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Empowering Interns at Otak – Perspectives from Future Designers

Posted on August 2, 2023June 10, 2025 by Otak Staff

Skills in the AEC industry are among some of the most technical in the American workforce, and fostering those abilities in the next generation of professionals is critical to the future of our built environment. Future designers need to have the tools to learn practically and grow organically so they are equipped for success when it comes time to earn their license.

Internships are among the best ways Otak can provide our expertise as a learning experience – empowering young people looking to break into design with real world know-how, so they feel not only confident in their passion but also determined to make their mark on the world and how we experience it. This is what’s at the core of our Summer Internship Program.

In this piece, we delve into the heart of Otak’s Internship Program to explore what it is, its unique offerings, and hear directly from current and past interns about the impact it’s made on emerging professionals from across our offices!

Laying the Foundation

The Summer Internship Program at Otak serves as the launchpad for those seeking to pursue a career in the fields of engineering, architecture, and design in the marketing, planning, and construction project management sectors. As part of a greater industry practice, the program aims to create consistency of experience for interns, regardless of their individual backgrounds or interests. It embraces each intern wherever they are in their journey, providing a wealth of knowledge and skills that lay the foundations for a successful career for years to come.

An effort that evolved across Otak’s various departments over the last two years, the goal of the program became to nurture a pipeline of talent. The decision was made to structure the program around a “One Otak” approach to nurturing talent that would be consistent across our practice areas.

Our interns are able to get out in the field as soon as they can – contributing directly to problem solving on the project site while building real-world skills for their future careers.

Meet Our Summer Interns!

With a total of eight interns for the summer – we’re sharing perspectives on their experiences so far and what makes their early work meaningful to them:

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Thomas, along with his skills and hobbies.

Thomas Jacobsen, Transportation & Infrastructure (Louisville)

Thomas is a student at the University of Colorado – Boulder, pursuing his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with a minor in Business. He has skills in Civil 3D and coding in C++ and Java, along with a CSWA Solidworks certification in Mechanical Design. In addition to his civil engineering background, Thomas also has experience working as a soccer referee for the U.S. Soccer Federation.

“The most interesting thing I’ve worked on is a project for a multi-use trail in Aspen that had many interesting features. It was cool to see how certain obstacles were overcome to create an impactful project that will benefit the residents of Aspen.”

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Javier, along with his skills and hobbies.

Javier Buenrostro, Marketing (Portland)

Javier is a marketing student at the University of Portland. He has experience in a variety of different industries including healthcare and retail. He is skilled in Adobe suite, Canva, and Microsoft office. Javier has worked on projects that span brand identity design, product development, and UX design, enhancing user experiences and optimizing product functionality. Additional experience includes working on marketing campaigns to draw brand/product awareness and achieve business objectives. 

“The most interesting thing I’ve had the opportunity to work on was the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME) conference. It was an incredibly rewarding experience as I got to attend and represent Otak. What made it so special was the cause of inclusion it supported, which I deeply resonate with.”

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Davis, along with his skills and hobbies.

Davis Brandt, PMCM & Owner’s Representative (Portland)

Davis is an Architectural Engineering student at Oregon State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree. He has an interest in design and construction. He has experience using software including Microsoft Office, AutoCAD and Bluebeam Revu. He has a passion for math and problem solving that has led him to choose engineering as a career path.

“I got to observe the process of a modular getting delivered to an elementary school which is simply just a portable classroom. I thought it was so neat because they have to make a pre-built foundation for the modular, and from there they have to connect all of the electrical and plumbing lines back to the school’s main building.”

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Chiara, along with her skills and hobbies.

Chiara Roskelley, PMCM & Owner’s Representative (Portland)

Chiara is a student at Oregon State University pursing an Architectural Engineering Bachelor’s degree. She is a current member of the Oregon Army National Guard. Chiara is an effective communicator and has held several leadership positions in the military for BCT and AIT. She has experience working for Linn County Road Department helping in county road marking and sign fabrication.

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Isaac, along with his skills and hobbies.

Isaac Parker, Structural Engineering (Vancouver)

Isaac is a student at Oregon State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He is skilled in technical writing, computer-aided design and structural analysis program. Isaac has experience tutoring various disciplines including writing, engineering classes, and college access programs. He became interested in Otak when he learned about the company’s sustainable and equitable practices in structural design which deeply resonated with him.

“The most interesting thing I have gotten to work on so far is the Clark County Railroad Bridge repair project. It has been interesting getting to inspect the bridge and help out with wetland delineation.”

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Samantha, along with her skills and hobbies.

Samantha Cornejo, Planning and Landscape Architecture (Redmond)

Samantha is a student at the University of Washington, Seattle, working on her Master of Urban Planning. Samantha has experience in planning research, data entry, code compliance, and editing agenda reports. She is skilled in QGIS, quantitative and qualitative research, and Adobe Illustrator.

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Brendan, along with his skills and hobbies.

Brendan Wedderspoon, Planning and Landscape Architecture (Redmond)

Brendan earned his Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from Boise State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Urban Planning at The University of Washington, Seattle. Brendan has skills in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Illustrator, and GIS programs including arcMap, and ArcGIS Pro. He has previous GIS and planning intern experience which allowed to work on LiMAr maps, mapbooks, contourmaps, and reviewing land use permits.

“The most interesting project that I’ve been a part of has been our partnership with the City of SeaTac to hold public engagement meetings about updates and changes to their Airport City Center District plan. I’ve been able to tackle all manner of tasks which are making me use a wide variety of skills!”

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Alex, along with his skills and hobbies.

Alex Brzezinski, Transportation & Infrastructure (Redmond)

Alex is a student at the University of Washington, Seattle, pursuing his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He has skills in the Microsoft Office Suite and AutoCAD. In addition to his civil engineering background, Alex has experience working as a basketball coach for the Home Court of Woodinville.

“The most interesting project I’ve worked on so far is the Redmond Central Connector project – construction is happening right across the road from the office. I got to attend a site meeting where all of the construction entities met to discuss some construction challenges and I appreciated getting to witness how so many groups collaborate to solve problems.“

Guidance and Multidisciplinary Exposure

One of the program’s unique strengths lies in its emphasis on mentorship. Unlike typical internships where supervisors may serve as mentors, Otak offers a totally holistic guidance system where interns are paired with experienced professionals from different practice areas. This multidisciplinary approach is facilitated by Otak’s size and structure, allowing interns to gain diverse exposure and discover their true passions through experimentation and hands-on experiences.

Throughout the internship, Otak strives to give its interns the best possible experience. Leaders from various practice areas present to interns regularly, offering career guidance, self-development opportunities, and professional brand-building insights – ensuring that each intern is equipped with the necessary tools to thrive in their chosen craft.

The Unique Otak Experience

Otak’s Internship Program differentiator lies in its two key factors – the immersive expertise sessions offered to interns, and interdisciplinary mentorship from the diverse skillsets of our team. The expertise session structure allows interns to engage in a number of meetings culminating in a presentation of their own, fostering connections with various groups and initiatives within the firm and among themselves. Just recently the interns were welcomed to Otak by our Interim CEO, Scott Dreher, and are slated to meet with members of our Transportation and Infrastructure teams, our Water and Natural Resources teams, and our Planning and Landscape team in the coming weeks.

Interns are encouraged to bounce ideas off each other and contribute to discussions where everyone gets a seat at the table. Simultaneously, mentorship from seasoned leaders provides interns with a more comprehensive professional development experience, supplementing their direct supervision with the tools to be leaders early on in their careers.

Want to Learn More?

Are you a young and aspiring designer seeking to take your first steps into the world of engineering and architecture? Are you exploring what you want to specialize in for your career? Otak is continuing our internship programming beyond our summer series and is always on the look-out for interested candidates.

If you’re ready to take your first step towards a rewarding career in engineering, architecture, design, or one of our many other practice areas, Otak’s Internship Program is where you belong. Keep track of our openings and follow us on social to keep an eye out for the opportunity to apply. A conversation with Brooke Henderson or Susan Dull on our talent acquisition team could lead to joining a team of talented interns who have already begun their transformative journey with us. Come unleash your potential to improve the built environment!

View Our Openings

Multnomah County to Build Cutting-Edge Library in East County

It’s official! Our partners at Multnomah County Library have broken ground on a state-of-the-art library in East County, promising a dynamic landmark that will transform the community’s access to learning, play, and connection. The groundbreaking ceremony for the impressive project took place on July 12, 2023, showcasing the library’s commitment to innovation and community engagement.

The future East County Library will span an impressive 95,000 square feet, making it comparable in size to Central Library in downtown Portland. The library’s strategic location will provide convenient accessibility for all residents of East County.

Otak’s PM/CM & owner’s representative team, led by Project Manager Mike Day, is proud to have a role in making this project a reality by providing owner’s representative and bond program management services in partnership with Multnomah County library.

The Road to the Perfect Site

The journey to find the ideal site for this ambitious project culminated with the purchase of the former Gresham City Hall Park and Ride (1297 NW Eastman Pkwy, Gresham) from TriMet. The collaborative agreement between Multnomah County Library and TriMet marks the end of years of extensive search efforts, ensuring the library’s placement meets the needs of the community while allowing for future transit-oriented development by TriMet. The City of Gresham will also play a role in shaping the vision for the surrounding civic space.

The groundbreaking ceremony featured Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, District 4 Commissioner Lori Stegmann, Multnomah County Library Director Vailey Oehlke, Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall, and other key members of the community. Programming also included a land blessing performed by the NARA (Native American Rehabilitation Assoc.) northwest chapter, a local non-profit group. The event celebrated the library’s role as a transformative space – bringing together the diverse population of East County.

Designed by the Community, for the Community

At the heart of the library’s design is community engagement, with insights and dreams from residents of East County driving the vision for the project. Through the Community Library Champions program, members of community organizations like El Programa Hispano Católico and Black Economic Collective worked directly with residents to gather their input and aspirations for the library.

Interior rendering of the East County Library living room. — *Rendering courtesy of Holst Architecture*

Among the exciting features inspired by community input are:

Large Auditorium: The library will house a spacious auditorium with flexible seating, catering to cultural celebrations, lectures, performances, and family programs. This multi-purpose space will be a true asset to East County, providing a venue for events that were previously unavailable in the area.
A Makerspace: A dedicated area will be provided for classes and exploration of various disciplines, from robotics to construction to 3D printing, encouraging hands-on learning and creativity.
Audio Visual Studio: The library will incorporate a top-of-the-line audio visual studio, offering users a professional-grade studio experience within the library’s premises.
Teen Space: With technology, connection, and creativity in mind, the library will feature a sizable teen space, providing an inviting environment for young people to engage with the latest technologies.
Diverse Collections: To reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of the neighborhood, the library will curate diverse collections that cater to the interests and backgrounds of its patrons.
Dedicated Family Space: The library will prioritize family-centric spaces, offering secure indoor and outdoor play and learning areas for children.
Outdoor Community Space: With an outdoor amphitheater and plaza, the library will become a central gathering place for community members, hosting music, speakers, and other events.

More than a Library

The East County Library project will go beyond providing a physical space for books and information, aiming to enrich lives and foster community connections. The building will be designed with sustainability in mind, pursuing LEED Gold certification, and incorporating eco-friendly elements such as native plants, energy-efficient systems, and the use of recycled and locally sourced materials.

Exterior rendering of the East County Library. — *Rendering courtesy of Holst Architecture*

“This new library will be beautiful, accessible, and representative of the people of East County. A public library should reflect our highest ideals and aspirations, and we are making that a reality,” said Vailey Oehlke, Director of Libraries.

The library construction process, scheduled to begin in August 2023, is estimated to cost approximately $147 million, with completion anticipated in fall 2025. As the plans for the East County Library take shape, anticipation and excitement are building within the community, marking the beginning of a new era in public libraries for Multnomah County.

For more information on the East County Library project and Multnomah County Library’s initiatives, visit their website at www.multcolib.org.

Guiding Funds and Future Goals in CTE Center Development for Sheridan School District

Posted on June 13, 2023July 10, 2025 by OTAK Team

What started as an idea of developing a School District’s local career technical education (CTE) program, quickly turned into a more expansive vision as the Sheridan School District set their sights on a building.

The challenging question that confronted Sheridan SD Superintendent Dorie Vickery Ed.D was how to raise the funds for a projected $20M project. Ongoing efforts from SEDCOR (Strategic Economic Development Corporation) whose mission is “Serving Willamette Valley’s most unique and vital industries” generated commitments in various forms from companies such as Hampton Lumber, Tectonics Tuning, Cascade Steel and Forest River manufacturing (a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary).

Looking for additional support, Superintendent Vickery enlisted the aid of Emerald Flash LLC. Led by Brent Nielsen, the group was created from the simple proposition that organizations must combine agility with clarity of purpose. “We are firmly rooted in the concepts of innovation and change management. We work with our clients to help them build a message about their passions, but then we take this further. Our focus is to help organizations create tangible proof of their intent. These proofs of concept often challenge conventional wisdom; they show a different way of doing things.”

Emerald Flash, Superintendent Vickery, and other stakeholders (including the City of Sheridan, the Sheridan Fire Department, and Program Manager Otak) have been working to secure education funding from Local, State and Federal resources. For example, after submitting an initial request to the Oregon Budget Committee for $1.9 million from the Oregon Lottery, funding came through six months later to support the building’s purchase. The school district also received additional funding from other sources including a CTE revitalization grant, Yamhill County ARPA funds, and $500,000 from the Omnibus.

Four months after receiving funding, purchase of the 24,000 square-foot facility was complete. The facility, named after former Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts, is set to be the centerpiece of developing Sheridan School District’s CTE program, which aims to cultivate local talent and opportunities for students.

What is The Barbara Roberts CTE Center?

In 2021 Sheridan School District began creating CTE pathways with the vision of experiential classes and hand-on training opportunities that are open to high school students in Sheridan and surrounding districts. The development of a collaborative, regional CTE program will encourage more students to see the connection between their education and their future while cultivating pride in the pursuit of careers that require technical and trade skills.

The Barbara Roberts Career Technical Education Center (Roberts CTEC), spearheaded by Dorie Vickery, is a 24,000 square-foot facility that aims to fully develop the program. With the help of funding from the Oregon budget committee, Yamhill County ARPA funds, and a CTE revitalization grant, the building is currently in design and early construction procurement to renovate the entire building and site.

Why Are CTE Centers Critical for Education and Today’s Workforce?

CTE centers are crucial for education as trade jobs are increasingly in demand for a workforce experiencing a skilled labor shortage. For context, the application rate for technical jobs dropped by 49% between 2020 and 2022.

The CTE center offers programs in truck driving, manufacturing/welding, fire/EMT training, and agribusiness, with graduates being able to complete high school with monetizable skills and immediately earn a profitable living. The career pathways were selected based on Oregon employment data, leading to a living wage job, and employee demands from our local industries.

Fire Science

The Fire Science program will be developed in partnership with the Sheridan Fire District. Instructors for the program will be provided by Sheridan Fire, who will also coordinate funding and resources for a training tower to be built on site. Students who successfully complete the Fire Science tract will be prepared to demonstrate competency with regards to fire suppression and will have developed skills related to working as a team, personal responsibility, and professional communication.

Rendering of the diesel tech facility at the Barbara Roberts Career Technical Education Center.

Diesel and Heavy Equipment – Truck, Logistics & Diesel Mechanics

Students who participate in the Truck Driving and Diesel Mechanics program will develop foundational driving skills, as well as specific skills using a semi-truck driving simulator. Students will also learn basic mechanics for maintenance of diesel trucks. Long-term goals for this tract include a full-scale auto body and repair program.

Students who successfully complete this tract will be prepared to obtain their Commercial Driver’s license (CDL) and have hands-on experience with operation and basic maintenance of diesel trucks. Students will also have developed skills related to record-keeping, personal responsibility, and professional communication.

Rendering of the manufacturing lab facility at the Barbara Roberts Career Technical Education Center.

Manufacturing Technology

Manufacturing will utilize existing equipment and staffing to expand opportunities for students interested in career paths based on manufacturing skills. Students participating in this tract will also learn business skills necessary to run a small business. Students who successfully complete this tract will be able to operate basic equipment and tools, and have a basic understanding of the steps involved for setting up their own small business.

Rendering of the agribusiness lab facility at the Barbara Roberts Career Technical Education Center.

Agribusiness-Sustainable Plant Science and Technology

Agribusiness will focus on sustainable farming practices and bring large-scale agriculture into the classroom setting. Local resources, including visits to local farms and mentorships with local agricultural professionals will also help students understand the variety of careers available in agriculture. Students who complete the Agricultural Business tract will have an in-depth understanding of practices in a variety of careers related to agriculture, including business/sales, hands-on farming, and professional communication.

Higher Education Certification

All CTE programs will include instruction on post-secondary opportunities through community colleges, universities, trade schools and apprenticeships. CTE Pathways will be aligned with community college and trade school requirements. Students will be able to earn some college credits while in high school, and then complete the industry certification requirements at the college level.

The Impact of CTE Center Development

Roberts CTEC is set to make a significant impact, not just on the Sheridan community, but the greater workforce of Oregon. The Center will provide high school students with CTE courses aligned to industry standards, preparing the future workforce. Participating students across the West Valley region will be equipped to enter their industries or further their education with advanced certification. Sheridan School District recognizes the combined effort of Emerald Flash, Otak, and BRIC in the fundraising, project management, and design of the CTE center.

Otak as owner’s representative is proud to be a supporter of the Roberts CTEC because of its expansive vision for empowering students to enter needed career and technical trades. If you would like to get involved in supporting this project, please contact Bob Collins, bob.collins@otak.com or Dorie Vickery, Superintendent about joining us in supporting this exciting and needed project.

Multnomah County Library Capital Bond Program

In a major transformation across their facilities, Multnomah County Library is expanding spaces and upgrading technology to benefit the community through a comprehensive capital bond program. The Otak owner’s representative team provided leadership and overall program management for the entire $450 million program.

Expanding for the Community

The library is renovating and expanding five buildings while building four more, one of which is an Operations Center for sorting materials and housing library outreach teams. The new and expanded libraries offer a wide range of features focused on representing diverse cultures through art as well as space for youth to play, study, and express themselves creatively. Altogether, the projects add more than approximately 34,000 square feet of new community space; approximately 6,500 square feet of youth space; and approximately 50,000 square feet of outdoor space. An estimated 395,000 new books and media will be going on shelves as well. Among the technology upgrades is gigabit speed internet for all libraries as well as automated materials handling designed to get patrons materials faster.

Otak Wins at DJC Top Projects Awards

Time to raise glasses at Otak! We’re happy to report three of our projects took home awards at the 2023 DJC Top Projects Gala! We’re taking a closer look into the three projects that took home some hardware, so check out the work below.

Hotel Indigo – 2nd Place (Hospitality and Other Special Purposes)

Located in Vancouver, WA with primetime views of downtown and the Columbia River, our client made it a priority take full advantage of the location. Enter a 12-story luxury condo tower with 40 units, and the boutique-style Hotel Indigo, a 138-room high-rise.

Otak provided comprehensive planning and design services for the mixed-use property, which also includes 10,000 square feet of retail and 7,700 square feet of restaurant space. The design highlights the hotel chain’s signature brand while creating an iconic destination on the prime site. A six-story atrium, second-level meeting and conference hall, rooftop bar, expansive terrace, and valet parking will provide visitors and residents with luxury amenities and an inviting setting to enjoy the riverfront festival street and parks. The hotel, one of the few Indigo properties west of the Mississippi, is within easy walking distance of downtown Vancouver.

Taking home 2nd place in the Hospitality & Other Special Purposes category, this project will provide a unique mixed-use hospitality and residential environment for visitors and residents on the Vancouver waterfront. Otak is excited to see this project come to life and earn recognition for its efforts to create a vibrant new community along the Columbia River.

Cascade Admin Building at Casino Road – 2nd Place (Tenant Improvement and Major Renovation)

Originally constructed in the 1970s, the unused two-story structure on Casino Road has found a new purpose as an administrative headquarters for a bustling transit company, Community Transit. A complete rehabilitation of the 70,000 square-foot concrete tilt panel building involved full design from our team – from programming through construction documents to ultimately becoming the new home of a number of groups’ operations.

Key to this design was an adaptive re-use project delivery method, including an upgrade to nearly all building systems to meet current building, fire protection, energy, and electrical codes. An added data facility that required enhanced security was also solved in the renovation plans. Added daylighting throughout the building is one element of this energy efficient design.

With 14 user groups set to call the admin building home, the needs of each were considered throughout the process. Through continuous visioning sessions and interviews with key stakeholders, a consensus was met in designing an open office environment that features a large, stadium style gathering space as well as a rooftop deck that offers an employee lounge and amenities.

Taking home 2nd place in the Tenant Improvement & Major Renovation category, this is another project we hang our hat on – exemplifying a dynamic relationship between community, innovation, sustainability, and quality design.

The Vancouver Clinic Salmon Creek 2 – 1st Place (Healthcare and Life Sciences)

Otak CPM is proud to be a part of this award-winning project, made possible by close teaming with our partners at: Pacific Medical Buildings, ZGF Architects, and Andersen Construction. With over 121,000 square-feet added as a apart of their three-site expansion program, The Vancouver Clinic grew its ability to provide healthcare services for communities across Southwest Washington.

Utilizing a Lean Integrated Design / Design Build approach, the Vancouver Clinic expansion designed all three facilities concurrently. The design processes were augmented by full-scale mock-ups to confirm functionality while leveraging the experiences of clinical staff and medical consultants to prioritize patient care with optimal clinic workflows.

As owner’s representative, Otak CPM was involved through the design and early site work of the Salmon Creek 2 medical office building. At the onset of the pandemic, the project delivery method changed from Design Build approach to a developer-based project with Pacific Medical Buildings (PMB). The original Design Build team of Andersen Construction and ZGF Architects was retained to construct the building in partnership with PMB, with Otak CPM remaining in an advisory role to Vancouver Clinic through the conclusion of the project.

We would like congratulate our partners: Andersen Construction, ZGF Architects, Pacific Medical Buildings, and our client Vancouver Clinic on this wonderful award.

Conference Roundup: Forging Relationships During Spring Conference Season!

We’re officially rounding out the end of Spring conference season in Oregon, where we’ve continued to form lasting partnerships, meet the clients we serve, and showcase what we’re about. We love the opportunities conferences give us to support and connect with organizations rooted in the communities we call home.

OAME and APWA Oregon, the two most recent conferences we attended, are organizations we have a long history of partnering with. Read on to find out more about each conference and hear the why behind what makes each of them so special!

OAME Conference

The 35th Annual Trade Show hosted by the all-inclusive organization, Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME) provided us with the opportunity to exchange ideas, talk to fellow partners and potential clients, and most importantly support the growth of minority-owned businesses.

We value having a presence at this conference, because enables us to show up directly for minority-run businesses and forge lasting partnerships – from prospective clients to new friends in the industry.

Complete with a booth and Otakians from engineering, architecture, marketing in full attendance, we got the chance to bring who we are to the table: a firm that listens to our communities and their local businesses and uses those connections to improve the project work we do daily.

APWA OR Conference

The American Public Works Association (APWA) is one of the most influential professional organizations in the public works field, dedicated to raising awareness about the vital role public works plays in the communities where we live. Fun fact, our own Ashley Cantlon, senior water resources engineer, is the Oregon chapter President – meaning we have a deep appreciation for our relationship with the organization.

Similarly to the OAME conference, this event allows us to be involved in one of the premier organizations for public works in the state, enabling better connections, better relationships, and better understanding of best practices and industry trends.

With a strong presence from Otak engineering leaders like Kevin Timmins, Amanda Owings, Henry Alaman, and Trista Kobluskie, we spoke with potential clients, new friends, and learned more about how we can enrich neighborhoods through the power of quality design. To mix things up a bit, we brought along a special APWA OR picture frame to encourage some photo opts!

Thank you to both these organizations for hosting us, and we can’t wait to come back next year!

Astoria Library Renovation

Funded by an $8 million bond, a full renovation of the Astoria Library added a variety of improvements while also expanding public spaces for community use and the storage of historic artifacts from the Lewis and Clark expedition. As owner’s representative, Otak managed everything from the design team to a budget with multiple funding streams and the overall project schedule through construction for the City of Astoria.

Expanding and Enhancing Public Spaces through Efficient Bond Management

Originally constructed in 1967, the Astoria Library underwent significant upgrades focused on improvements to accessibility, technology, building systems, and seismic resilience. Expanded public spaces across the 18,000 square-foot building added to an existing children’s space as well as opening the basement for a new community room and archival document storage, including artifacts from the Lewis and Clark expedition that reached this area of the Oregon coast. The project used a construction manager/general contractor (CMGC) delivery method to involve stakeholders during the design phase, streamlining processes into construction. In leveraging that delivery method, the team facilitated all public project procurement of vendors, subconsultants, as well as construction management oversight. This approach allowed city stakeholders to attend to other ongoing duties while staying informed of project progress through systematic collaboration.

Adrienne C. Nelson High School Conversion

In advancing the goal of improving student capacity across North Clackamas School District, a middle school was converted and expanded into Adrienne C. Nelson High School. In leading each element of project delivery and logistics, Otak provided full project management services in bringing the district’s vision to reality.

Expanding Education Facilities to Meet a District’s Student Capacity Goals

Named in honor of the first African American woman appointed to the Oregon Supreme Court, Adrienne C. Nelson High School received a 140,000-square-foot addition from the original middle school with funding from a successful school bond measure. The conversion project also included updates to increase building energy efficiency and student safety while improving classroom technology infrastructure for STEM and vocational education programs. New classrooms, chemistry labs, and a career center were part of a two-story classroom wing while a 600-seat auditorium highlights the performing arts wing. Athletic facilities across the 66-acre site included improvements to multiple indoor gyms and weight rooms while new outdoor facilities added tennis courts, a football stadium with track and covered bleachers, a press box, and varsity baseball field.

McGilchrist Street Arterial Improvements

As a major east/west arterial, McGilchrist Street carries significant traffic volumes for the area surrounding Salem, Oregon. The corridor, which provides a vital connection to downtown access as well as I-5 via Highway 22, would undergo multiple phases across three segments of roadway improvements aimed at traffic, railway, bicyclist, and pedestrian use. In leading the roadway design, Otak prepared a corridor analysis and feasibility study, as well as the engineering design and stream analysis to accommodate multiple creek crossings.

Roadway Design Intersects Stream Analysis for an Improved Corridor and Fish Habitat

The roadway design of McGilchrist Street traverses existing railroad tracks along with crossings at Clark Creek as well as the East and West Forks of Pringle Creek. Widening throughout the corridor with additional turn lanes at major intersections featuring new traffic signals – including the realignment of the 22nd Street intersection to a four-leg intersection – aim to reduce traffic congestion while bike facilities including a 10-foot-wide protected cycle track and pedestrian crossings encourage active transportation. In facilitating multiple creek crossings as well as widening of an at-grade track crossing for a Union Pacific Railroad mainline, stream analysis also identified solutions to alleviate bank over-topping and chronic flooding from the creek channel onto adjacent properties and over the existing roadway. Two culverts – including three-sided culvert with a natural bottom to accommodate the road widening – along with large wood debris add to this approach while also improving fish passage and habitat.

Waterleaf Building Affordable Housing

In improving the supply of affordable housing options found in Portland, Oregon, the BRIDGE Waterleaf Building adds 178 units for families in the River Place neighborhood. With a unique shared post-tension podium deck and common parking garage with an adjacent building, the Otak team guided this project to completion as owner’s representative.

Managing the Addition of Affordable Housing with Community-Focused Amenities

Consisting of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, the 155,649 square-foot Waterleaf Building is integrated into the heart of Portland’s urban community. Adjacent to public transit at a streetcar stop, the building also features a number of community-focused amenities from a ground floor gathering space and community kitchen to an adjoining exterior courtyard which includes a children’s playground. The community room aims to facilitate a number of uses including resident meetings and a variety of events while free Wi-Fi is found throughout the common areas. An adjoining Resident Services office creates accessibility to management by residents while two community laundry rooms, and trash/recycling rooms are found on each floor of the building.