Otak is proud to announce some recent accolades from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Oregon. The ACEC Oregon Engineering Excellence Awards celebrate the best of the best in the engineering world, acknowledging firms that demonstrate innovation, technical expertise, and a commitment to delivering exceptional projects.
View the project page for each award winner below and be sure to watch the videos that accompany them for direct insight into what makes each project special.
Check out how Otak’s approach to stream restoration design returned a critical juncture of Johnson Creek at Cedar Crossing to it’s natural features, ensuring that one of the last creeks where salmon actively spawn in Portland, OR is viable for generations to come.
See how Otak involved the community of Independence, OR to replace an ailing bridge on Ash Creek, providing critical infrastructure through quality survey, geotechnical, roadway, bridge, hydraulic analysis, and environmental permitting work.
Working with a visionary developer, Skip Grodahl, The Fields Apartments is designed as a 264-unit affordable multifamily development with 100,000 square feet of office space in Tigard, Oregon. The ground-breaking project makes housing affordable to those earning 60 percent of median family income.
Overcoming Site Challenges for a Ground-Breaking Affordable Housing Design
Working with a visionary developer, Skip Grodahl, Otak designed a 264-unit affordable multifamily development with 100,000 square feet of office space in Tigard, Oregon. The site was challenging to develop because of its substantial slope, access constraints, and the desire to protect a substantial stand of trees on the site. The project team worked closely with City staff and nearby residents to design a project that met the City’s economic development goals, connectivity requirements, and the neighbors’ desires, while providing attractive and well-located housing and office space. The 24-acre site will include five apartment buildings, a clubhouse with a green roof, and up to 100,000 of commercial office space. This type of integrated affordable housing keeps our communities vital and accessible to people at all stages of life. In leading the design, Otak provided survey, civil engineering, architecture, land use planning, and landscape architecture services for this ground-breaking project.
In an inspiring celebration of achievement and excellence, Saretta Tillmaand, Amanda Owings, and Margaret Steinhilber – three remarkable women from Otak – have been honored with Women of Vision accolades by the Daily Journal of Commerce (DJC) Oregon!
The recognition adds to a growing list over the past several years of Otak people to receive the award:
2022 – Millicent Williams
2021 – Tanya Boyer, Rachel Laura, Cathy Kraus
2020 – Serah Breakstone, Tina Keller, Angela Khosa-Marangwanda
Every year, the DJC Oregon honors a select group of nominated women for their contributions to the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction – allowing them to set an example for others in the field and position them leaders in the broader communities we all serve. This year’s 46 Women of Vision honorees were project managers, CEOs, principals, company founders and more – all active in creating opportunities for the future generation of women in our industry.
Who are the Honorees?
Amanda Owings – Business Unit Leader of Transportation
For more than 20 years, Amanda has worked within all facets of transportation, from traffic signal review to accessible ramp designs. She now draws on that experience to design unique transportation solutions that are centered around the impact they have on existing systems and the broader communities her projects aim to service. Amanda sees value in cultivating relationships within her team and has taken opportunities such as treating her team to a local soccer game to facilitate teambuilding and comradery. She takes her role in leadership to heart and understands that building a quality team requires work and dedication beyond the day to day operations.
“I’m honored to have served the institutions I have, and thank you to Otak for believing in me since the beginning, for nominating these other deserving women and inspiring me on my journey.”
– Amanda Owings
Saretta Tillmaand – Senior Project Architect
Saretta is task oriented and skilled Project Architect who enjoys figuring out what tasks need to be done in what order to create the greatest efficiency. She excels at aligning client wants with available space and finding new materials and technology to make construction more efficient and sustainable. An ardent believer in community involvement and uplifting women in the field – she’s described as a trailblazer in the project architect’s group at Otak. She volunteers with Habitat For Humanity and served as a lead advocate for the U.S. Green Building Council’s operations within our firm.
“I’d like to thank my coworkers for seeing and acknowledging the work that I do. I’m often behind the scenes, so this honor is a testament to the importance of visibility.”
– Saretta Tillmaand
Margaret Steinhilber – Senior Project Architect
Margaret is a Senior Project Architect with a calm head and solid communication skills. At Otak, she works with the design team from concept phase through construction documents, coordinating with clients and consultants throughout the process. She continues to be involved through the construction phase, providing observation and coordinating with contractors and owners to ensure projects are in alignment with the construction documents.
Margaret prides herself on creating environments both beautiful and functional. She finds plenty of opportunity to follow her passion at Otak, because Margaret says her colleagues’ dedication to creating innovative, sustainable, and livable buildings makes coming to work something she looks forward to every day.
“Margaret is an example of dedication and is a role model to other women in the architecture group.”
– Matt Neish, Architecture Business Unit Lead
These three have demonstrated unwavering dedication, innovation, and leadership in their fields of architecture and transportation. The DJC’s recognition is a testament to their outstanding work, showcasing how their practices are not only impacting our company but also making a significant and positive mark in the greater AEC world.
Otak is thrilled to announce our success at the 2023 American Public Works Association (APWA) Colorado Awards Luncheon, where we were honored to be part of not one but two awards!
The awards ceremony brought together professionals and organizations from the public works sector to celebrate excellence and innovation in community development.
The Adam’s County Veteran’s Memorial Project team accepting the 2023 APWA Project of the Year Award. (Photo Credit: Colorado Public Works Journal)
What Projects Won?
The big winner for this year was one of the most interesting projects Otak’s has had the chance to team up on in recent years – Adam’s County Veteran’s Memorial. Partnering with DHM Design and ECI Site Management was an opportunity to not only serve the community but honor veterans with a historic battleship turned testament to their service for their country.
The ceremony was not only an occasion for Otak to celebrate its own achievements but also to applaud the remarkable efforts of other dedicated professionals and organizations in the field. Together, we continue to elevate the standards of excellence in public works and community development.
The Adams County Veteran’s Memorial project team at the APWA Colorado 2023 luncheon.
Otak would like to express its gratitude to the APWA Colorado Chapter for organizing this event and for providing a platform for industry leaders to share ideas, inspire innovation, and celebrate success. We are thrilled to be part of this thriving community of professionals who are working tirelessly to build a brighter future.
At Otak, we remain committed to making a positive impact on the communities we serve. These awards are a testament to our collective efforts, and we look forward to many more opportunities to create meaningful change. It’s amazing to get recognition for the work we do to serve our communities, and the real payoff is not just with awards, but in the way we deliver projects successfully.
For more information about Otak and our ongoing community-focused projects, check out our website where you’ll find the latest on other projects in the Rocky Mountain Region!
As essential transportation routes for the University of Colorado and commuting for the general public, updates to these corridors were a priority for the City of Boulder. With the goal of improved multimodal transportation, aesthetic enhancements, and a future master plan for land use in mind, the 30th and Colorado Underpass project would provide important safety accessibility and drainage improvements.
Multimodal Enhancements to a Dangerous, Priority Corridor
An emphasis on multimodal transportation (pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and vehicle) at the intersection of 30th and Colorado also included a grade-separated crossing that was functional and minimally impactful to the surrounding area. The design features two pedestrian and bicycle underpasses as well as a protected intersection. Connected infrastructure to nearby sidewalks, bike lanes and multi-use paths and a reconstructed transit stop improve access to these corridors. A large gravity irrigation carrier pipe supports landscape elements while lighting, art and other features were part of the urban design. Otak developed construction documents in making the City of Boulder’s improved transportation goals a reality.
Otak was proud to attend a ribbon cutting on October 3rd – celebrating the unveiling of the City of Boulder’s first-ever fully protected intersection and underpass project at 30th Street and Colorado Avenue!
The timing for the full delivery of this project could not be more relevant as the intersection is a top crash location for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike. The need was great to redesign it as a protected intersection – meant to ensure safety by physically separating vehicles from other modes of transport through the intersection, and making it easier for users to see each other.
Project Details
The project design features the aforementioned protected intersection as well as two separate pedestrian and bicycle underpasses. Connecting infrastructure to nearby sidewalks, bike lanes, and multi-use paths along with the reconstructed transit stops improves access to these corridors. Features like lighting, landscaping elements, and public art were also included as part of the urban design. Otak and our team of subconsultant partners developed construction documents to make the City of Boulder’s improved transportation goals a reality. You can read more about it on our project page!
Otakian Representation
Those attending might have caught sight of Otak’s Kevin Dooley, representing his project management and design work that was essential to accomplishing the city’s goals. For him, transportation is about much more than getting from one place to the next – transportation design is an art form that involves creatively combining what is known with what could be, and that passion played an instrumental role in a successful project delivery.
Once constrained by by a 585-foot-long railroad bridge, the Dungeness River floodplain was restored while reusing that existing trestle structure to design its river-worthy, salmon-friendly replacement. Located on the Dungeness River at Railroad Bridge Park in Sequim, this multifaceted project supports Olympic Discovery Trail and the broader redevelopment of the Dungeness River Nature Center.
Working with a Local Tribe to Repurpose a Bridge, Reconnect a Floodplain, and Enhance Aquatic Habitats
The restoration and structural design was accomplished in coordination with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe with the goal of redesigning multiple features that constrained the floodplain process. Along with the railroad trestle, a parking lot would also be replaced with 350 feet of side-channel and log revetments. Along with levee setbacks, these improvements enhance the local salmonid rearing and spawning habitat. A unique no-rise analysis including two-dimensional hydraulic modeling and large wood stability calculations was used for the dynamic river setting. In utilizing the existing railroad bridge, a unique wishbone approach connects the trails and nature center. From preliminary to final design and preferred alternatives, the Otak team prepared each step of the process including permitting, technical specifications, costs, and bid documentation.
Aimed at adding a safe year-round route for the City of Aspen and its 22 miles of trails, the Maroon Creek Multi-Use Trail creates a clearly-defined connection through a heavily used and tightly constrained roadway. Extending to the Aspen Highlands Trail, Otak provided planning, conceptual design, and final construction documents for this path to complete a much needed connection between the city, Aspen Recreation Center, Aspen Highlands Ski Area, and iconic Maroon Bells Scenic Area.
Providing a Safe and Clear, Year-Round Connection for a Heavily Used Corridor
An amenity for locals and tourists alike, the world-renowned mountain destination of Aspen features a trail system that enhances active transportation across the area including Snowmass, Woody Creek, Basalt, and the greater Pitkin County. The Maroon Creek Multi-Use Trail connects the SH 82 roundabout with the Aspen Recreation Center and its busy transit station, where a previously poorly defined mixture of pathways created potential conflicts between vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. With updates providing the ability to clear snow, the path is now available for use in all seasons. Careful consideration of impacts to adjacent properties included increased separation from the road as well as from the Aspen High and Aspen Middle School pathways, while the design also integrates with well-established Nordic trails in the area. Intersection safety improvement measures, drainage upgrades, realignment of an existing pedestrian bridge approach, and transit stop enhancements were also among the features of this multimodal project.
As part of significant development to the surrounding area of Riverdale Regional Park, the Adams County Veteran’s Memorial adds a scaled model of the USS Colorado, a vessel that served from 1923 to 1947 and sustained significant damage during World War II. The development aims to not only provide a park for the community to enjoy but also a place to honor living military members and those who have perished.
A Unique Structure to Serve the Community
With a design that extends into Mann-Nyholt Lake, the veteran’s memorial recreates detailed features of the USS Colorado including everything from the battleship bow to the turrets, cables and smokestacks. An interpretive wall and military panels honor the 43 service members who died – along with 198 injured – when the vessel itself suffered hull damage in the Pacific Ocean. Accessibility is a critical factor in the design to accommodate all abilities and provide easy access to all park amenities. Development to surrounding Riverdale Regional Park include a new roundabout and parking lots that enhance an existing trail all to improve public access. Given its position on the waterfront, no-rise analysis and floodplain development permitting also supported the design process. Multiple Otak teams led the design and supporting services necessary to make this memorial a reality.
In today’s rapidly evolving world, where convenience and speed often reign supreme, a quiet revolution is taking place on our streets and sidewalks. The growing popularity of non-motorized transportation, often referred to as “active transportation,” is reshaping our communities and our lives in profound ways. From bustling metropolises to quaint suburban neighborhoods, designers, planners, and entire communities are increasingly realizing the benefits of walking and rolling. In doing so, they are transforming the way we think about transportation, health, and urban planning.
In this piece we’ll examine how active transportation is playing a key role in designing healthier communities while improving connectivity, sustainability, and economic growth.
Active transportation encompasses any mode of travel that involves human propulsion – walking, cycling, skateboarding, and similar forms of mobility. It’s the human-powered movement that breathes life into our streets and invites interaction within communities in developing the public right-of-way. The benefits of active transportation extend beyond mere personal fitness; it nurtures a culture of connection and vibrancy within our towns and cities.
This movement aligns seamlessly with the philosophy of multimodal transportation and complete streets design. It recognizes the importance of accommodating a diverse range of travel choices, ensuring that our roads and paths are welcoming to pedestrians, cyclists, and users of all abilities.
Active Transportation Benefits to Public Health
Amid the pressing concerns of our modern world is the growing public health crisis of obesity, due in large part to increasingly sedentary lifestyles. According to the World Health Organization, people who are insufficiently active have a 20%-30% increased risk of death from a variety of causes.
The reality that two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese underscores the urgency of reimagining our transportation landscape. Active transportation emerges as one solution to a variety of ills surrounding both public health and the transportation, offering a practical solution that naturally infuses physical activity into daily routines.
What’s more, the significance of the movement encouraged by active transportation extends beyond individual well-being. Unhealthier communities place strain on healthcare systems and exact emotional costs from reduced quality of life. By embracing active transportation, we can collectively counteract these social costs, cultivating a society that prioritizes well-being and reaps the rewards of healthier, more fulfilled citizens.
Reducing Congestion and Transportation Climate Impact
As cities continue to expand, transportation-related congestion poses significant challenges. It’s also no secret that the transportation sector contributes significantly – approximately 45% of total emissions in the U.S. – to air pollution. The correlation between these issues and increased motorized traffic is irrefutable.
In an industry aiming to reduce climate impact while also improving connectivity, active transportation serves as a powerful remedy to both problems. By design, the approach is offering emission-free travel options that mitigate environmental strain and alleviating congestion in urban centers simultaneously.
Creating Safer, More Plentiful Commute Options
Reducing congestion has benefits that extend beyond sustainable design alone. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) people are driving less while biking and walking more. At the same time, pedestrian and cyclist fatalities have also increased, further emphasizing the importance of active transportation design that naturally creates safer pedestrian right of way.
Access to reliable, equitable transportation is the lifeblood of thriving communities. Active transportation plays a pivotal role in shaping our neighborhoods by offering safer and more plentiful commute options. This is especially significant for lower-income individuals who may lack direct access to public transit or personal vehicles.
Intentional design that integrates active transportation into urban design is paramount to diverse, viable commute options. Carefully planned infrastructure ensures that pedestrians and cyclists are shielded from motorized traffic, promoting safety and fostering a culture of shared road space. This approach also contributes to more accessible, ADA-compliant communities where everyone can move with ease and dignity.
Active transportation isn’t just a health booster; it’s also a catalyst for economic growth. With greater connectivity comes not only greater access to necessary services and employment opportunities, but also local businesses. The link between healthier communities and economic prosperity is undeniable. Areas with enhanced pedestrian and bicycle facilities often see increased property values and vibrant local businesses, creating a cycle of improvement and investment.
Property and Business Value
From increasing retail visibility to raising real estate value, the economic impact of active transportation on a community can take many forms. Studies across various U.S. cities by the Urban Land Institute find houses located in areas with above-average walkability or bikeability are worth up to $34,000 more than similar homes in areas where those features are average. As for businesses, people who arrive by bicycle have been shown to spend more overall while making more frequent visits.
Funding and Resource Efficiency
Aside from the economic benefits to the surrounding community, advantages also extend to the feasibility of the project itself. Active transportation infrastructure diminishes the need for constant road expansions to accommodate heavy traffic and roadway repairs that come with time and influx in population. This cost-saving measure frees up resources for other community enhancements, reinforcing the attractiveness of these areas to residents, businesses, and investors.
In fact, many existing roadways are repurposed and converted to accommodate multi-use travel. With that approach, active routes can be swiftly implemented using a modest investment in curbing, traffic paint and signs, and landscaping.
Barriers to getting active transportation projects off the ground can also be reduced from a financial standpoint. Funding and grants for active transportation projects are easier to secure due to their inherent value to the community and the positive impact on pedestrian safety.
Types of Active Transportation
Active transportation comes in various forms, each with its own set of benefits and design considerations. From walking to biking, these modes of mobility interact with different facets of community life, ranging from leisure to essential transportation. Accessibility and ADA compliance remain vital in ensuring that all members of the community can participate.
Wayfinding – the art of providing clear signage to guide users – also plays a critical role in successful active transportation design. By helping people navigate these routes efficiently, we encourage broader adoption of non-motorized transportation.
Walking Transportation and Pedestrian Infrastructure
Walking is the most fundamental form of active transportation, and its role in urban planning cannot be overstated. Walkability contributes to the vitality of neighborhoods, enabling residents and visitors to engage with their environment, access essential services, and enjoy leisurely strolls.
Pedestrian infrastructure is central to this vision, ensuring safe and appealing walkways. Investments in pedestrian bridges, designed to link key areas of a community, further underscore the commitment to providing accessible and enjoyable pedestrian experiences.
Bicycle infrastructure takes active transportation to new horizons, extending the reach of human-powered travel. Protected bike lanes, cycle tracks, and shared roadways carve out safe spaces for cyclists, allowing them to navigate through urban landscapes with confidence. Protected intersections further enhance safety, ensuring that cyclists can navigate intersections without fear.
The rising prominence of active transportation symbolizes a transformative shift in the way we move and live. This movement isn’t just about physical health; it’s about nurturing communities that are vibrant, connected, and sustainable. By embracing active transportation, we invest in our well-being, our environment, and our future. As we pedal, stroll, and roll towards healthier, more equitable communities, we pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.
The concept of multi-use paths embodies inclusivity and adaptability. Such paths cater to various user groups, accommodating activities from scooting to dog walking. Thoughtful design accounts for different forms of transportation and future traffic considerations, such as the burgeoning popularity of electric bicycles. There are also a variety of surface types to consider that offer their own unique benefits for different types of users. In designing multi-use paths, it’s a delicate balance between user comfort, safety, and accessibility remains paramount in crafting these versatile pathways.
Beyond the urban landscape, trails carve a path to healthy recreation and appreciation of nature. They also offer another key option for people to seek out regular exercise. Sustainable trail design minimizes maintenance while accommodating diverse user groups and minimizing conflicts. Trails beckon people outdoors, nurturing a deeper connection to the environment and fostering a shared sense of stewardship.
Merging Transportation Design with Community Growth
Whether it be an urban corridor or rural open space, community growth takes shape in a variety of ways. More than just addressing population growth or fixing infrastructure, it’s about ultimately designing communities for both the present and future From project goals of supporting future economic development, to incorporating multimodal design, our multidisciplinary expertise allows for a comprehensive approach to achieving what matters most, improving the lives of the people who call that place home.
Take a closer look at our transportation engineering practice and learn more about how sustainability, accessibility, and mobility come together to create greater community connectivity.
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