How to Meet the Needs of All Stakeholders When Constructing a Municipal Project
By Tom McGreevy, vice president of business development
Building a new municipal building is no small task. It requires the coordination of many stakeholders, including the end-user service employees, municipality leaders, council members, taxpayers and more. If you don’t get all these
stakeholders on the same page at the very beginning of the project, you will likely run into issues throughout the process. One way to avoid this is to consult the end-users who will work in the building but are not actively participating in the design or construction process.
At Scherrer, we are passionate about helping municipalities make big things happen. Our experience working with departments and board members from preconstruction through completion sets us apart. Communities can lean on our team to navigate the complexities of building municipality facilities and we help communicate the needs of all stakeholders to help smooth the budgeting process.
Design with the end-user in mind
When starting a local government building project, it's important to sit down with the end users to understand their needs for the new facility. Through my experience, I’ve found that first responders, officers, firefighters and other service employees have a more solid understanding of their needs than the administrators or city council. During this time, we talk openly about the current facility – what’s currently working or not working, what changes they would like to see in the new project, what spaces are over or underutilized, etc. This helps us better understand what to focus on during the design process and it helps us map out:
Space needs for personnel and equipment
Workflow/function
Controlling potential contaminates
Potential growth
Expectations from staff and the community they serve
Fitness, sleeping quarters and shower facilities for employees
Location, Location, Location
The location of a new municipal building is essential and one of the first things we tackle. While some municipalities plan to build a new facility from the ground up, others may build on an existing one. It’s vital to over-communicate when renovating or building onto a current facility to avoid disrupting current operations especially when emergency services are involved. When choosing a new location, we consider many elements:
Response times to different areas of town
Topography
Traffic patterns
Sun exposure
Accessibility
All these factors contribute to building an effective facility that will serve the community for years to come.
Quality Materials for a Quality Facility
Designing a government project involves walking a fine line between using quality products that will last long and staying within the budget. Our team works to provide recommendations that suit the communities’ expectations and tailor the design to meet any budget. There are several ways this can be done:
No stone unturned. The Scherrer team can provide multiple options for construction materials to fit any budget whether you’re looking for longevity and aesthetics or function at the right price. We have experience with all construction types and help municipalities find the right fit for their community.
Design with the future in mind. We encourage all our municipal partners to map out their long-term plans. Whether it’s potential growth, community resources, or flexibility for future technologies, Scherrer helps build for your immediate needs while providing options for the future.
Training facilities for growth and retention. Need to attract more people to your field? Consider incorporating upgrades or construction of training facilities into the design to help build interest in public service careers.
Building a new municipality project is an exciting task that can be overwhelming. With Scherrer, you can rest assured that your new facility will incorporate the technology, materials and accommodations needed to meet the needs of your community. We’ll be there to help you along the way to answer any questions you may have. With 95 years of experience under our belt, we are here to help you navigate the complexities of public works construction and deliver a final product that checks all the boxes for your stakeholders.
Call us at (262) 539-3100 or email us at customsolutions@scherrerconstruction.com. We would love to talk through your options.