President's Corner:

 

New Year, New Era, New Opportunities

 

"Beyond mitigating impacts, there is potential in every project to be innovative beyond our specific program and property lines. Contextual planning and master planning have proven to SAVE time and money for clients and agencies willing to invest in this process up front.  Size, improving the environment, neighbor's lives, travel patterns, and businesses are all components of this planning process and inevitably yield economic and social benefits for our clients and the communities they serve. Where some may find problems, opportunities are revealed."

 

-Michael Fishman

 Urban Answers

 

To bolster the economy and create projects that positively impact our communities, we recommend starting with a master plan.  Think contextually on all levels.  How does the sink fit in the kitchen, the house on the site within the neighborhood?  How does the office fit in the building, the building on the campus?  How does a retail store fit in the ‘mall’ or a grocery store as an anchor tenant in a multi-use project?  Individuals, companies and municipalities currently own an abundance of land.  How can we maximize the potential for these properties given the current economy?  We can embrace the opportunity to treat our projects globally; a master plan attitude, stepping outside of our current comfort zone.  This will allow us to properly focus on land development and creatively encourage growth and prosperity.

 

-Barron Schimberg

 LEED AP