We’re delighted to share some additional award wins – this time for our project work in the Puget Sound region. The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Washington has awarded two projects from our bridge engineering team with Silver and Gold-level recognition!
ACEC Washington represents the gold standard for the business of engineering in Washington state, creating an environment that encourages quality, safe, impactful, and sustainable solutions for both the built and natural environments. They are the leading organization for promoting engineering companies through professional knowledge and exceptional services for communities across the state, and we’re grateful to be recognized on behalf of our teams who accomplished this award-winning work.
Learn more about each winning project on their respective project pages, and hear directly from our clients on what makes these wins so special.
Dungeness River Bridge – Best in State Gold Award: Social, Economic, and Sustainable Design Considerations
As the firm providing lead design consulting services, bridge engineering, architecture and landscape architecture, and building structural engineering, our approach to this project was creating a space where critical infrastructure and the environment’s natural surroundings intersect. This created a meaningful and useful finished product for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe based on their input and desired outcomes:
“Aesthetically and functionally, the bridge is superb. We are thrilled with the innovative wishbone design, and the flow of traffic merges and splits seamlessly. The Tribe routinely receives rave reviews about the bridge from trail and Nature Center users.”
– Randy Johnson, Habitat Program Manager for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe
Willapa Littell Bridge – Best in State Silver Award: Successful Fulfillment of Owner/Client Needs
As prime consultant on this project – Otak performed a variety of essential services including project management, survey, environmental services, bridge and civil engineering, landscape architecture, stormwater management, and CMI work. The challenge for the client was mitigating safety hazards thanks to a highly popular trail combined with a dangerous at-grade crossing on a high-speed state highway while addressing aesthetic concerns among community members. With special thanks to our partners in overcoming speed bumps on the way to final delivery, the project now stands as a testament to innovative engineering that not only functions well, but is also a sight to behold:
“Constructing a 250’ span bridge over a busy highway with little to no lay down/staging area was a challenging endeavor. Otak produced a design that satisfied permit requirements, design requirements, and was aesthetically pleasing, definitely exceeding our expectations.”
– Tim Bell, Project Manager for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
View the rest of the winners on the Seattle DJC’s official website here, along with their write up on the Dungeness Bridge and river restoration here!
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.
Field Notes is a recurring series where impactful aspects of projects are brought into focus from the field, along with the people who make it possible.
Land surveying is an ever-evolving profession, with data acquisition and measurement tools continuously becoming obsolete as they are replaced with faster, more accurate, safer, and more efficient tools. One such tool involves the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), or what’s more generally known as a “drone”. When paired with a sensor (aka payload) the drone becomes an unmanned aerial system (UAS), capable of capturing unique perspectives from otherwise unreachable vantage points.
In the survey and mapping industry, drones have grown to be safer, less expensive, and easier to operate. Gone are the days of creating your own drones, control systems, payloads, and controllers to tailor an unmanned aerial system (UAS) to a project’s particular needs. The result of a drone survey today can provide aerial imagery, point cloud data, and ultimately data that allows for map creation and digital terrain modeling. Just as important, a drone survey also allows us to obtain a perspective of the overall context of a site in a way that is immediately understandable by non-surveyors.
In this piece, we’ll examine exactly what a drone survey is, what it’s capable of, and how it leads to more informed projects from design through construction.
Drone surveying is the art of mapping areas of land using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. Drones carrying cameras or sensors (known as “payloads”) are used to capture data that can be turned into images ranging from the visual spectrum to infrared or point clouds utilizing LiDAR (Light Detecting and Ranging).
Modern drones can be deployed quickly and safely, providing images and videos in different formats, perspectives, and angles. Drone images and videos can be used to create maps, orthomosaics (aka “aerial photos”), and help users better view and understand view corridors.
The Science of Turning Data into 2D and 3D Models
In processing what’s captured during a drone survey, flat, 2D photos are used to create 3D models and obtain a digital terrain model of a site. How? Through a technique called structure from motion (SfM).
Structure from motion is a photogrammetric technique for estimating three-dimensional structures from two-dimensional image sequences. It is based on the principle that if we know the position and orientation of a drone’s camera when images are taken, we can use corresponding features to compare overlapping images as the drone has moved to reconstruct a 3D structure of area.
The SfM process works by first finding matching features in different images of the same scene. These features can be anything from corners of buildings to leaves on trees. Once the matching features are found, the software can use them to estimate the position and orientation of the camera for each image. With the camera positions known, the software can then reconstruct the 3D structure of the scene.
Drone Survey and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
A drone survey also naturally lends itself to Geographic Information System (GIS) applications. For the practice of mapping and analyzing geographically referenced information, the perspective and data obtained from a drone can significantly streamline that process.
The ability to produce this accurate and information-rich view of a given area has widespread benefits for a variety of projects. For instance, UAV captured data can be used in GIS for anything from modeling post-fire debris flow potential or avalanche terrain risk studies to view shed studies for planning and architecture projects. It can also have major applications in environmental design including the analysis of river morphology and water turbidity, plant species and land cover classification, advanced wetland identification modeling, and many more.
[Interactive] Slider in ArcGIS Showing Water Level Change Over Time
Why Use a Drone Survey – An Essential Component of Upkeep, Planning, and the Design Through Construction Process
The world isn’t a static place, and neither are the uses for drone imagery. While the prevailing usage is to create a map or aerial photo of a site once, mapping how that site changes over time is another very valuable application. Whether it be monitoring how plantings are growing, or tracking how woody debris and boulders may move seasonally in a stream restoration project, recording change over time reveals how well the project stands up to the elements of nature and time.
As the field has evolved, many manufacturers are building UAS specifically for land surveying uses – “metric” cameras for high accuracy, high resolution photography and LiDAR to name a couple. Advances in battery life, carrying capacity, and overall capabilities have rapidly accelerated while costs have come down and piloting has become more intuitive.
Drone surveys can provide highly-accurate data with a level of detail that is not possible with traditional surveying methods over wider areas. This is because drones can fly closer to the ground and take more photographs, which can then be stitched together to create a detailed 3D model of the survey area. Whereas traditional surveying methods require intention to map every specific item with a survey field crew, with a drone, you get all the items in your photo and then decide what to include in your map.
Cost-Effectiveness
Drone surveys are typically less expensive than traditional surveying methods, as they require fewer personnel and less equipment. Additionally, drone surveys can be completed much more quickly than traditional surveys, which can further reduce costs.
Efficiency
Drone surveys may be completed much faster than traditional surveys. This is because drones can cover large areas of land in a short period of time. The approach also opens the door to a wider variety of project sites as drone surveys can be conducted in areas that are difficult or dangerous to access using traditional methods.
Safety
All work done with drones for commercial purposes must be flown or overseen by a Remote Pilot in Charge having their FAA Part 107 UAS Remote Pilot License. Drone surveys are much safer than traditional surveys, as they do not require surveyors to put themselves in dangerous situations. For example, drone surveys can be used to survey areas that are otherwise inaccessible. This could be due to steep terrain, failing infrastructure, dangerous lake or river crossings, or areas with hazardous materials among a host of other reasons.
Drawbacks to Drone Survey: Airspace, Weather, and Logistical Limitations
The drawbacks of surveying with drones generally come down to airspace restrictions. There are limitations on where and how high drones can fly in areas around secure locations such as airports. Weather also comes into play. Clouds must not be too close to the ground, and wet ground may be too reflective and shiny to create acceptable imagery for mapping.
While the costs associated with surveying – as well as drone technology – continue to reduce, the process still involves highly-skilled individuals using very advanced and expensive equipment. Each survey crew has a sophisticated setup, including their truck/mobile office – and for this reason, survey field crews are costly. They also often need to be scheduled weeks if not months in advance. Unfortunately, this doesn’t allow for rapid deployment to capture an ephemeral situation or event, such as a flood, moving slide, or traffic conditions. However, there are situations where a decent drone and a Part 107 pilot can be deployed to a site rapidly if needed, at a much lower cost than a traditional field crew.
Does this mean traditional ground mapping is no longer needed? Not at all. In addition to the limitations noted above, ground cover, tree canopy, and the ability of an experienced survey crew to discern the existence and location of objects that might be under a few leaves, or a thin layer of sand or mulch won’t be replaced anytime soon.
Orthomosaic Mapping and the Drone Capture Process
Orthomosaics are large, dimensionally correct photos made up of hundreds or even thousands of individual photos of a site. Utilizing software to create these images, they provide a surprisingly accurate view of planimetric features.
When using drones to create a mapping product, there are a number of steps to ensure that the resulting product meets the accuracy needs of project.
[Watch] Drone Survey Flight Footage at Manley Road
Mission Planning
To maximize the resulting imagery from a drone survey, there are numerous factors to consider during mission planning. Critical aspects often include determining the best time of day, anticipating low wind conditions, cloud cover, and less congestion from parked vehicles or pedestrians. Ensuring the controller and UAV are up to date on software, firmware, and airspace maps, and that the drone is physically in tip-top condition with charged batteries is vital prior to every flight. Determining the optimal height above ground for the UAV to fly, the overlap and number of images, the specific UAS to be used, and the direction and rate of travel of the drone while acquiring images all add to the considerations when planning a flight mission.
Establishing Ground Control Points (GCP’s)
Small marks are made throughout the site, visible in the drone images, that have specific coordinates and elevations associated with consistent locations on these marks. These may be “T”’s or “L”’s or “X”’s made with tape, or circles with the classic survey pattern of opposing quarters. Depending on the site size and elevation change, there may be 7 to 10 of these used to control the data, and 3 to 4 that are used to check it. The resulting map can only be as accurate as the least accurate control point, quality survey equipment and great care in this process is essential to establish these stations.
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Flight
If all the planning was done properly, the flight is mainly about safety, safety, and safety. Immediately prior to a mission, the pilot must plan ahead to mitigate distractions, disruptions, and disputes that may arise while the mission is underway.
While a UAS can be programmed to literally fly itself , the pilot is on hand to at least ensure safe flight operations from the moment they arrive on-site to the time they depart. While the UAS is in flight, the pilot needs to give their full attention to the safe operation of the drone. Pilots need to look out for other craft entering their airspace and track that the drone is acquiring the correct number and type of images that it is programmed to capture.
Post Processing
The images, sometimes as many as two thousand, are loaded into software. What’s known as a photogrammetry module (both the module and software package can run thousands of dollars) is designed specifically for the kind of mapping needed on a particular project. There are a variety of options when it comes to post processing software packages with some better designed for different types of drone survey applications.
Mapping Creation
The process can also be taken a step further by creating a photographic point cloud, which allows us to create a digital terrain model and obtain the heights of items above the ground such as buildings, wire elevations, and trees. Point cloud data may be used simply for map quality control or to supplement field surveying with 2D items such as paint striping or concrete patterns. But it can also be used to create mapping in inaccessible areas or areas that would be dangerous to map with traditional means. While most surveying won’t rely solely on drone data, it can be an essential tool in all these areas.
Structure from Motion is used to create a 3D model of everything within the images. This is then cleaned up and items that are irrelevant to the project are removed. The clean data can then be used to create linework and digital terrain model (DTM) features (i.e., objects found on the surface area) which are transferred into AutoCAD for final mapping and drafting.
Many times, land surveying work is performed to create a basemap of a location so engineers and architects can design improvements or new uses for that site. But what if the goal is to simply have a record of what is there rather than to immediately improve it? This is where mapping that may require a lower accuracy than “survey grade” may be what is needed.
In simply documenting a project visually from a unique perspective, drone-based photography and mapping really shines. When overseen, controlled, and quality checked by a land surveyor, the resulting mapping from a drone mission will be as accurate and reliable as possible. This data can be used to create GIS datasets that track locations of site improvements, utilities, and other features.
Ultimately drones give surveyors the ability to visualize unique project perspectives, capture otherwise unobtainable viewpoints, and document site conditions in a way that can’t easily be accessed.
A Multidisciplinary Approach Supported by a Complete Survey Team
While the Otak UAV program is hosted through our land surveying group, the use of drones extends much further. From marketing and comprehensive project management to water resources engineering and construction management and inspection, the full breadth of multidisciplinary expertise can benefit from data obtained through drone imagery and video. Drones are an increasingly valuable part of our industry, and their usage and value will continue to be discovered and utilized for years to come.
While an exciting tool that provides capabilities not before available to land surveyors, UAV-based mapping is still just one of several advanced tools Otak has to map features above, on, and below the surface of the earth. Whether a project requires UAVs, terrestrial scanning, bathymetric mapping, traditional mapping, or nearly any other mapping means, Otak’s land surveying and GIS personnel are equipped with the tools and expertise to get the project done right.
More award wins at Otak! We’re happy to share that this fall the Wade Creek Restoration project was the recipient of two awards!
Otak would like to thank the City of Estacada, Greenworks, and Pacific Habitat services for their partnerships on delivering this project to the benefit of the community of Clackamas County.
Read more about the project and the awards below!
What Were the Awards?
State Land Board Award – Stream Category
Led by Greenworks, the restoration of Wade Creek was at the heart of the city’s multi-year effort to address problems with the pond while also creating better connection with the surrounding community. Work included restoring the historic course of the creek to provide improved passage for salmon species throughout their life cycle, adding native plants along the bank to shade and cool the creek, and eliminating steep slopes to create a working floodplain.
The restoration project also added accessible walking trails and a boardwalk to the adjacent park and public library, an amphitheater and community gathering space, stormwater rain gardens, and a pollinator garden. Along with benefiting the environment surrounding the creek, these crucial additions and improvements to accessibility increased the area’s overall sense of community.
John Van Staveren of Pacific Habitat Services was integral to both the completion of the project and the submittal of the Land Board Award, so we would like to extend special thanks to him and the greater firm for all his work advocating for the project.
You can read the press release on the Land Board award win from the Oregon Department of State Lands here.
Oregon ASLA – Honor Award
Also submitted and led by our partners at Greenworks, architects tapped Wade Creek as a Project of Honor at the annual Oregon American Society of Landscape Architects awards banquet for the collaborative and environmentally conscious What method in which it was delivered..
Read more about Wade Creek on our project page, and we’re pleased to have worked on such a transformative and community-driven project.
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!
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.
For something as inherently valuable as education, the means for updating its facilities are often less than straightforward.
The process for improving education community assets often relies on many steps over a complex timeline that involves a variety of different stakeholders. Education professionals typically maintain full schedules in keeping their schools functioning as well as possible. With so many complex and moving parts, many organizations benefit from partnering with a bond program manager with the technical expertise to ensure a bond management process runs smoothly alongside typical operations.
In this piece, we’ll examine the elements of a successful school bond program and the role of an owner’s representative, or bond program manager plays in supporting the client.
A school bond program is a form of financing for capital construction projects that many communities rely on for improving their facilities. The projects that comprise a bond program can range from new construction or facilities renovation to addressing deferred maintenance. The cost for these often exceeds typical operating budgets so additional funds are sought from voters in general elections.
Falling into the category of general obligation (GO) bonds, school bonds are generally funded by leveraging property taxes, proposed during general elections. Beyond just improving the built environment for students, teachers, and the community – or in supporting the longevity of an asset – to pass bonds school districts must be thoughtful and strategic about the needs and interests of their community and appeal to those voters.
Bonds may focus on life, fire, safety, and ADA concerns. Some will also address more targeted goals like seismic improvements, pedagogy, or curriculum advancements such as career-technical education facilities. At their heart, bond programs and their passage are an expression of public trust by taxpayers.
Use of bond funds is also subject to financial management and procurement requirements established by state and local municipalities. In many states, additional grants and “match” funding are also available to help taxpayer dollars go farther to support education.
No two school bond programs are the same. Some bonds may be focused on one or a few projects, while others may touch every school within the district’s portfolio. Depending on the size and complexity, a bond may be conceived with multiple projects, budgets, and project teams. It may involve multi-phasing to prepare interim facilities and swing spaces ahead of final projects.
To account for this variety and unanticipated conditions that can arise during construction, successful program management requires experience in facilities, design, educational paradigms, administration, all phases of construction project management, managing multiple levels of stakeholders, team leadership, and community relations.
How are Bond Programs Similar?
With unique goals and requirements, each school bond program will require processes tailored to their specifications. However, there are a number of key elements that are common denominators with any successful program.
A priority for any school bond program is maximizing the impact of locally approved funding by preserving as much money as possible for the projects themselves.
Part of this effort may involve minimizing overhead, but it’s important to consider the big picture as the greatest savings are found in efficiencies throughout the process. For example, a 1–3% upfront investment in pre-planning work can result in much lower costs over the full lifecycle of the project. This is one area where a program manager can have the most value.
In pre-planning, a school district may have identified immediate and long-range needs, but determining the best solutions to meet district needs can be guided and facilitated by the program manager.
A crucial step for any school bond program is often one of the first. In selecting a project – and even prior to it – extensive planning begins with the identification of long-range district goals. This process can include focused due diligence such as facility assessments and enrollment forecasting needs (over at least 10 years), and eventually lead to project selection itself. Without these steps, projects may be compromised by short-sightedness or even subject to future rework if they are not considered in the context of a larger plan.
According to a study by Autodesk, poor schedule management is cited by 68% of project trades as the main cause of decline in worker productivity. Experience in construction management and front-end planning of a bond’s budget, scope, and timeframe components can help design the best execution strategy that maximizes approved funding impact. With this breadth of experience and knowledge, a bond program manager will be able to provide cost projections and cost-benefit analyses for potential project scenarios, and advising as such when a District is determining whether to renovate and upgrade existing facilities or initiate new construction.
In this stage of the school bond program, standardizing processes also provides the opportunity to bring together key project players and establish consensus in planning. Clear expectations for input and decision making need to be established to secure trust with these stakeholders so they can constructively engage in the design/construction process. From public engagement stakeholders and consultants to bond counsel and legal representation, coordination between the complete team early on can be an essential step in collecting necessary information to help inform project scope.
While establishing internal planning for anticipated projects is essential, they will not move forward without determining what the tax base will support. Knowing what taxpayers in the district can afford and what they value or view as necessary is key. To answer these questions, studies and polling can help tailor the dollar amount and scope of work before being put out for a vote. In-person meetings where community groups are represented can be essential engagement tools to connect with potential community champions and identify any initial dissenting opinions. Educating the public about bond goals and outcomes to garner support is also an essential investment.
After the bond’s passage, the real work begins to engage the many stakeholders invested in the success of a project including students/teachers/school-based staff, district personnel, and the partners/community members that may also use the facilities.
With a high level of scrutiny on expenditure of bond funds, districts should consider establishing an external oversight committee to observe the process. Typically comprised of interested community members, a bond manager will support the selection and engagement of the oversight committee to identify potential expertise that may be useful for supporting the bond and preparing reporting and presentations for their review across the bond’s duration.
At the end of the day, voters will want to know why a bond is needed: does it provide the best solution; what will it cost; can they afford it; and how will life continue in the meantime? To answers these questions and gain taxpayer support, a bond campaign will need to be outlined and implemented.
Strong Execution – Project Delivery, Documentation and Reporting
At the core of any successful school bond program is execution and delivery. While that may seem obvious, the path to effectively managing these steps is often anything but. Research of construction planning efficiency and delivery times by Wrike found that project planners typically have only a 58% accuracy rate when predicting delivery dates. These inconsistencies can have major impacts on staff, operations, and even student safety. In keeping complex school bond processes on track, documentation and reporting is key.
From start to finish, workflows and protocols are essential to facilitating review, approvals, and overall decision making. From augmenting project management resources at the outset of a project to setting consistent system specifications for maintenance following project completion, the establishment of strong document control and management systems helps ensure nothing slips through the cracks. The ability to quickly reference and produce consistent records also streamlines what can be complex legal processes.
When it comes to capital improvement projects, managing public contracts within a school bond requires an understanding of public procurement laws as they pertain to architectural design, engineering, construction, and consulting contracts. Contracts in the public sector are more complicated than the private sector and tend to have higher levels of scrutiny and oversight—every expenditure requires public justification. Ultimately, strong documentation and reporting in the school bond process prepares stakeholders throughout project delivery to help ensure staff needs are met and the safety of students is prioritized.
Setting Transition, Turnover and Community Use Expectations
While it’s easy to get swept away in the planning, engagement, and execution of school facility improvements, it’s important to remember that while the project itself is underway, life goes on. An important factor that is often, but should not be, overlooked is how people and programs are transitioned. This is because, as all educators are aware: the kids come back.
“We have seen projects come to completion, the owner moves in, and then it takes another 18 months before they know how to operate the building.”
– Henry Alaman, Otak Senior VP
Eighteen months is not atypical in a complex new facility where the existing facilities employees are not familiar with the new technology, systems, or equipment. To ensure the transition is seamless, all staff should receive the tools and training necessary to operate the building. Additionally, documents (drawings, plans, manuals, etc.) should be provided and stored electronically so they can be easily accessed.
Even the most well-established timelines and plans need to be prepared for unforeseen challenges. As a project progresses, the need to adapt is often inevitable. The ability to anticipate these challenges and quickly resolve them in the form of change management also becomes an important factor where the experience of an owner’s representative can prove invaluable.
Taking a Multidisciplinary Approach to Augmenting the Bond Process
Delivering a school bond, no matter the scale, is a complex process and a program manager isn’t successful without operating in an owner’s representative capacity. The ability to coalesce diverse sets of expertise from different team members and align them with individual client goals is essential to bringing the work and the promises made to the community to fruition.
As a multi-disciplinary firm, Otak provides a unique combination of program, bond, and construction management expertise, as well as knowledge and understanding of public procurement laws governing bond spending, local industry, and market knowledge. Our firm has proudly worked with many urban and rural school districts in bond development and delivery. Check out some of that work below!
In the realm of preserving our natural treasures and offering exceptional recreational experiences, the practice of Visitor Use Management (VUM) has taken center stage. This practice, critical in balancing the conservation of our public lands with the enhancement of visitor’s experiences, has gained momentum as increasing visitation to these landscapes becomes the new norm.
To address this growing challenge,the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) recently hosted a workshop focused on Visitor Use Management. SORP has a forty-year history of fostering collaboration among outdoor recreation professionals through similar events that attract state, federal, and local land managers, as well as university researchers, and professional consultants. Among the topics this year, was the growing application of Visitor Use Management.
From left to right, Erin Hanczyk (NYSDEC), Abbie Larkin (Otak), Sara Hart (NYSDEC), and Steve Lawson (Otak) respond to questions following their presentation on the active NYSDEC VUM Project
What is the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals?
The Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals, or SORP, serves as a vital hub for individuals passionate about safeguarding parks and protected areas while promoting sustainable outdoor recreation. With a vision to create sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities for all, a mission to advance the outdoor recreation profession through leadership, and a commitment to values centered on integrity and inclusivity, SORP plays a crucial role in shaping the future of outdoor experiences.
This year, SORP hosted a workshop at Acadia National Park centered on Visitor Use Management, drawing over 140 virtual and in-person participants from across the United States and Canada. Attendees delved into case studies, engaged in discussions about challenges and opportunities in implementing VUM, and explored avenues for mutual support and knowledge-sharing among a community of practice. The event provided a unique platform for practitioners to exchange ideas and best practices, advancing the field of Visitor Use Management.
A Case Study on Implementing Visitor Use Management in New York State
A process map developed for the NYSDEC VUM project, depicting project milestones along a timeline
Among the notable speakers at the event were Otak’s Steve Lawson and Abbie Larkin, key members of our Visitor Use Planning and Management (VUPM) team. Together, with representatives from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), they co-presented an Otak case study detailing their work in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.
The presentation outlined Otak’s approach to implement the Visitor Use Management Framework in key areas of the parks experiencing increasing visitor use pressure. The case study emphasized the need for a proactive and structured approach to address the challenges stemming from rising visitation numbers, changing visitor expectations, and the imperative to prioritize resource protection and promote sustainable recreation.
The shared information sheds light on the transition from a reactive and disjointed approach to a systematic, data-driven, and holistic process for sustainable visitor use management. Key components of the approach include internal planning workshops, public outreach, and stakeholder engagement opportunities that reflect the Visitor Use Management Framework.
By collecting data on visitor use levels along roadways, in parking areas, on trails, and at key destinations, and data on visitor use patterns, experiences, and perceptions, this project will assess current conditions related to visitors’ experiences and public safety. The project also provides the basis for evaluating the relationship between recreation use and impacts, and ultimately the development of adaptable, long-term visitor use management strategies.
The Takeaway: Building Familiarity with the Visitor Use Management Process
Visitor Use Management is a thriving field with immense potential to shape the future of outdoor recreation. We’re excited to partner with organizations like SORP that share a commitment to growing the field and promoting the use of the Visitor Use Management framework. These events provide unique opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing with the growing community of practice while creating the space for new ideas and connections to form.
The event also proved to be valuable for organizations learning about the RFP process by the State of New York, offering a glimpse into the practicalities of initiating Visitor Use Management projects while also being introduced to our team as well as other professional consultants. As leaders in this field, Otak will continue to share ideas and address visitor use challenges at sites across the country and beyond, to ensure a sustainable and enjoyable outdoor experience for all.
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.
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.
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.
He approaches every project with a holistic view of sustainability that encompasses social wellbeing, environmental preservation and restoration, economic development, and a project’s lifetime resilience to future long-term environmental and economic conditions.
What is Envision?
According to the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, Envision is a framework that helps communities cut greenhouse gas emissions, create good-paying green jobs, address environmental justice, and meet climate-change targets that works much like LEED when it comes to construction of buildings. The key difference between Envision and LEED is Envision applies the framework to a multitude of project types spanning the public infrastructure spectrum, and is becoming increasingly popular when it comes to sustainable and resilient project delivery.
The framework provides a flexible system of criteria and performance objectives to aid decision makers and help project teams identify sustainable, resilient, and equitable approaches. It works at all levels of a project’s lifecycle – during the planning, design, and construction phases.
What is an Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP)?
An ENV SP is essentially an expert in the Envision framework — a professional that has demonstrated their knowledge in making projects sustainable and just from the planning to final delivery stages. Through the credential, Envision recognizes and brings attention to individuals trained and dedicated to developing more sustainable infrastructure.
When asked about his achievement, Charles humbly expressed his happiness and pride. He sees these credentials as a reflection of his passion for creating a greener and more sustainable future. An enthusiasm for continuous learning and personal growth makes him a true asset to Otak and an inspiration to his colleagues.
Real World Applications: Monroe Ave Stormwater Infiltration Facility for the City of Renton
Charles’ passion for sustainable development and his accreditation complement each other, fostering innovation and environmentally responsible practices. This can be seen firsthand on the Monroe Ave Stormwater Infiltration Facility Project for the City of Renton – a remarkable $15-20 million endeavor set for construction in late 2023.
Through an improved stormwater conveyance system utilizing multiple stage stormwater treatment prior to full infiltration of stormwater runoff from the contributing 250-acre basin, the project showcases his dedication to creating sustainable solutions that positively impact the community, and it’s a testament to Charles’s ingenuity and his ability to implement environmentally friendly strategies without compromising on quality.
Take a closer look at the project here, courtesy of the City of Renton, to learn more!
As we look to the future, Charles Dewey’s expertise and dedication will undoubtedly continue to drive positive change within Otak and beyond. His work stands as a testament to the power of sustainability and innovation in shaping a better world for all. We’re proud to have Charles as part of our team and can’t wait to see what incredible projects he’ll contribute to next!
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experience, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
As the firm providing lead design consulting services, bridge engineering, architecture and landscape architecture, and building structural engineering, our approach to this project was creating a space where critical infrastructure and the environment’s natural surroundings intersect. This created a meaningful and useful finished product for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe based on their input and desired outcomes:
As prime consultant on this project – Otak performed a variety of essential services including project management, survey, environmental services, bridge and civil engineering, landscape architecture, stormwater management, and CMI work. The challenge for the client was mitigating safety hazards thanks to a highly popular trail combined with a dangerous at-grade crossing on a high-speed state highway while addressing aesthetic concerns among community members. With special thanks to our partners in overcoming speed bumps on the way to final delivery, the project now stands as a testament to innovative engineering that not only functions well, but is also a sight to behold: 
What Were the Awards?
