At the beginning of 2021, it was predicted that retail vacancies would continue to rise. We’ve heard a lot about the need to rethink functionality and interior space, etc., but what about the Main Street, the ground-level storefronts that are longing to have tenants? Maybe there is opportunity in the openings. I recently read an …
I’ve written a couple of times about changing parking needs. I read this most interesting article recently on the different ways cities are rethinking the means and methods of parking, and the why behind the movement. Did you know that in U.S. cities, parking occupies approximately a third of land area? It’s estimated that nationwide, …
While the CPI has risen about 5% over the last 12 months–the highest increase in decades–the 30-year T bills are hovering just north of 2%. One has to wonder why folks outside the construction industry are not more concerned. Someone explained it to me like this: Have you ever been to a football game and …
At a Phoenix CenterBuild Conference many years ago, I heard something that has resonated with me ever since. “Success is about finding the right customers and keeping them.” One of the things I’m most proud of is having a series of customer relationships who we work with regularly. While our company welcomes and truly enjoys …
People come first. It’s one thing to know that truth and another to put it into practice daily. Over the years, I’ve struggled with putting my head down too far into my work, and neglecting to set aside time for the people on our team, even if it’s just to visit. I think I’m getting …
This week was my first trip on a commercial flight in 15 months, and it sure did feel good. I traveled to Denver to meet up with my FMI peer group, which consists of construction leaders from around the country in non-competing markets. We meet twice a year to discuss what we are seeing and …
Last evening, I had attended a presentation given by someone I hadn’t had the chance to meet just yet. After the presentation, I found her in the crowd, tapped her on the shoulder and told her how much I enjoyed what she had to say. I make it a point to do this whenever someone’s …
“If only I knew then what I know now, I would have done things differently,” is probably something many of us have said more often than we wish to admit. In my own life, I have at times found myself so concentrated in the future, that I have had a tendency to forget about the …
The pandemic didn’t necessarily lay the groundwork for changes in retail, but it was a disrupter for sure. In-store, there are more cashless transactions and curbside pickup. For the short term, success will require adapting. Within our retail division, we recently completed a Best Buy store that flips the traditional concept. This hybrid model drastically …
We recently completed an adaptive reuse office project in an area that is both urban and residential. The owner wanted to ensure that site lighting was functional, attractive and minimally intrusive. We ended up going with the Limelight outdoor lighting control system by Lutron using LED fixtures by Cree. Limelight is a wireless lighting system …
We have all gone through more in the last year than we would have ever imagined possible. If there is anything I have learned, it is to stay nimble and be thankful. There are things in life that one can prepare for, and others that require you to think on your feet. It seems like …
Serving on the board of DesignAlabama for the last few years has been a great privilege. The organization is all about purposeful design, making wise choices and thus creating better communities. Each year, we host the Alabama Mayor’s Design Summit, where mayors from 5 moderate size towns or cities come together to discuss a design …