significant sources of funding – that requires the inclusion of measures to address climate change in long-range plans.

In this piece, we’ll discuss how the comprehensive planning process is evolving to emphasize interconnected systems of resilience. From climate co-benefits centered on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, to improving socio-economic standing of residents, these emerging efforts are becoming a vital component to the future well-being of our communities.

Read on, or skip ahead below:

What is Comprehensive Planning?
Environmental Systems of Resilience
Housing, Transportation, and Energy Systems of Resilience
Creating Stronger Communities Through the Comprehensive Planning Process
Putting it all Together: A Multidisciplinary Approach

What is Comprehensive Planning?

Comprehensive planning is the process of creating documentation that guides decision-making around a variety of topics (i.e. land use, transportation, parks, housing, environment, employment etc.) for the direction of communities years into the future.

Communities often sharpen the focus of their overall vision through subarea plans aimed at covering specific parts of a city. These mini-comprehensive plans focus on the unique goals of a particular district, neighborhood, corridor, or other more targeted area of the broader community.

The Comprehensive Planning Co-Benefits Landscape

While impacts vary from one region to another, the fact of the matter is, no community is unaffected by climate. From flooding in coastal areas to extreme weather events on the mainland, growing trends with the environment have confirmed the importance of limiting human contribution to those changes while also making communities more resilient against their effects. It’s through this lens of resilience planning that co-benefits between different interconnected systems are found to maximize social, economic, and environmental factors collectively.

An infographic showing different common elements of comprehensive planning within a cityscape.

Resilience Planning Terminology

Types of Community Assets

At the heart of resilience planning is the recognition of community assets – both tangible and intangible – and how they relate to potential hazards. The co-benefits of this process often are found in goals such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions or restoring watersheds, all to benefit the common needs of humans and habitats alike.

Environmental Systems of Resilience

At this point, any approach toward sustainability and resilience in development relies on an understanding of the connection between systems in the built environment and natural environment. Efforts to mitigate impact or restore natural systems are planned to include co-benefits to community infrastructure.

Implementation projects that result from the comprehensive planning process can go a long way toward ensuring better preserved natural systems lead to more resilient communities.

Mitigating Impacts to Water, Air, and Soil

Many of the most vital elements found in nature are equally vital to our communities. From direct impacts like mitigating floods and wildfires to passive ones such as water and air quality, the co-benefits of resilience connect our communities to their broader ecosystems to reduce risk and enhance public health.

*A Unique Water Quality Facility that Utilizes Bioretention for Polluted Stormwater Runoff in Redmond, WA.*

Designed and constructed improvements to Redmond's stormwater trunk — *A Stormwater Trunk Extension Improves Water Quality and Erosion Control in Redmond, WA.*

Wildfires

In many areas of the United States, one of the most pressing hazards is wildfire. Considering physical loss to impacts on insurability and other economic effects, their toll on a community can be swift, widespread, and long lasting. What’s more is these events can cause a domino effect of natural disasters.

The scorched land and destroyed vegetation left behind by a wildfire will often lead to erosion of soil and increased runoff from stormwater. Excess water and sediment can have extreme impacts on water quality, transportation infrastructure (culverts, bridges etc.), and other community assets for years after a fire has been put out.

While strides have been made in fighting wildfires, the best approach remains in resilience planning designed to limit their impact before they start in the first place. Methods like identifying watersheds that are at risk and encouraging their preservation and restoration puts communities in a better position to avoid the variety of ways wildfire leads to loss.

Flooding and Sedimentation

Similar to the relationship between wildfires and watersheds, the role of healthy vegetation can play a large role in a community’s water quality and flooding. As a stormwater measure, native planting can have the added utility of accounting for added impervious surfaces, providing natural bioretention.

By limiting erosion through healthy root systems, native plantings are an essential element of any shoreline. In other types of environments, preserving soil also reduces the potential for debris flow or rock/mud slides that can cause a high amount of damage to property and loss of life.

Healthy habitats that include native plantings are also commonly used in planning efforts for parks and community spaces. Native plants are healthy food sources for local wildlife and because they’re adapted to the surrounding climate, they often require less water and maintenance, conserving an area’s resources efficiently. They also add to the culture, education, and development of public spaces by encouraging a community to learn about and embrace the natural heritage of their region

Housing, Transportation, and Energy Systems of Resilience

Just as environmental factors impact community infrastructure, the reverse is also true. It’s no secret that transportation contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and that development can negatively impact ecosystems. It’s also important to recognize that disparities in impacted communities exist and planning around environmental justice is an opportunity to increase social justice.

Seatac Comprehensive Planning

See the Project

Take a closer look at how an updated comprehensive plan for the City of SeaTac sets the stage for decades of key growth strategies while utilizing GIS data to account for social, economic, and environmental factors in the community.

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When looking at issues individually, it can be difficult to find satisfying solutions, but when problems are viewed wholistically through the lens of resilience, the ability to influence positive outcomes becomes clearer.

Green House Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction

A primary factor in resilience planning is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The focus on reducing vehicle miles driven and setting reduction targets is central to much of the regulation in Oregon and Washington state.

Planning that emphasizes transit-oriented development and active transportation not only works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also can lead to more vibrant, healthier communities. A comprehensive plan can also include a look at industrial processes or emissions that come from city operations in order to lower an area’s carbon footprint.

Housing Density and Affordability

Across the country, many urban areas face challenges associated with affordable housing. With obvious economic implications, the ability to increase not only the supply but the density of housing is an effort to improve community resilience as well as upward mobility.

Within the comprehensive planning process, updates that allow for higher density housing or more flexible housing types can be made to the city code. Middle housing, or the in-between housing of detached single family and large multifamily complexes, is one avenue for flexible housing that maintains the character of a neighborhood. Ultimately, the goal for planners is to give people affordable housing options for the different stages of life that exist in any given community for the benefit of all.

Continuity in Operations and Utilities

In many areas of the country, communities are now familiar with “flex events” or “rolling blackouts” aimed at reducing energy consumption when there is high demand being met by strained energy infrastructure. As shifts in climate produce more frequent extreme temperatures–both hot and cold–planning efforts should consider how to make this process more efficient for communities while also considering improvements to energy grids that are more adaptable to these changing conditions.

Creating Stronger Communities through the Comprehensive Planning Process

In the context of comprehensive planning, resilience planning adds an additional layer of foresight focused on the interconnected systems of community, climate, and the natural environment. To truly prepare communities for a wide range of possible outcomes, resilience planning requires planners and stakeholders to not only consider current conditions and future growth, but also to anticipate and plan for a range of possible scenarios exacerbated by climate change and environmental degradation.

To encourage – and in some cases, mandate – this proactive approach, states such as Washington, Colorado, and Oregon have incorporated new planning requirements for local governments to address climate through comprehensive plans. At the same time, it has also opened the door to related grant funding and technical assistance for community leaders to implement impactful initiatives by injecting resilience into each step of the comprehensive planning process.

South Town Center Subarea Plan

See the Project

Take a closer look at how the unique goals of this vital corridor are outlined in it’s future development as part of the comprehensive planning process and in alignment with Washington’s Growth Management Act.

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Understanding Risks and Opportunities Through Meaningful Community Engagement

Community engagement and collaboration is an essential component of any planning process and takes on added importance when preparing for climate change and impacts to vulnerable communities. The process should bring in all voices of a community, particularly underserved ones and those that are most vulnerable to shocks and stressors. By involving a variety of groups, including tribal consultation, a more complete view of relevant factors is brought to the table while building consensus around goals.

An existing conditions analysis, including collecting data, understanding a wide range of community experiences, and identifying resources and assets available to mitigate impacts is a vital part of engaging the community toward a meaningful direction. A variety of engagement opportunities, from a booth at a popular event to interactive virtual open houses can provide a forum for gathering this information and beginning the public engagement process.

As planners work with elected officials and planning commissions to begin applying direction to specific projects and policy, findings from community engagement continue to help confirm and refine goals. Communication of community priorities gathered through public engagement is vital to creating this roadmap for future success.

*An outdoor community engagement event* in Vancouver, WA.

*Plans for Austin Park* Playground displayed for the community.

*A planning session with community stakeholders in Vancouver, WA.*

*Meeting with community leadership in developing plans in Vancouver, WA.*

Assessing Current Conditions, Hazards, and Community Assets

Mapping existing conditions (zoning, environmental conditions, population, traffic, property market, job market etc.) and community assets can reveal connections between individual factors, as well as larger systems in the area.

Examining these assets includes not only physical infrastructure but also social capital, cultural resources, and natural ecosystems. This includes identifying hazards (also known as shocks and stressors), such as hurricanes or wildfires, as well as chronic stressors like sea-level rise or economic inequality.

Shocks: Generally short-duration, rapid-onset or acute events that cause a disruption to normal life. (i.e. hurricane, wildfire, earthquake, flood etc.)
Stressors: Chronic, slow-onset or longer-term conditions that weaken a community over time and can impact community functions and well-being. (i.e. affordable housing, loss of habitat, air quality etc.)

“Futures” as a Plural in Outlining Desired Conditions

The comprehensive planning process often answers, “where do you want to be in 20 years, and how do you get there?” To develop strategies to adapt and thrive in the face of uncertainty involves envisioning future scenarios and understanding potential outcomes in more vivid detail than might be illustrated by a simple trendline or series of “high, medium, and low” projections.

Because future conditions are largely based on assumptions with certain metrics, there are a couple different ways to approach scenario development. Often, planning process participants are asked to choose between a variety of predetermined options for projects. An alternative to this approach involves preparing for several different pathways for development in order to respond to how future conditions evolve in reality, rather than a single expected outcome. This adaptable approach is especially important for resilience planning when considering factors such as how water levels might rise or where certain economic indicators will trend.

Bear Creek Greenway Corridor Revisioning

See the Project

Take a closer look at how extensive community engagement for multiple jurisdictions throughout a corridor formed a unified area action plan following widespread damage from the largest wildfire in Oregon state history.

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Whether it’s through innovative land use planning, investment in green infrastructure, or promoting sustainable transportation options, creating a roadmap for a more resilient future requires consideration of a range of interconnected community systems. Through the planning process, these systems and are aligned with a breadth of possible outcomes to design flexible, adaptive policies that are resilient to changing conditions.

Environmental Systems: Preserving ecosystems and natural resources to benefit community health.
Community and Social Systems: Supporting strong group structures and equitable government and social services.
Infrastructure Systems: Planning the built environment alongside natural systems to improve community functions.
Economic Systems: Improving access to opportunity and financial security.
Housing Systems: Developing access to shelter and strong surrounding community.

Developing Policy and Mapping Outcomes

Eventually, turning a planning vision into reality requires action. Implementing a comprehensive plan and co-benefits involves a mix of policy changes, infrastructure investments, and continued community engagement efforts.

At this stage, plans need to be double checked against state mandates, such as Washington’s Growth Management Act, while also translating overarching regulation to local jurisdictions. Those outcomes can then be adopted in the form of law by city councils or county commissions and funding options that will turn those plans into a reality can be explored.

Example State Legislation

Growth Management Act (Washington)

The resilience sub-element must include goals and polices to improve climate preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. This is mandatory for all counties and cities fully planning under the GMA and encouraged for others. As part of this, the greenhouse gas emissions sub-element requires goals and policies to reduce emissions and vehicle miles traveled.

Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities (Oregon)

The Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities Program aims to reduce climate pollution, provide more transportation and housing choices, and promote more equitable land use planning outcomes.

Strong Communities Grant Program (Colorado)

Intended to incentivize the adoption of transformational practices, programs, and policies that support sustainable development patterns and affordable housing into the future. This program will help communities align policies and regulations to focus on resilience around primarily housing and transportation.

Fortunately, there is growing support and funding available for resilience projects, with grants and other resources becoming increasingly accessible to communities committed to building a more resilient future. By aligning with state mandates and leveraging available resources, communities can turn their resilience plans into actionable projects that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Putting it All Together: A Multidisciplinary Planning Approach

In an era of unprecedented challenges, resilience planning offers a path forward for communities seeking to build a more sustainable, equitable, and adaptive future. Collaborative by nature, this effort benefits from the expertise of a number of practices focused on building improved communities.

By integrating resilience principles into the comprehensive planning process, communities can better prepare for and respond to the complex threats of the 21st century, ensuring a safer, more prosperous future for generations to come.

See More Planning Work

A Coffee with… Otak’s School Bond Management Team

Posted on June 26, 2025July 3, 2025 by Otak Staff

With many disciplines working together on a variety of projects, perhaps the best way to get a feel for a firm’s impact is simply, a coffee with… the people doing the work.

This video series features experts sharing insights gained during their time in the AEC industry, with an emphasis on the importance of collaboration to meet a common goal of creating improved communities.

In this edition, we sit down with leaders of our owner’s representative group that specialize in school bond management to hear how their work maximizes taxpayer dollars to benefit students, educators, and the surrounding community alike.

Discover more in the video and check out the transcript below:

Shaun: You know, each, each project I’ve been on… it takes a team. It definitely takes a village to do a school project of any size… that’s what we’re here for.

Bob: I am Bob Collins. I’ve work with, I’m a client services manager and I manage K-12 Bond project.

Sarah: I’m Sarah Oaks. I’m the director of project and construction Management here at Otak.

Shaun: I’m Sean Stuhldryer. I’m a program manager at Otak and I manage K-12 bond programs.

Brian: I’m Brian Hardebeck. I’m a client services manager here at Otak, and primarily in the K-12 and higher education market sector.

What is a school bond and how do they work?

0:48 [Skip to this chapter]

Bob: Many people don’t realize that, particularly in Oregon, school districts to do any kind of major capital construction need to raise money through a bond.

It doesn’t come from the state funding that they normally get for day to day expenses. And so a bond program captures major capital improvements, investments, and renovations.

Shaun: Every bond is different. Some bonds are one school and some bonds are 30 schools. In general, the more projects you would have then I would say the more phases or waves you need to have, because it’s really not practical to be working on every school at the exact same time.

Brian: What we do is it’s all for the kids. That’s what we’re here for, to improve their environment and allow the educators and the district leadership to concentrate on what they do best, educate and let us set that heavy lift for them.

Sarah: A lot of schools have facility staff and oftentimes they can do project management, but as you said, they have, you know, day jobs that they’ve gotta keep up with kind of a heavy workload.

And so whether it’s for just that period of time where the bond is in passage, or if there’s a particular complexity that maybe those facility folks don’t have experience with, I think that’s where we have a real value add, to kind of come alongside whatever resources the district has.

How do you responsibly manage public funds?

2:13 [Skip to this chapter]

Bob: A lot of our service can start in pre-bond management, assisting the client and really understanding what their needs are.

Working alongside with an architecture or design team to do some pre-bond and public engagement with the voters to help the district assure they’ll have a good, strong message out there, and that the voters have the public engagement that they need to understand what they’re gonna pay for.

Shaun: Oftentimes I’ll work with school districts to develop their district standards, and district standards, help design teams meet the needs and the priorities of the district.

You know, so you don’t overshoot in what you build frequently. We’ll identify tiers of priorities. Those are a few ways that we just return the best investment back on the taxpayer money.

Brian: One Of our major roles is the, uh, master communicator and facilitators to the district and to the voters.

We take on a sometimes very public, outward facing view for the client to really actively listen to them, take their feedback, and communicate that to the district. Help them facilitate the decision making process that includes voter input into the prioritization of projects, but also encompass the, “what’s in it for me,” question from the voter.

Bob: I think that one of our biggest roles is we are identifying risk to the project and then communicating to them. And in doing so, that I think develops trust with all those folks.

Sarah: You know, other things we do, I think particularly with engagement is making sure that districts have a citizens oversight committee set up too, to kind of put eyes and ears on the process.

How do you cater to specific school district needs?

4:08 [Skip to this chapter]

Shaun: I’ve worked with clients with, you know, acquiring properties, dealing with entitlements, dealing with development codes.

One interesting thing about, I think, in our business is every project is unique. It’s always a new team, new entities or people coming together for the first time.

Bob: One of the things we found very important to help develop a team from the beginning before there is really a team is chartering. Putting that out there so that there really is expectation setting from the get-go at the highest level.

So, there’s an opportunity to try to have members on your team that you feel have the same vision and passion about doing the work. And then again, being transparent, always in communication, you can’t communicate enough.

Sarah: You cannot overstate the importance of communication. I think a fundamental agreement for that is, is trust.

And I’m glad you mentioned chartering. I mean, that’s such an important thing to kind of get up everyone’s different goals on the table and figure out how those are gonna get woven together.

Brian: I think for me, uh, being a coastal region client service manager, I think one thing that I’m involved with more than probably inland groups is coastal resiliency and how to deal with rising, rising water levels.

Earthquake preparedness and resiliency for post-incident occupation of the new school or a school building or a public facility in this case. Where is it located? That all plays into the planning involved in a bond program for coastal districts, coastal clients.

Shaun: You know, a lot of school districts maybe they pass a bond every 10 years or, you know, every 20 years. Maybe it’s more often every five years. But, you know, the bond runs its course and then the school district’s not in the business of building things, they’re in the business of education. But we’re out serving other school districts and staying sharp, keeping up with technology and changes.

Sarah: I would like to say that we’re experts in uncertainty, right? Of figuring out how we’re gonna face it, how we’re gonna bring a team through it, how we’re gonna make decisions to come out on the other side of it.

So oftentimes we’re building spaces where, you know, they aren’t able to teach that because they don’t have space for it yet. And so sometimes it’s coming alongside educators as they’re putting together curriculum and we’re designing the space at the same time.

And so, I think it’s really figuring out not just how to build a building, but how to build a building to be used immediately and then for generations. You know, that I think is something you have to, you have to really have a good crystal ball, or yeah, a good sense of it.

What do you find rewarding about school bond work?

6:54 [Skip to this chapter]

Brian: This industry’s very personal to me. I’m a product of a career and technical education class (CTE) in high school.

I just recently worked for a bond client, rural client on the Oregon coast. We saw the need to expand their career and technical education offerings, built a new CTE laboratory building for them. And I think at the end of that, we used the building as an educational process.

The kids that were already in their CTE programs had an exploratory program to bring in kids that really hadn’t thought of what their careers are going to be. They hadn’t figured out their “why” yet. But something caught ’em. And to see that engagement from the students and something that lit up their “why” was fascinating to me. And it was, it was great to see.

Sarah: I think one of the most gratifying moments that I’ve had just in this particular line of work is… so I’ve had an opportunity to work and participate in ACE Mentors, which is an after school program for high school students that are looking to explore careers in architecture, engineering, and construction.

I’ve now been in this field long enough that some of these students actually had gone through programs at a school that I worked on and had caught the bug, got interested in this line of work because they were able to work in one of the construction labs or in the STEM space of this school that hadn’t existed before we worked on this project.

And so it was very cool just that they are now getting exposed to different hands-on, project-based learning opportunities, career paths that are now kind of bringing them into this, in this industry.

So that felt very full circle for me and just very, very exciting just to hear how much they were enjoying those spaces. I really appreciated that.

Bob: Along the lines of what Sarah mentioned, managing teams of other Otak project managers and seeing their growth, that’s been a lot of fun.

We were asked to build essentially four schools and get ’em all done at the same substantial completion time, and everybody in the industry said, that’s ridiculous. No way that could really be done.

We did get it done on time and under budget, we had money left. So that was a really big, feather in my cap.

Shaun: Something really rewarding for me is opening up an elementary school. And it’s almost because you’ve got this community ready to go to come together, and that’s always just really rewarding to watch that happen.

We opened a school, RA Morrow Kennedy Elementary School in Clackamas County, a while back and I just was really fortunate with a fantastic team.

I mean, well under budget, ahead of schedule. Everything was ready when they wanted to move in in the summer and people were exuberant. It just felt like there was a, there was something in the air where everything came together. You could just see this community developing. That was just a really cool moment for me.

Brian: The school building needs to be more than just a school building. It needs to be a community asset. It’s a community center. It is all for the kids, but it’s also for the community.

See Our Owner’s Rep Work

Accelerating Data Center Deployment: How Time to Market is Being Redefined in a Remote World

Posted on May 29, 2025June 10, 2025 by Otak Staff

It’s no secret that artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data-driven technologies are increasingly prevalent across many aspects of daily life. But what’s going on behind the scenes to make it happen? Along with the rapid rise of the AI industry has come demand for data centers and mission critical facilities. In fact, the need for infrastructure to support this exponential growth is so great that any reduction in the planning, design, and construction timelines for these facilities presents massive value.

Infographic showing efficiencies in data center deployment from a remote management team.

As data center demand grows, it coincides with another rising area in remote work. Remote work, in some form or another, has become commonplace in today’s workplace. This dynamic has found a greater foothold in some industries more than others, and in many cases the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) field has been slower to adapt. While some project tasks naturally require ‘boots on the ground’, one group within our owner’s representative team has strategically designed itself with a remote model to find efficiencies in project management processes.

In this blog, we’ll discuss how today’s tools of remote work are being utilized to accelerate data center deployment and meet their growing demand. Read on or skip ahead:

Consolidating Teams with Continuity
Maximizing Schedules Across Geographies
Building a High Performance Remote Environment

Quote from Mike Scott on the efficiencies of a remote project management team on data center projects.

Consolidating Teams with Client Continuity

Launching a new data center involves many logistical and administrative steps across each phase of development. Even before work begins, this process typically involves identifying a site and building a project team which then travels to the site to complete onboarding and safety training. This project activation phase alone can last anywhere from two to six weeks, taking time from the start of design and construction.

A lengthy onboarding period is compounded when managing across multiple sites—as data centers often are—with the cycle needing to be repeated for each location. As locations and stakeholders spread, it also increases the potential for misalignment in a client’s processes and procedures.

Quote from Jennifer Bouda on the efficiencies of a remote project management team on data center projects.

A remote team structure bypasses these bottlenecks. Because project managers are operating remotely, they can administer 7 to 9 projects at once without the need for repeated steps. This means projects can be activated across sites almost immediately and in tandem. And because this approach consolidates the project team, there is greater continuity across project phases and sites, reducing risk and costs for clients.

Maximizing Schedules and Timelines Across Geographies

One of the challenges to faster data center deployment exists in the inherent inefficiencies that can come with operating across multiple time zones. By strategically distributing project stakeholders across geographies, a remote team helps reduce delays that come with waiting for centralized teams to mobilize or coordinate across time zones. This deliberate approach enables the team to support clients from coast to coast with flexible schedules that cater to where work is being done.

As East Coast projects get underway, a remote project manager can stagger their schedule—joining key meetings in the morning and shifting to administrative tasks once activity winds down in that time zone. Smart scheduling tools, centralized collaboration platforms, and real-time communication systems further support this model, allowing multiple stakeholders to work in sync across locations.

Quote from Renee Rhiner on the efficiencies of a remote project management team on data center projects. — *Reach Out to Team Lead Renee to Learn More*

The result is a remote, regionally integrated approach that ensures core team members remain engaged across phases and locations, accelerating schedules and compressing timelines across the complete data center project lifecycle.

Building a High-Performance Remote Environment

With work spanning more than three countries and twenty metros, the Otak mission critical team is harnessing the power of a remote-first model. Their success has come not only from the digital tools they utilize, but also the partnerships and team-building strategies they’ve implemented. By intentionally cultivating a strong team culture, the group is able to operate as a cohesive unit while maintaining the flexibility to support projects coast to coast.

In parallel to their own approach, the team has cultivated strong partnerships with architecture and engineering firms that also operate with a remote-first mindset. These collaborators share our emphasis on streamlined delivery and flexible engagement. Rather than embedding full teams onsite for extended durations, they use focused field walks at key milestones to ensure critical design and construction checkpoints are met.

Quote from Tracy Goodman on the efficiencies of a remote project management team on data center projects.

To keep the remote team feeling connected, our mission critical group has also taken numerous steps to stay close-knit and collaborative. Regular team building exercises—both digitally and in person—are built into their schedules. The CliftonStrengths Assessment is another important tool the team utilizes for deeper communication and understanding, as it provides specific insights into individual and group strengths and communication styles.

By eliminating traditional roadblocks, consolidating project oversight, and building a distributed culture rooted in technology and individual strengths, Otak’s mission critical team is demonstrating a blueprint for how remote teams can not only match but elevate data center deployment.

Learn More About Our Mission Critical Work

A Different Kind of Project: Building Future AEC Professionals with CU Boulder

Posted on April 30, 2025June 10, 2025 by Otak Staff

A common thread within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry exists in creating lasting impact. While this theme naturally applies to work that aims to improve lives in communities from one generation to the next, it’s also about preparing the next generation of professionals to continue that work.

At the University of Colorado, Boulder, the CVEN 4899 Senior Design course takes a different approach to building future AEC professionals by giving students a real-world example project to put their knowledge into practice. The project is part of Otak’s work on South Boulder Creek and several leaders from the multidisciplinary expertise involved participated in the classroom and in the field. Their hope was to lend their perspective as mentors to advancing an educational system where a focus on technical knowledge often doesn’t include the value of practical experience.

Quote from Matt Morris about the CU Boulder Capstone project.

Understanding how complex projects go from concept to completion involves familiarity with nuanced aspects of decision making in each phase, including stakeholder engagement, technical design, constructability, budgeting, and interdisciplinary coordination. This course helps balance the gap between hard and soft skills in the complete design and construction process, equipping students with a well-rounded start toward successful careers in the industry.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the details of this unique capstone project and the information presented to guide it across four distinct elements. Read on or skip ahead:

The Project – A Stream, Two Structures, and the Solutions of Multidisciplinary Work
Assessing Water Resources and Environmental Conditions
Making Context-Sensitive Structural Design Decisions
Building High-Performing Teams with Balanced Skills
Considering Constructability and Managing a Project to Completion
Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and Career

Students of the CU Boulder Capstone project gathered at the project site.

Image of Chris Romeyn presenting in the classroom for the CU Boulder Capstone project.

The Project – A Stream, Two Structures, and the Solutions of Multidisciplinary Work

In the backyard of CU Boulder’s campus is a nine-mile stretch of South Boulder Creek that extends from Eldorado Canyon to its confluence with Boulder Creek. It represents one of several stream sites identified for improvement by Boulder Flycasters (a local chapter of Trout Unlimited) after multiple studies in the area. The subsequent Stream Management Plan recommended the modification or replacement of multiple structures while the City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks Department aimed to improve the functionality of all water crossings across their trail network in the area.

The collective goals of a hypothetical client, The South Boulder Creek Alliance, took shape in a request for proposal (RFP) that combines two projects near the South Mesa Trailhead. One focuses on modifying or replacing the Davidson Diversion structure, and the second on the pedestrian access bridge crossing South Boulder Creek as part of the Mesa Trail.

Aerial view of the project site for the CU Boulder Capstone Project, including the two structures.

Through this course, students were asked to develop hypothetical proposals for this real-world project. In developing their designs for each element, they were challenged to balance stakeholder needs, reduce costs through innovative materials and construction methods, and minimize impacts to the environment and public—both during construction and in the long term. Several presentations from industry professionals would guide them along the way, all with a focus on sustainability and resiliency considerations.

Assessing Water Resources and Environmental Conditions

Understanding water resources is an essential component to civil engineering, which of course is accentuated when a stream is involved. It’s a concept very familiar to Tracy Emmanuel, a geomorphologist and team lead for environmental as well as water and natural resources work at Otak, who—alongside colleagues Chris Romeyn and Maddie McNamee—brought expertise to this course in the classroom and the field. While Chris and Maddie led a tutorial on hydraulic modeling, Tracy guided students through her team’s approach to water-related aspects of projects with an emphasis on the types of questions they ask in the project process to uncover the right design solutions—rather than simply providing the answers.

Quote from Tracy Emmanuel about her involvement with the CU Boulder Capstone project.

Using this information, students examined the project area’s floodplain and how the flow of the stream impacts the design in a number of key ways:

Determining watershed hydrology and waterway flows as they relate to water rights, fish passage, and with consideration of an expansion project of the upstream Gross Reservoir Dam
Examining a floodplain assessment of impacts to 100-year and 500-year floodplain boundaries in relation to those published by FEMA and local agencies
Completing hydraulic analysis to determine placement and impact of both the diversion structure and potential bridge crossing.
Determining scour from a 500-year storm event and channel erosion protection for the structures

These areas not only enhanced the students’ understanding of water resources engineering but also underlined the importance of designing for the long-term ecological health of the area and maximizing its value to the surrounding community.

Making Context-Sensitive Structural Design Decisions

Structural design is about more than just crunching numbers—it’s about understanding how context, constraints, and client priorities shape a project. David Graff, a structural engineer at Otak, provided students a window into better understanding the how that surrounding context impacts the structural design process, while remaining rooted in real-world conditions.

Quote from David Graff about his involvement with the CU Boulder Capstone project.

David emphasized that before even beginning detailed calculations, engineers must make critical decisions about structure type, channel impact, materials, constructability, and aesthetic expectations. He also highlighted the importance of asking the right questions—What problems is the client trying to solve? What’s the budget? Are there successful precedent projects to draw from?

To demonstrate this process, he shared the structure alignment selection process behind the 19th Street Pedestrian Bridge, which exists right on CU Boulder’s campus. He used the project as an example familiar to these students, illustrating how thoughtful engineering, paired with client engagement and project constraint understanding, leads to a successful and unique design solution.

These insights aimed to aid the students as they worked through the structural and geotechnical aspects of the project:

Describing existing site conditions, including subsurface conditions and soil profiles
Determining if any elements of existing structures can be reused in the final condition
Evaluating the pros and cons of different structural materials and systems for the pedestrian bridge design
Considering preventative maintenance for the structures and those associated future costs

The opportunity to navigate working with multiple disciplines and stakeholders gave students a fuller understanding of the structural design process and the high-level decisions that come with it.

University of Colorado Varsity Pond Bridge and Dam Improvements

See the Project

Take a closer look at how a historic landmark is rehabilitated to ensure its structural integrity and access to the campus community for generations to come.

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Building High-Performing Teams with Balanced Skills

Technical expertise is essential, but the ability to work well with others and communicate effectively is also critical to a project’s success. Henry Alaman, Otak’s Colorado Regional Director and a member of the owner’s representative team, shared with students the importance of balancing technical skills with the soft skills that aren’t always covered in traditional engineering coursework.

Quote from Henry Alaman about his involvement with the CU Boulder Capstone project.

Henry spoke about how interpersonal skills influence both the pursuit of projects and their ultimate success. From team collaboration to community engagement, the ability to build relationships and gain buy-in from stakeholders can be an essential piece of the project process.

To reinforce the importance of collaboration, and communication, Henry led an interactive team-building exercise that encouraged students to break down barriers and avoid the siloed thinking that can hinder progress in interdisciplinary teams.

Considering Constructability and Managing a Project to Completion

The best design in the world won’t matter if it can’t be built efficiently. That was central theme from Patrick Pease, a leader in Otak’s construction management group, who presented the practical realities of turning design concepts into built environments.

Patrick walked students through the various steps in the construction process—from initial planning to regular coordination with owners, municipalities, and contractors. He stressed the construction phase being where most major cost fluctuations occur, making coordination crucial to maximizing project value. Proactive communication is one key to avoiding these issues by resolving disputes quickly, maintaining schedules, and keeping projects on budget. To drive this point, Patrick shared two real-world examples that showed opposing results. One—CO7 and SH119—was executed efficiently due to strong stakeholder coordination and planning. The other experienced delays and cost overruns due to poor coordination and lack of clarity between parties.

Quote from Patrick Pease about his involvement with the CU Boulder Capstone project.

With the aim of ensuring their designs could be completed, the students’ proposals included various aspects of project constructability:

Creating a list of stakeholders, including their role and involvement, who need to be involved during active construction
Providing strategies for avoiding public interruptions as well as any needed closures or detours to the trail system
Mitigating risk and impact to the environment, including fish spawning in the area
Creating a detailed cost estimate along with a design and construction schedule with phasing plans

A close look at the construction phase helped students understand how critical it is to build strong working relationships early and sustain them throughout a project’s lifecycle.

Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and Career

By simulating a true design-build environment, the CVEN 4899 Senior Design course gives students invaluable experience beyond textbooks. Otak is honored to support these future AEC professionals with a first-hand look at the full project process from a multidisciplinary environment.

As a firm committed to the professional development of our people and the improvement of our communities, we see investing in the next generation not just as mentorship but central to our mission.

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Roadway Engineering: Creating Community Connections

Posted on March 27, 2025June 10, 2025 by Otak Staff

A cornerstone of any growing community is its connectivity. Roadway engineering provides more than just conduits for cars; it forms the framework for mobility in a community that leverages a variety of modes of transportation.

Infographic showing three types of roadway and some benefits they provide to community connectivity.

A well-designed transportation network featuring different types of roadways can have widespread impact on economic development and individual wellness. This includes improvements that ensure all areas—especially underserved populations—have access to jobs, essential services, and amenities as well as healthier lifestyles through reductions in emissions and the promotion of active transportation. In this blog we discuss how roadway designs exist at the intersection of planning and transportation engineering to support the growth of healthier, more sustainable communities.

Read on, or skip ahead:

Key Roadway Considerations
Types of Roadway

Neighborhood Streets

Mid-Size Collectors and Corridors

Large Arterials and Highways

What is Roadway Engineering and Its Importance?

Roadway engineering is the planning, design, and construction of transportation infrastructure that enhances existing roadways or establishes new connections within a community. The practice integrates technical expertise, urban planning, and environmental considerations to develop safe, efficient, and accessible transportation systems that serve both current and future needs.

The design process starts with an assessment of existing conditions, including topographic mapping, survey and GIS, to understand site constraints. From there, engineers develop roadway layouts that meet design and safety standards. The final design incorporates permitting requirements, cost considerations, and agency coordination to ensure a smooth transition from planning through construction. The end result is a completed roadway that enhances connection across a community.

Key Roadway Engineering Project Considerations

Aerial view of the NE 40th Water Quality Facility. — *NE 40th Water Quality Facility*

Stormwater Infrastructure and Low Impact Development

An extremely common aspect of roadway engineering involves the inclusion of stormwater infrastructure considerations. While accounting for increased impervious surfaces and polluted runoff, stormwater features reduce flooding and improve water quality for a community.

A replacement culvert and fish passage features as part of improvements to 171st Parkway. — *171st Street Urban Parkway*

Culvert Replacement and Environmental Mitigation

With new development comes the potential for negative environmental impact, but proper analysis of natural resources can mitigate adverse effects. Existing culverts are notoriously inefficient and are also among the most common barriers to fish passage. Today, culverts are being replaced to protect aquatic habitat, reduce flooding, and preserve water rights for property owners.

View down to 30th and Colorado protected bike underpass. — *30th and Colorado Underpass*

Pedestrian Features

An important piece of roadway engineering is consideration of how it facilitates more than just cars. Multimodal design gives communities options for how they get from point A to point B, all while reducing carbon emissions and promoting physical health through active transportation. Emphasizing pedestrian mobility features like pedestrian bridges, protected bike lanes, cross walks, and traffic stripping reduces traffic conflicts for all.

An intersection along the updated Tolt Avenue corridor. — *Tolt Avenue Central Business District Improvements*

Traffic Control Elements

Safety is the top priority of any roadway project. With updated traffic signals and signage, drivers are more aware, creating a safer environment for themselves and pedestrians. As the design of a roadway considers number of lanes and width, control of speed can also be effectively managed.

People at the Lynnwood Community Transit Bus Rapid Transit Orange Line station. — *Swift Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)*

Transit-Oriented-Development

A healthy transportation network is a diverse transportation network. As roadway projects increase in size, so do opportunities to incorporate multimodal features. This can include accommodating mass transit with new stations, specialized lanes, or connection to adjacent trail systems. All ultimately contribute to traffic calming, creating a more connected community.

From small neighborhood streets to large arterials, each roadway type must be designed with the specific needs of the community in mind. A critical aspect of any design is engaging with the public to ensure buy-in and minimize disruption. The larger the initiative, the more essential public outreach becomes, and each project presents its own unique impacts to the connectivity of the communities it serves.

Types of Roadways and Their Impact on Communities

Different types of roadways serve unique, though connected, purposes in a transportation network. Their design often begins with comprehensive planning efforts which help identify the transportation needs of a community. Potential projects can then be developed with the focus of serving both community and client goals.

Neighborhood Streets

Neighborhood streets are designed with a primary focus on safety and accessibility, often placing an emphasis on pedestrians, cyclists, and access to public transit. The more limited scope of neighborhood street projects makes cost-effective construction strategies vital to fit within local budgets.

With this localized focus on enhancing connectivity and accessibility, neighborhood streets also typically include ADA-compliant sidewalks and crosswalks while speed bumps or curb extensions are among traffic calming measures. This roadway type requires extra attention to minimizing impact on adjacent properties while maximizing the benefits to those who call the neighborhood home, including the public assets that often exist in the area.

Tualatin, OR Adds Safe Routes to School

View of a pedestrian crosswalk and landscape as part of pedestrian safety improvements around Tualatin Elementary.

View of widened sidewalk and signage as part of pedestrian safety improvements around Tualatin Elementary.

Among some of the most important improvements that can be made to neighborhood streets are those that create a safer environment for children that play and travel in the area. For many parents at Tualatin Elementary, it was clear that updates to the neighborhood streets could make a real difference for the kids walking and biking to and from school.

Graphic with a quote from a community member on the impact of roadway improvements and the safe routes to schools program. — *Source: KOIN 6*

As part of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs, which provides grants for these types of improvements, work on 95th and Avery made a variety of upgrades to enhance pedestrian safety, particularly for the kids of Tualatin Elementary.

Multiple intersections were improved with high visibility striping in crosswalks, rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFB), and other features to create safer pedestrian crossings and reduce conflicts with vehicles. Deficient sidewalks and gaps were replaced to further enhance the pedestrian experience.

Mid-Size Collectors and Corridors

Mid-size collectors and corridors serve as vital connections between neighborhoods and larger roadways. This roadway type supports moderate traffic volumes and often incorporates improvements that enhance transportation operations and facilitate flow between developing areas.

Corridors generally aim to improve access to commercial areas, parks, and transit hubs in response to increasing traffic demand. As part of planning efforts, these improvements are sometimes made in anticipation of future development. The larger scope often involves coordination with utility companies and various agencies, as they can have a substantial impact on not only the community but the surrounding environment.

Silverdale, WA Sees Reduced Congestion and an Enhanced Waterfront

Designed a 240-foot, four-lane bridge and widened road

The community of Silverdale had long looked to improve on poor waterfront access. Where the Clear Creek Estuary crosses under Bucklin Hill Road and meets Dyes Inlet, high traffic was common which was especially problematic considering its semi-rural setting. Altogether, the area represented a missed opportunity to create an appealing place for recreation, community connections, and growth for local businesses.

Graphic with a quote from a local business owner on the impact of the Bucklin Hill roadway project.

Improvements to Bucklin Hill Road and Bridge changed that. Two additional travel lanes eliminated congestion while new bike lanes and facilities were added where there had been none. Widened sidewalks and new trail connections added to new active transportation opportunities for the community. Extensive public outreach, including the “Scout Your Route” campaign to keep the public informed of closures, minimized disruption while reducing construction duration. These improvements had a direct, broad impact on all community members, including residents at senior living facilities in the area that now benefit from greater accessibility to their local businesses.

Large Arterials and Highways

Large arterials and highways are critical for regional mobility, commerce, and overarching economic development. Linking rural and urban areas, these roadways provide communities of all sizes access to important resources like employment and healthcare in metropolitan centers, while supporting the social and cultural networks between different areas. The scale of large highway upgrades can lead to wider improvements to transit-oriented development that diversify modes of transportation and maximize project value.

These roadways often present unique engineering challenges and draw from multiple funding sources, requiring close coordination with agencies to ensure regulatory compliance. As long-term, high-visibility projects, managing timelines and minimizing construction impacts is essential to minimizing disruptions that, at this scale, can be especially costly. This includes effectively communicating project updates with the surrounding community through informational websites, local representatives, and other channels to provide clarity and achieve buy-in.

Salem, OR Supports Rapid Growth and Underserved Areas

In a historically underserved area of Salem, Oregon, where 36% of parcels are underutilized, the McGilchrist Complete Street Project is designed to enhance business development, job creation, and multimodal transportation options for members of the community. It’s part of a 20-year vision for economic growth as well as transportation safety and environmental sustainability.

Graphic with a quote from Ron Wyden on the McGilchrist Arterial project.

Considering the large and lasting impact of this work on the community, it was imperative to include them. Extensive stakeholder engagement went above and beyond, working directly with property owners, businesses, and local agencies to ensure the project addressed real community needs. These efforts led to the incorporation of refinements such as the protected cycle track and intersection realignments.

Based on feedback from public outreach, 74% of the corridor features protected bike lanes and new sidewalks. The design aims to significantly improve pedestrian accessibility while minimizing pedestrian-vehicle conflicts, resulting in fewer severe crashes and lives lost. The inclusion of $15 million of stormwater infrastructure upgrades also means this work plays a critical role in not only reducing future flooding for the community but improving habitat for fish.

Making the Complete Connection

Roadways are essential to creating vibrant, connected, and equitable communities. Because of their widespread impact, roadway projects of any size involve a diverse set of considerations to ensure that impact is comprehensive and long lasting. Through thoughtful planning, collaboration, and public engagement, Otak’s multidisciplinary teams take a cohesive approach to designing more connected communities that address current and future needs.

See Our Transportation Work

A Coffee with… Amanda Owings (Transportation Engineer) and Greg Mines (Structures Engineer)

Posted on February 11, 2025June 26, 2025 by Otak Staff

With many disciplines working together on a variety of projects, perhaps the best way to get a feel for a firm’s impact is simply, a coffee with… the people doing the work.

In this edition, we sit down with a leader of our transportation engineering group and a member of our structural engineering group to hear how their work intersects to create infrastructure that gives people the independence to move.

Find out in the video and its transcript below:

Introduction

Greg: The interface between, you know, roadway and civil and bridges is really about that, that connection of community.

Amanda: Well, that urban built environment was really cool to me too. You know, being able to actually walk through your projects as an engineer drive by.

Greg: ‘I did that,’ right?

Amanda: Exactly.

My name is Amanda Owings. I am the transportation and infrastructure business unit lead for the Oregon and Southwest Washington offices.

Greg: My name is Greg Mines. I am a structures engineer in our bridge group out of Vancouver.

What excites you about the work you do?

0:42 [Skip to this chapter]

Greg: I mean, bridges are both, you know, literal and metaphorical. So you have, you know, like you’re connecting, you know, connecting communities. And then also, we’ve done a few projects replacing connections that were lost.

Or you’re either trying to help people move through an environment or you’re trying to connect different communities with each other in different areas of community.

Amanda: And adding on to that is giving people options when they don’t have any, right, If they have an alternate way to get somewhere or an independent way to move about their community.

That’s what I think is really heartwarming about the work that we do is that you are now eliminating barriers. You’re giving people independence to move. And that’s something that everybody wants to have. They want that freedom.

What has your path been like in the field?

1:30 [Skip to this chapter]

Greg: I’ve worn many hats at Otak. I started out doing bridges and then for a while actually went and did some buildings for the national parks. And I get, I get a lot of projects that don’t fit in any particular bin of, of someone’s specialty. So I’ve [done things like] gone scuba diving for projects etc.

I’ve been here for 14 years. But why don’t you kind of fill me in on, on kind of your history with the company?

Amanda: Oh, sure. I started at Otak in 2000. That was my first job out of college. So I was an EIT, worked into my PE as well as project management, and then found that I wanted to try a little bit on the public side.

So for 9 years I was working at two different agencies and really kind of missed consulting, missed the networking, missed working with multidisciplinary teams. So it’s been really nice coming back and being able to work with lots of different people.

Greg: What’s some of the like perspective that you brought from that that public work and, and working for who is frequently our client and coming back again?

Amanda: It’s really helpful to know where their pain points are and what things that they struggle with getting through their councils or through budget or really just working with the public.

So when, when it comes to how a design is put together or how a project is presented, if the public can’t quite understand it then and we need to redesign it. And so I, I have that perspective that’s really helpful just to see it from how the agency is going to be able to pay for it, explain it, maintain it in the future.

What’s it like working closely with the public and local communities?

3:21 [Skip to this chapter]

Amanda: Well, the urban planning side of my work is quite rewarding because it does create projects and work with the communities directly. So the community is really giving their voice to what the design team is working on, and it’s really does make for a much more creative project in the end, and you’re really doing something that the public wants.

One of the communities that I worked in is that there was an intersection that had lots of crashes. It was really unsafe and we worked really hard to get that intersection repaired. And now it’s not even on the safety list and nobody ever thinks about that intersection anymore.

It’s those kinds of things that it’s like, you know, you’ve done a good job when nobody talks about it anymore. A backwards way of finding pride in your projects. But it’s true.

What are some favorite projects you’ve worked on?

4:20 [Skip to this chapter]

Amanda: We had a project for Washington County, was Olson Rd. And it was one of my very first projects and it had taken almost two years to really get through all the design. There’s like 100 driveways to sign, lots of public outreach.

But that project sticks with me because I can drive it. In fact, I drive it as many times as I can.

The second project that was really rewarding to me was a project in Tigard through their downtown, and we submitted and got a national APWA award for it.

So it was on the cover of the magazine that we really need to see.

Greg: We did one project in Olympic National Park. Crystal Creek Bridge is the name of it, and it was a suspension bridge. It was asymmetrical. It was a design build project. So we’re working with the contractor really closely and making the decisions.

So there was kind of this additional insight that we had during design and it came out and it’s a really cool bridge.

How does your work benefit from a multidisciplinary environment?

5:30 [Skip to this chapter]

Amanda: It is important to work with other disciplines in the industry because it does help you kind of foresee some of the issues that you know are going to be coming. And the more that you can relate with their work kind of makes you design more stuff that much better.

It just goes that much more smoothly.

Greg: Especially early on in a project. I feel like sometimes you’ll get like a maybe a plan set and, and you can tell that it’s not a project yet. It’s four or five individual projects, each discipline kind of doing their own.

And then you start doing that collaboration where you, you sit down and you know, you’re all, if you do a plan sheet turn or whatever, but you trade and then you look at everybody else’s and you’re like, ‘oh, hey, I think we can change this here.’ And then when you start to blend that together.

Amanda: Or asking the questions, ‘why did you do it this way? What can I do to make this a little bit easier for you?’

Greg: And working with the same people you kind of get to know, this is something that, you know, we looked at previously with, with Amanda… she can probably solve this.

The deep bench that we have of that expertise in and, and have it all just in house, You’re just blown away by what you can find.

Amanda: I love that I can pick up the phone and call you anytime when I have a structural question that’s not even related to a project that we’re working on together. But just having that access to you or your team is really helpful to our transportation group.

See Our Transportation and Structural Work

4 Reasons Capital Improvement Projects (of Any Size) Benefit from an Owner’s Representative

Posted on November 21, 2024June 10, 2025 by Otak Staff

Imagine an orchestra without a conductor. Musicians may play their individual parts well, but without cohesion. The result? Chaos. Managing capital improvement projects can be just as complex—without the right leadership, even small projects can easily go off track. That’s where an owner’s representative comes in. Acting as the project’s conductor, they represent the owner’s interests, allowing clients to focus on their day-to-day responsibilities and engage more meaningfully as a stakeholder in the project.

It’s clear why large projects benefit from an owner’s rep. Multiple contractors, complex requirements, and tight timelines make coordination especially crucial. But for smaller projects, it may not always seem as necessary. With rising costs, many owners think skipping an owner’s rep is a smart way to save. After all, many organizations have capable project managers on staff. The question is: Can the organization’s internal staff juggle project facilitation and oversight alongside their primary duties without compromising quality and the ability to manage risks for both?

Infographic showing 4 reasons capital projects of any size benefit from an owner's representative.

The reality is that there are no truly “small” projects. Even modest ones involve the steps of choosing the right consultants, managing budgets and schedules, and navigating the design and construction phases. Smaller projects often have similar complexities as larger ones, such as coordinating with multiple stakeholders or managing challenging logistics. In fact, larger projects can sometimes be more straightforward thanks to broader teams and experienced partners!

In this article, we dive into the role of an owner’s representative on capital improvement projects, with an eye on four key ways it adds value, even to “small” projects.

1. Aligning Clear, Attainable Goals with the Client’s Vision

Hiring an owner’s rep on capital improvement projects ensures that the finer details are managed while the owner’s vision remains front and center. They help define priorities and ensure that the project stays true to those goals. For instance, if an owner wants to prioritize local contractors or work with historically underrepresented firms, an owner’s rep can guide those outcomes.

North Valley Complex: Oregon DAS

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Take a closer look at how, after the Beachie Creek Fire destroyed 193,556 acres of Northwest Oregon, a creative approach found a positive outcome to the disaster while meeting the client’s vision around locally-sourced materials.

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With a focus on budget and schedule management, the owner’s rep allows the client to stay focused on their mission while maintaining transparency. This accountability is invaluable for both private organizations and taxpayer-funded entities, as it demonstrates fiscal responsibility. Plus, a well-planned master budget provides confidence as owners better understand their financial exposure for the total project costs, not just direct construction, and make informed decisions when changes arise.

Engaging an owner’s rep early can also offer guidance on project delivery methods, like when to choose design-build over CM/GC or design-bid-build. Their expertise helps streamline the process, ensuring the right partners are involved at the right time.

2. Expanding Resources and Building Relationships for Future Projects

If you foresee more capital projects on the horizon, working with an owner’s rep on a smaller project is an excellent way to “test drive” the relationship. It allows owners an opportunity to assess their approach, communication style, and fit, setting the stage for future collaboration. This effort can lead to establishing a trusted, lasting partnership that grows with an organization’s capital program.

Owner’s reps also offer a seamless way to bring specialized resources into a project. For public agencies, which often face long hiring timelines and competitive searches for qualified candidates, an owner’s rep contract provides instant access to essential expertise and staff augmentation. Rather than managing multiple RFPs or contracts for inspections, commissioning, or early due diligence, an owner’s rep can efficiently subcontract these services, saving time and streamlining the process. In smaller projects, where time is money, this efficiency is particularly beneficial and supports timely outcomes.

3. Enhancing Communication and Coordination with Stakeholders

Bringing the right team together at the right time can make or break a project. A skilled owner’s rep fosters open communication, innovation, problem solving, conflict resolution, and keeps everyone aligned.

For example, on the Vancouver Clinic expansion projects, Otak as owner’s rep led a collaborative project team environment, resulting in a project delivered three weeks early and $3 million under budget—even during the challenges of the pandemic.

View of Vancourver Clinic project exterior — *The Vancouver Clinic: Ridgefield Location*

Make no mistake, challenges occur on every project. Having the right combination of leadership, collaboration and engagement determines whether these challenges add to or detract from project outcomes.

4. Finding Efficiencies in Project Processes

With their experience managing multiple projects, owner’s reps often spot efficiencies that save time and money. This can be especially important when managing public funds such as school bonds.

An owner’s rep can anticipate supply chain issues or regional labor shortages and adjust the project plan accordingly. For instance, during the Medford School District’s Oakdale Middle School project, utilization of an owner’s rep expedited the procurement of long-lead items like window systems to avoid delays.

Interior view of a classroom as part of a capital improvement project for Oakdale Middle School — *Oakdale Middle School (Photo Credit: Josh Partee)*

A Partner That Fits the Project

With capital improvement projects covering a wide range of objectives, Otak’s owner representation services are scalable to fit each project’s unique needs. The group has helped clients with everything from drafting RFPs for an HOA’s paving contractor to offering design phase management on a county health services project until the agency felt comfortable taking over to manage in-house. Using a tailored approach means clients get the expertise they need when they need it, whether that’s for a single phase or the entire project.

Capital improvement projects—large or small—can be complicated but incredibly rewarding. By partnering with an owner’s representative, a project gains an advocate who understands it’s overarching vision and manages the details necessary to reach it. An owner’s representative orchestrates complexities at any scale so project owners can stay focused on the primary mission, giving confidence in completing projects with lasting impact.

See Our Owner’s Rep Work

The Power of Mentoring in the Modern Workplace: Driving Connection and Growth in Comprehensive Project Management

Posted on October 28, 2024November 20, 2024 by Otak Staff

In today’s dynamic work environment, building strong connections, fostering professional growth, and creating quality engagement is more important than ever. Within our PM/CM group, a unique approach has been built on the time-tested principle of mentoring to close the gap on today’s challenges to professional development.

Through the Development Advisor Program, mentoring has been reinforced as one of the most impactful ways to cultivate organizational values around community building, while strengthening team culture and their work with clients. Since launching the program in 2019, it has become a cornerstone of the group’s strategy for professional development, employee retention, and creating a supportive workplace culture.

“I am grateful for the impact of our mentoring program… it’s been invaluable having our Development Advisors as an augmentation of our leadership team to stay connected to what truly matters to our staff beyond the day-to-day responsibilities of their projects. This program has helped us bridge the gaps of a hybrid and remote environment to engage meaningfully with one another’s challenges and career aspirations. It has truly created a shared space for growth and learning together.”
Sarah Oaks, Director of Otak CPM

Why the Mentoring Program Was Developed

Back in 2019, the PM/CM team sought to improve the consistency in how professional development and mentoring were approached in a quickly evolving work environment.

It’s common for staff to work with one supervisor for three to four years on a project then transition to a new supervisor when deployed to a new project and client. With different supervisors there naturally would be variances in approach to mentorship and on the job training. The result could at times be a range of experiences depending on a person’s placement on project teams. To address this, the team’s new approach entailed designing a structured mentoring program that would provide every team member with the opportunity for consistent personal connection, professional advocacy, and growth.

Graphic with a quote from Sheri Mishler on the Otak CPM Development Advisor Program.

Graphic with quote from Andrew Lent on the Otak CPM Professional Development Program.

The initiative would become a vital tool in unforeseen and unprecedented circumstances. As the program took shape, it would keep the team connected through one of the most challenging periods for businesses globally—the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

During a time of uncertainty and remote work, the mentoring program became a lifeline for employees, providing them with consistent support, encouragement, and a sense of community. Since then, the program has grown to include more than thirty mentees and eleven development advisors and continues to grow.

How the Program Works

At the heart of the Development Advisor Program is the 360° performance evaluation process. Through this, mentees receive valuable feedback from a variety of sources, including their direct supervisors, clients, industry partners, and their colleagues. This feedback serves as a critical tool for professional development, allowing mentees to gain deeper insights into their strengths and areas for growth. More importantly, it provides transparency on where they can improve, helping them create a clear roadmap for their personal and professional development.

Graphic with quote from Judith Moses on the Otak CPM Professional Development Program.

Graphic with quote from Brian Hardebeck on the Otak CPM Professional Development Program.

The Development Advisor Program isn’t only about performance evaluation—it’s fundamentally about connection. Mentees and mentors meet on a monthly basis to connect on a personal level.

In addition to personal connection, this provides meaningful time to discuss any challenges, celebrate areas of growth, review goals, and take time for the mentor/mentee to connect on other meaningful topics they have top of mind. These regular check-ins offer mentees an advocate for their growth and development, someone who not only helps set and achieve career goals but also acts as a trusted sounding board. This mentorship fosters a deeper sense of belonging within the team, contributing to more engagement and satisfaction at work.

The Impact of Mentorship

The results of the mentoring program have been notable both internally and externally. Mentees and mentors consistently report feeling more connected to their colleagues and the organization. They value the advocacy, guidance, and feedback they receive, which in turn has had a positive effect on their professional development and overall workplace engagement. Mentors will share how the role has been an enriching experience for them as well, making this program truly a win-win experience.

Graphic with quote from Kevin Moisan on the Otak CPM Professional Development Program.

Graphic with quote from Mike Scott on the Otak CPM Professional Development Program.

The Development Advisor Program has uniquely played a crucial role in employee retention. In a time when workforce turnover has been high across all industries, having a structured system of support and development has proven to be a key factor in keeping talented professionals engaged and committed to the organization. By providing a safe space for team members to connect, it supports awareness and communication from the field to mentors. The result is greater cohesion and a sense of belonging amongst the group as a whole.

Mentorship of staff has intrinsic value for clients as well. When staff engagement is high, this translates to better outcomes for projects. Team members have vision for where their talent contributes the most value and they find ways to express that value in the context of their roles and work. As collaborative engagement increases so does problem-solving, innovation and risk management – staff are incentivized to express their leadership, ask questions and contribute to team outcomes.

This program has become a core part of the project management culture, driving a sense of purpose and connection that permeates through the team. By focusing on both personal and professional development, a workplace environment has been created where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.

Looking Ahead

The Development Advisor Program is now in its fifth year. Looking to build on its success in the future, the program aims to expand its reach and influence growing organically as the team grows. In addition to day-to-day mentoring activities, the mentor team also serves as a valued think tank for business unit leadership around supporting team and people-forward strategies. In a time where the needs of the workforce are constantly changing, having a cohort of mentors to be thought partners for leadership has been invaluable in shaping strategy and investment for approaching the growth of our most important resource, people.

The Art and Science of Pedestrian Bridge Design: A Guide to Functionality, Sustainability, and Aesthetics

Posted on August 29, 2024June 10, 2025 by Otak Staff

Pedestrian bridges, also known as footbridges, are vital elements of our communities’ transportation infrastructure. While some are often crossed without much notice, others catch the attention of anyone nearby. In any case, a combination of art and science goes into the design of each structure.

Providing safe passage for pedestrians and cyclists across busy roads, rivers, railways, and other crossings, pedestrian bridges connect communities and enhance overall quality of life through active transportation. But these structures can also serve a greater purpose beyond their practical use, often providing memorable viewpoints, meeting spots, and spaces to enjoy the surrounding environment while making a design statement for communities.

Designed to last for at least 75 years, pedestrian bridges are ingrained in the fabric of the surrounding area and must be resilient to changing environmental conditions to provide long-lasting, accessible, and safe crossing. In this blog, we’ll discuss the steps of the pedestrian bridge design process and key elements around functionality, sustainability, and aesthetics that can make them fixtures of a community for generations.

Read on or skip ahead:

The Pedestrian Bridge Design Process
Types of Pedestrian Bridges
Functionality Elements in Pedestrian Bridge Design
Sustainability Elements in Pedestrian Bridge Design
Aesthetic Elements in Pedestrian Bridge Design

What is Pedestrian Bridge Design?

Pedestrian bridge design creates structures that primarily provide safe crossings for foot traffic, cyclists, and other modes of active transportation, facilitating movement between communities and enhancing its surrounding environment.

As trails grow in popularity (including in urban areas), the role of pedestrian bridges in creating accessible, interconnected networks becomes increasingly crucial. Effective pedestrian bridge design can also enhance the usability and safety of trail systems, allowing for uninterrupted and safe passage across both natural and man-made crossings.

An infographic showing common elements of pedestrian bridge design.

The Pedestrian Bridge Design Process

The design of a pedestrian bridge is a meticulous process that begins with a clear understanding of its intended usage and the specific site conditions. This process involves defining the primary purpose of the bridge, gathering detailed site information, creating preliminary designs, and finally, refining those designs into a comprehensive plan for construction.

Define Usage

The first step in pedestrian bridge design is to define its intended use. This includes understanding whether the bridge will primarily serve pedestrians, cyclists, or in many cases even small vehicles. This determines important factors related to load and bridge width. For example, bridges on pedestrian trails are typically four to six feet wide, while those on interurban trails may need to be 10 to 12 feet or sometimes even wider.

Pedestrian bridges often need to support not only foot traffic but also small vehicles such as maintenance trucks, emergency vehicles, or even snowcats. AASHTO guidelines specify that pedestrian bridges must be designed to handle a pedestrian load of 85 pounds per square foot (PSF), with additional considerations for vehicles, where loads can range from 10,000 pounds for maintenance vehicles to 54,000 pounds for emergency vehicles. In remote areas, the design might also need to accommodate equestrian use.

The rise of e-bikes is another growing consideration; while they enhance accessibility, they also introduce new safety challenges due to their speed and weight. Designers have to stay informed about varying state regulations on e-bike usage to ensure safety and accessibility for all users.

Gather Site Information

Once the intended use is defined, the next step is to gather detailed information about the site. This includes conducting surveys, geotechnical analyses, and environmental assessments. The type of crossing — whether over a stream, roadway, or railway — dictates essential design considerations like clearances. For instance, street and highway crossings require a minimum clearance of 16.5 feet, railroads 25 feet, and waterways at least two feet above a 100-year flood event.

Washougal River Bridge

See the Project

Take a closer look at how a site assessment informs pedestrian bridge design to meet multiple functional purposes, from connecting a trail system to carrying a water main, while also giving careful consideration to the surrounding environment.

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Environmental factors such as snow, wind, temperature fluctuations, and seismic activity must also be considered to ensure the bridge’s resilience. This information helps determine the appropriate location and type of abutments, as well as the length, width, and height of the bridge.

Environmental assessments are critical in identifying necessary permits and ensuring that the design minimizes impact on local ecosystems. For waterway crossings, hydrologic and hydraulic analyses provide insights into potential water levels during extreme weather events, guiding decisions about pier placement and scour protection. Other environmental considerations include preventing pollution through stormwater management and minimizing disruption to local vegetation and wildlife.

Preliminary Design and Alternative Selection

Based on the gathered data, preliminary designs are developed by structural engineers, accounting for all client and site-specific requirements. These designs include cost estimates and various alternatives, each with its own set of benefits and challenges. Preliminary sketches and renderings help visualize different options, allowing stakeholders to assess feasibility, constructability, and cost-effectiveness before making a final selection.

Final Design

The final design phase involves detailed structural analysis using specialized engineering software. This step ensures that the bridge can withstand all expected loads, including tension and compression forces. Special attention is given to fracture critical members (FCMs), which are vital components whose failure could lead to the collapse of the bridge. These elements, along with welds, are carefully identified in the structural plans.

With the design configuration set, materials are selected to meet the demands of the environment, such as thermal expansion and slip resistance. Safety and reliability are prioritized, leading to the completion of design and construction documents that detail every aspect of the bridge, from structural components to aesthetic elements.

Types of Pedestrian Bridges

While the majority of pedestrian bridges are either beam or truss structures, there are instances where other options are either required for practical reasons or chosen for design preference.

Beam Bridge

View down part of the Kronberg Multi-Use Pathway. — *Kronberg Multi-Use Pathway*

Short Spans (5′ to 100′)

Beam and girder bridges provide many fabrication and construction options while also being typically more cost effective. Used for shorter spans, they are limited in girder depth and vertical clearance. While they are among the most common in pedestrian bridge design, these structures can be built with materials like steel, concrete, or timber, and can integrate bridge railings to create a unique identity.

Truss Bridge

Aerial view of the Dungeness River Bridge. — *Dungeness River Bridge*

Medium Spans (20’ to 150’)

With simple construction that installs quickly, truss bridges are another common pedestrian bridge type that offers a cost-effective design. While less unique, a railing that’s integral with the structure can be a fitting aesthetic for many applications. Materials for these structures are generally steel, timber, or fiberglass (FRP).

Arch Bridge

View of Varsity Pond Bridge on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. — *Varsity Pond Arch Bridge*

Medium Spans (50′ to 300′)

For medium spans that avoid the use of piers, arch bridges provide graceful aesthetics that can be built low below a trail profile. While more expensive, these structures can be advantageous for greater spans and limiting impact to the environment. They are commonly made of steel, concrete, or timber materials.

Cable Stay Bridge

View of the Spring Creek Pedestrian Bridge. — *Spring Creek Pedestrian Bridge*

Long Spans (100′ to 300′)

Offering a low profile for longer spans, cable stay bridges provide a unique look and feel compared to other pedestrian bridge options, typically showcasing a distinctive fan-like pattern created by their cable placement. Cables can be rigged in a mono, harp, fan, or star design, and similar to most other bridge types can be built with steel, timber, or concrete.

Suspension Bridge

View of the Staircase Rapids Trail Bridge in Olympic National Park. — *Staircase Rapids Trail Bridge*

Long Spans (200′ to 500′)

The science of long crossings and art of graceful aesthetics are combined in suspension bridge design. This structure type is especially useful for wide rivers and sites with inaccessible pier locations, often providing a statement for a community using steel, concrete, or timber materials.

Functionality Elements in Pedestrian Bridge Design

Regardless of individual goals, functionality is a core objective in any pedestrian bridge design. In creating a durable, safe, and cost-effective structure that meets community needs for decades, the design should consider a variety of factors. A focus on surrounding pedestrian and bicycle facilities, providing logical routes that encourage use and minimize the need for detours, and consideration of alternative crossing opportunities are all essential to maximizing accessibility and safety.

Wayfinding

A pedestrian bridge is only as valuable as the use it gets. The ability to find one’s way to and from the bridge as part of a broader transportation network is critical to that end.

For effective wayfinding, pedestrian bridge design should integrate with existing transportation infrastructure, ensuring that the bridge is easily accessible and does not require users to travel out of their way to cross. Creating logical connections to surrounding facilities increase the bridge’s utility and enhance the user experience. Additionally, designing a system of cohesive icons and signage not only helps guide users through space visually, but can support tourism, and establish the bridge as a gathering space and community landmark.

Approach Ramps and Accessibility

A sometimes-overlooked aspect of pedestrian bridge design are the approach ramps. Approach ramps ensure that the bridge is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. The design of approach ramps must adhere to ADA Guidelines, which often require long ramps to accommodate the necessary vertical clearances. Ramps also provide an opportunity to add some creativity in the design that fits within the site footprint. Although these ramps can represent a significant cost, they are essential for ensuring that the bridge is fully functional and accessible.

Abutments and Piers

Serving as the foundation of the structure, abutments and piers can take shape in a pedestrian bridge design in many ways. Depending on the site conditions, abutment design can range from simple footings to more complex anchoring systems.

Geotechnical analysis plays a key role in determining whether deep foundations are necessary, particularly in areas prone to scour. The type and number of piers used also impacts the cost of the bridge relative to its span length.

A graph illustrating the cost benefits of piers related to bridge length.

Sustainability and Resilience Elements in Pedestrian Bridge Design

With a more volatile environment, sustainability and resilience are increasingly critical to pedestrian bridge design. Designers must consider environmental impacts, resilience to climate change, and seismic resilience where necessary. For waterway crossings, hydraulic and hydrologic modeling are essential to ensuring that the bridge can withstand extreme weather events and avoid damaging the surrounding ecosystem. There are a few aspects of bridge design where resilience is particularly relevant.

Stormwater and Drainage

Proper stormwater and drainage design is vital to prevent pollution and maintain the structural integrity of the bridge. Deck drains should be placed at regular intervals to keep the bridge watertight, and curbs should be installed on bridges crossing roads or highways to prevent water runoff. These measures help protect both the bridge and the environment.

Sustainable Materials and Energy Efficiency

The use of sustainable building materials and energy-efficient technologies is an important consideration in modern pedestrian bridge design. Recycled materials and energy-efficient lighting, such as LEDs, can reduce the environmental footprint of the bridge. Landscaping can also promote sustainability by supporting local ecosystems and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the bridge.

Laporte Avenue Corridor and Bridge Improvements

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Take a closer look at the use of sustainable materials (including 97% recycled steel in bridge structures) as part of multimodal improvements to a corridor in Fort Collins, Colorado.

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Mitigation of Waterway Impact

When a pedestrian bridge crosses a waterway, special attention must be given to minimizing its impact on the stream and surrounding wetlands. Regulatory requirements often dictate freeboard levels and the number of piers allowed in the water. Designers must also consider fish passage and scour protection to preserve the natural flow and health of the waterway.

Aesthetic Elements in Pedestrian Bridge Design

While functionality and resilience are paramount, sometimes there is great value – particularly as part of a system of brides – in designing a pedestrian bridge that makes a statement. As integral components of the community, aesthetics can play a pivotal role in an area’s growth. A well-designed pedestrian bridge can become a landmark or gateway, enhancing the community’s identity and appeal. While purely functional bridges are often more cost-effective, investing in aesthetically pleasing features can add long-term value to the community.

The opportunity to consider aesthetics isn’t exclusive to grand design choices. There are a wide range of ways where even small features can have a large, lasting impact.

Bridge System Type

The type of bridge system chosen can greatly influence its aesthetic appeal. Beam and truss bridges are generally more functional, while arch, cable-stay, and suspension bridges offer greater creative freedom, allowing designers to create iconic structures that stand out.

Willapa Hills Trail Bridges

See the Project

Take a closer look at how after an extreme weather event, multiple pedestrian bridge designs are used to add resilience and safety to a trail system in the Pacific Northwest.

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Bridge Railing

Bridge railings are another element where functionality meets aesthetics. While they primarily serve to protect pedestrians and cyclists, railings can also be designed to enhance the visual appeal of the bridge. In urban or high-risk areas, railings are often higher and more enclosed for safety, whereas in rural areas, simpler designs may suffice. Historical railing systems can be preserved or replicated to maintain the cultural heritage of the area.

Bridge Lighting

Bridge lighting serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. It provides safety for users at night and deters vandalism, while also highlighting the bridge as a visual landmark. LED lighting has revolutionized bridge design, offering energy efficiency, reduced maintenance, and a wide range of color options. The right lighting can transform a pedestrian bridge into a striking feature of the nighttime landscape.

Taking a Multidisciplinary Approach to Pedestrian Bridge Design

Just as one community differs from the next, so do the pedestrian bridges that enhance their connectivity. With a considered process and collaborative approach combing the art and science of each project, the variety of design solutions available offer several paths to both meeting functional goals and making a statement for the community.

As a fixture of infrastructure designed to last decades, pedestrian bridges are created with an eye on the future and resilience in mind. Throughout the design process, input from a multidisciplinary team of engineers, planners, and architects is essential to creating landmark bridge design that maximizes the benefits of these public assets for generations to come.

See Our Pedestrian Bridge Work

A Coffee with… Gabriel Kruse (Landscape Architect) and Chris Maykut (Senior Designer)

Posted on April 18, 2024June 10, 2025 by Otak Staff

With many disciplines working together on a variety of projects, perhaps the best way to get a feel for a firm’s impact is simply, a coffee with… the people doing the work.

This video series features experts sharing insights gained during their time in the AEC industry, with an emphasis on the importance of collaboration to meeting a common goal of creating better communities.

In this edition of ‘a coffee with…’, we learn from a landscape architect and a senior designer within architecture about the importance of designing and placemaking for people’s lives. Find out in the video and its transcript below:

Improving People’s Lives through Impactful Design

I think we’re changing lives, making them better.

One of the things that I love to see is when I go to one of these places that I’ve designed and there’s a family out there or kids swinging on the swing set. You’re seeing this idea you had in your brain come to fruition and being enjoyed by the community… it’s one of the best things.

My name is Chris Maykut. I’m a senior designer here at Otak working on the architecture team and I’ve been here for five years.

I’m Gabriel Kruse, I’m a landscape architect. I’ve been with Otak for almost nine years.

What is the Importance of Collaboration between Disciplines on Projects?

[Skip to this chapter]

I really do believe this that there’s, you know, there’s no “I” in team… that collaboration is very key to a successful project.

He’s in landscape, I’m in architecture, I’ve got the built form, he’s got the natural form, but we also kind of come together and there’s this blended area.

So, I think we both have a job of imagining, creating, and developing places for people to inhabit. And I think that’s, you know, really important, and I think collaboration makes that a much stronger end result.

We meet, like, what’s it at 5 feet outside, 5 feet outside the building? Yeah.

But you know I think on the bigger projects we have multiple buildings… we create the space in between the buildings together.

I think for me as a landscape architect and working with Chris and architecture, we’re trying to make really great places for people to live. Going home to a great piece of architecture, going through that landscape experience, also just having all those all those pieces working together in harmony is a real goal of ours.

How Does a Multidisciplinary Environment Create Unique Opportunities to Work Together?

[Skip to this chapter]

I think of Otak as a family, it’s kind of corny. But I have one project that the landscape consultant is outside of Otak, and another project where the landscape is Gabe or someone else on this team… I can coordinate and communicate with in in both situations quite well. But I feel just the family atmosphere of Otak, I feel like I can be more open and more responsive in communicating back and forth.

We both use a 3D modeling software and we’re both pretty good at using that software. So, we can exchange models together and say what do you think of this?

You know, he’s got this big building model and a lot of things going on in there.

And then I’ll take a piece of it and say, ‘hey, give me that model,’ and I’ll take it and then I’ll put my landscape design in there and I’ll send it back to him… drop that in there see what you think and then Chris [and I] we’ll just kind of work together back and forth that way massage it back and forth, massage it back and forth.

Not everyone designs that way, but I think Chris and I both have that. We’ll use that 3D modelling as a tool, as a design tool, not just a presentation tool. I think that, yeah, that is one way I think we really work together well.

What is Most Exciting about Working in the Design Industry?

[Skip to this chapter]

Making someone feel like they have a home and it’s just not a place that they’re sleeping at. They’re having birthday parties. They’re, you know, sharing fun times with friends and family.

And, you know… we’re helping them create memories for their lives here at Otak.

We do a lot of multifamily and specifically affordable right now. I really enjoy that as opposed to doing, you know, high end condos in downtown Portland. There’s more meaning to it and… that gets me excited to come into work everyday.

Designing a park, then going to see it afterwards and seeing people use it; enjoy it; and then talking to the neighborhood and [seeing] just how much people appreciate open space… It’s a really important part of neighborhood design and community design.

There are a lot of when that’s where, you know, all the kids spend a lot of their time and that’s what I really look forward to.

See Our Planning and Architecture Work