CHEN & Assoc. - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

&ASSOCIATES Civil and Environmental Engineers FIRM PROFILE & APPROACH - CONTINUED Approach to Public Involvement The addition of public involvement to the scope of any construction project management is an important step to be undertaken by the owner. By linking the two tasks, the information that the public will receive is current and correct because it comes straight from the source. Additionally, it provides the public with an opportunity to pose questions, give complaints and generally understand the progress of the project. Having been in charge of the public involvement for several projects of this nature, Chen and Associates has developed an approach that encompasses four general methods to ensure public involvement and minimize complaints. These include public information, Home Owners Association (HOA) meetings, services coordination and complaint resolution. Each of these areas is discussed as follows: 1. Public Information: A key component of public involvement is a public information campaign that ensures the public is always well - informed of the work. By giving the public information before it is requested, it minimizes the potential questions and complaints that may bog down the project team. The Chen and Associates approach includes a direct mail campaign to initiate the project along with door hangers and signage that informs the public as the project progresses. The language in these notices is always jointly approved by the entire project team to eliminate any potential surprises. 2. Meetings with Residents: In areas where an organized homeowner's association exists, the public meetings held for the association are good forums for the dissemination of information to large groups of the affected public. In these meetings, Chen and Associates has made presentations to inform the public of the upcoming improvements in lay terms to enhance the purpose of the direct mail campaign. In other meetings, Chen and Associates' staff has been present to give construction updates and record any concerns that may arise. Our presence at these meetings helps maintain public involvement and the idea that the public is an important member of the project team. Also, input from the residents is valuable when studying different design alternatives and during construction. "Providing quality, responsive and professional service to clients, peers and the public for 20 years"