Weather models get it right most of the time. Every once in a while, a forecast misses the mark, as happened this week in Birmingham, Atlanta, and in between. We were expecting only a light dusting of snow, with any significant impact headed south of us. Midday, the weather pattern veered north and the roads iced within …
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking to Auburn University’s Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) Class of 2015. MRED is a post graduate track offered jointly by the University’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction and the College of Business. It is led by Professor Michael Robinson. The program is aimed at practicing professionals from both the public and private sectors of the industry, generally …
For the last nine years, I have spent the second weekend of my year at the Sewanee–The University of the South, participating in a solid program called Beyond the Gates. About 30 of us spend two days visiting with seniors, sharing what to expect in the job market, how to get a job and how their …
I was reminded back around Christmas that most of our work is still a people’s business. In the retail sector, no matter how hard the electrons try, they cannot replicate a warm “hello,” and personal interaction. It seems like competing with the online market is making bricks and mortar stores try a little harder. Best …
Recently, it seems unseasonably cold and wet weather has been affecting our job sites, impacting our concrete and masonry work the most. The question: What are reasonable, cost effective measures to keep things going? Sometimes the most practical approach is to adjust the schedule of the project to align the most resilient time periods with …
On Christmas morning, my 21-year-old daughter, who is home from college, asked me and her sister if we had seen this video: She said she had watched it several times, and I can see why. It’s a simple story of a family on Christmas day. There’s no dialogue, just music and “Happy Holidays” text at the …
Most years, things slow down around Christmas. Many people take time off to be with family, and the last two weeks of December are usually touch and go. Except this year. Five days before Christmas, we still have phones ringing, email notifications chiming and bids churning. From our boots on the ground perspective, it seems …
Organizational structure. It’s something I have struggled with over the last few years, seeking just the right approach. I’ve observed that some in the industry have thick playbooks, and some have no playbooks at all. Others claim they are team players within their companies, but reality is, the “boss” never holds a rifle. A recent visit …
We’ve been involved in various types of permeable pavement over the years and recently learned of a new “tool” from the toolbox. Pervious Interlocking Concrete Paver Systems (PICP) can be a great asset for use in sidewalks and lower impact traffic areas. According to this trade organization, a PICP system is comprised of a layer of concrete …
I must admit that I had never heard the term “pay it forward” until earlier this week. To those not familiar, the idea is that when someone does a good deed, you repay it by helping someone else. With Thanksgiving at hand, it seemed a most appropriate thing to hear. At the conclusion of a …
I’m on the Auburn University Research Advisory Board, which meets twice a year. About three weeks ago, we had a chance to visit the athletic facilities, and among several there, I had a conversation with head football coach Gus Malzahn. Beyond the academics, Auburn is similar to other great schools in their athletic programs and the …
Each quarter, I meet with a handful of real estate and construction executives to discuss what we’re seeing and the broader implications for the region. Our gathering this week included a visit with a DOT Director, John Cooper. A state’s DOT decisions are often the lynchpins in a development, so the trends are definitely worth …