Articles Archives - Walker Consultants

Elevate Your Building: Benefits of Retaining a Vertical Transportation Consultant

Brittany Edmunds — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 21:53:25 +0000

As cities grow taller and more complex, the importance of efficient, reliable vertical transportation has never been more crucial for building owners and developers. Whether it’s the sleek elevator whisking people up a high-rise residential building or the escalator seamlessly guiding us through stores, these systems quietly shape our daily experience, ensuring that we move efficiently and safely across the vertical planes of our cities.

Working with a vertical transportation consultant can make all the difference in optimizing these critical systems for both functionality and cost-efficiency. Walker’s vertical transportation consultants analyze key factors such as traffic patterns, building layout, and usage demands to recommend the best solutions tailored to your specific needs.

New Equipment or Modernization Design and Planning

Well-designed new equipment or vertical transportation system modernization not only enhances tenant satisfaction but also boosts efficiency, reduces long-term maintenance costs, and helps your building operate at peak performance. Our consultants will help you optimize design, plan for smooth integration, and provide expert guidance throughout the process.

Construction Administration / Project Management

Our consultants assist with submittal/shop drawing reviews, bidding assistance, overseeing installation, modernization, and/or maintenance projects to guide the project to be completed on time and within budget.

Equipment Condition and Due Diligence Assessments

During the assessments of the equipment, our team evaluates the efficiency and performance of existing vertical transportation systems and then provides recommendations for capital expenditures.

Vertical Transportation Maintenance Performance Evaluations and Programs

Assessing the efficiency, performance, and preventative maintenance of your existing vertical transportation systems is essential for long-term reliability. Our consultants can provide valuable recommendations for repairs/improvements and develop a maintenance plan for your vertical transportation systems, helping your system operate at optimal performance.

Experts for Vertical Transportation Solutions

Tailored to each facility’s needs, our vertical transportation solutions are efficient, safe, and built for the future. Reach out to our experts for vertical transportation consulting!

The post Elevate Your Building: Benefits of Retaining a Vertical Transportation Consultant appeared first on Walker Consultants.

FISP Made Easy: Our QEWI-Led Team for NYC DOB FISP is Here to Guide You

Brittany Edmunds — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 21:29:24 +0000

When it comes to compliance and safety, we are prepared to deliver prompt and effective solutions to building owners’ needs. Our experienced and responsive QEWI-led team will guide you through the Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP) from New York City Department of Buildings.

FISP Cycle 10 Has Started.

What is a QEWI? What do they help with?

A Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) is a registered design professional (ex. Registered Architect or Professional Engineer) that meets a certain level of experience and qualifications, set by the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), to inspect a building and assess the condition. Obtained through the New York City Department of Buildings Facades Unit, each QEWI is approved by the DOB to perform the façade inspection and complete the façade report filing for the NYC FISP.

While many design professionals may be experienced with both designing and assessing various façade assemblies across the country, the QEWI certification from the City of New York requires local professionals to submit documentation of at least 7 years of professional experience in performing New York City façade inspections. Also, it requires a working knowledge of numerous types of existing historic and modern masonry and other exterior enclosures to ensure that unsafe and deteriorated façade conditions are correctly identified, prioritized, and repaired.

Walker’s QEWI is Your Guide

Sara Holcomb, PE, a QEWI, in our New York City office, has worked on numerous façade inspection and restoration projects across the five boroughs of New York City. Catering to commercial, residential, hospitality, and historic properties, she is well-equipped to offer strategic advice, detailed project management, and expert oversight. Our QEWI’s expertise can help your building’s exterior comply with DOB standards.

The History of the Façade Inspection Safety Program

The Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP) façade ordinance originated out of NYC legislation intended to protect the public health and safety from the risks of falling and deteriorated façade materials, due to aging building stock in New York City.

The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) first instituted a façade-related inspection ordinance, referred to as Local Law 10 in 1980, when a piece of masonry debris fell and killed a pedestrian on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Later amended and known as “Local Law 11”, the ordinance mandated maintenance and necessitated buildings to be classified as either “Safe”, “Safe with a Repair and Maintenance Plan (SWARMP)” or Unsafe. Over the last 44 years, well-publicized façade failures and resulting tragedies involving fatalities or injuries have expanded the complexity and strictness of these inspections and report filing requirements surrounding the NYC façade ordinance.

Exceptional Client Responsiveness on Critical Life Safety Issues

Our QEWI, together with our team of building enclosure experts, offers technical expertise to assist with projects that may arise from a New York City FISP filing:

Immediate repair design and protection recommendations related to addressing unsafe conditions per NYC DOB requirements.
Repair prioritization and façade project feasibility and phasing studies
Compliance with historic preservation
Bidding and construction administration services

For a comprehensive understanding of FISP requirements and their impact on your properties, visit our detailed FISP page.

For property owners and managers, safeguarding the structural integrity and compliance of your buildings is paramount. By partnering with Walker’s QEWI led team, you gain more than just compliance assurance—you receive a strategic ally dedicated to the longevity and safety of your property portfolio. Let our expertise in building envelope consultation enhance your property management strategy, supporting every aspect of your building exterior so that it is not only compliant but also optimized for future resilience and efficiency.

The post FISP Made Easy: Our QEWI-Led Team for NYC DOB FISP is Here to Guide You appeared first on Walker Consultants.

Condominium Rehabilitation Project Profile Feature

Brittany Edmunds — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 17:14:04 +0000

A Walker Consultants project is featured on the cover of ICRI’s Concrete Repair Bulletin March/April 2024 issue! Project Manager, Matt Dougherty, PE, wrote an article that discusses waterproofing and structural strengthening of an existing inhabited condominium building in Florida. In the article, Matt discusses the merits of a project team communicating and working closely together for a successful project and happy client.

A project that began as a water intrusion investigation led to the discovery of structural issues that were resolved through team work and coordination between the engineering consultant, contractor, and owner. Now, Marina Place has a properly installed, warranted waterproofing system that will protect the strengthened concrete structure and protect the building and owners’ homes from water intrusion.

To read the article, please check out the Concrete Repair Bulletin.

To hear Matt and the client talk about the project, watch Walker’s project video!

The post Condominium Rehabilitation Project Profile Feature appeared first on Walker Consultants.

Belmont Park featured in Parking & Mobility

Walker Consultants — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 13:36:30 +0000

The Belmont Park Arena Parking Structure is featured in the March 2024 issue of Parking & Mobility. For this project, Walker Consultants provided master planning, functional and structural design, MEPFP engineering, operations planning, operator RFP assistance, and curb management planning. After reading the article in Parking & Mobility, learn more about the project on Walker’s website.

The magazine also features an article by Mark Santos about how to overcome doubts about one’s experience because of their age. And, the Ask the Experts section includes insight from Mary Smith and Erik Nelson about the ongoing evolution of mobility options in our cities.

The post Belmont Park featured in Parking & Mobility appeared first on Walker Consultants.

Pioneering Sustainable Mobility Solutions

Brittany Edmunds — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 21:30:44 +0000

We are thrilled to announce that Walker’s Victor Hill and Ben Weber, have been featured in Parking & Mobility Magazine, a prestigious publication of the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI). In their article, “Get to the Point”, Hill and Weber address the critical issue of urban mobility, specifically the challenge of reducing parking requirements and the necessity of making driving less convenient to foster sustainable, enjoyable, and affordable urban environments.

Our cities are often viewed as landscapes where personal vehicles dominate, and alternative modes of transportation are sidelined. Hill and Weber argue against this perception, highlighting the growing feasibility of walking, bicycling, public transit, and other forms of travel. They emphasize the importance of investing in these alternatives to create integrated, efficient, and user-friendly mobility networks. Their work sheds light on the innovative concept of “mobility wallets,” a pilot initiative in Los Angeles aimed at encouraging the use of diverse transportation modes through seamless trip planning and payment solutions. This approach not only supports low-income residents but also serves as a model for other cities and universities seeking to mitigate the challenges posed by single-occupancy vehicles and parking constraints.

Our company proudly supports this forward-thinking vision, recognizing that the path to more sustainable urban living requires a collective shift in how we view and utilize transportation. Hill and Weber’s contribution to Parking & Mobility Magazine underscores our commitment to leading the charge in reimagining urban mobility for a better, more sustainable future for our communities. To read more, check out Hill and Weber’s article.

The post Pioneering Sustainable Mobility Solutions appeared first on Walker Consultants.

Shared Parking Analysis Can Help Save

Brittany Edmunds — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:23:33 +0000

We are proud to announce that John Dorsett, AICP, CPP, a Senior Director of Planning, Operations and Technology at Walker Consultants, has contributed a compelling article to Development Magazine, a reputable publication by NAIOP, The Commercial Real Estate Development Association. In the Winter 2023/2024 issue, Dorsett provides insightful analysis on “Rightsizing Parking in Support of Sustainability and ROI,” exploring how shared parking analyses can significantly save land, costs, and time in urban development projects.

Dorsett’s piece is a deep dive into the transformational potential of shared parking strategies, emphasizing how they can lead to more sustainable and cost-effective urban planning. This article highlights the necessity of rethinking parking space allocation in response to the changing dynamics of transportation and mobility. Dorsett’s expertise helps readers understand the economic and environmental benefits of rightsizing parking. He offers practical solutions and methodologies that can be adopted by developers to optimize their projects. The article is not only a testament to John Dorsett’s expertise in the field but also reflects our company’s commitment to pioneering sustainable and innovative urban development practices.

The post Shared Parking Analysis Can Help Save appeared first on Walker Consultants.

Insider Information on California Balcony Inspections

Brittany Edmunds — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 17:29:46 +0000

Rich Carroll, a Building Envelope expert with Walker Consultants, is spotlighted in the latest edition of the Community Associations Institute-Greater Los Angeles Chapter magazine. Dive into his feature article, “INSIDE Information on SB 326: How to Plan Your Project“.

Drawing over two decades of expertise predominantly in residential construction, Rich explains the nuances of meticulous coordination and proactive planning for renovation projects. He specifically highlights the significance of the California Senate Bill pertaining to mandatory balcony inspections. In California, courtesy of Senate Bill 326, properties with balconies, elevated walkways or terraces, or stair landings, necessitate a comprehensive inspection by all owners and HOAs before the end of 2024.

For more in-depth information into renovation project planning, read Rich’s article here.

The post Insider Information on California Balcony Inspections appeared first on Walker Consultants.

Walker Experts Discuss Accessibility, Operator Fees, and Mentorship

Walker Consultants — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 20:32:59 +0000

Walker Consultants experts contributed three articles to the latest issue of Parking & Mobility magazine. Find these stories in the June 2023 issue:

The Impact of an Internship in the Parking Industry

President & CEO Dave Ryan, PE shares his story of starting as a summer intern, and why internships and mentoring remain important parts of Walker’s culture.

Planning for Success

Consultant Kevin White AICP, CAPP contributes to an article about the importance of planning in the project life cycle.

Making Parking More Accessible

Project Manager Kevin Waters, AIA is part of a piece about how planning, curb management, design, and operations can contribute to making parking more accessible.

Parking Management Company Hidden Profits

Senior Consultant Will Rhodin discusses the intricacies of parking operator management fee structures, and how certain monthly add-ons can drive up the total cost of an otherwise low fee.

The post Walker Experts Discuss Accessibility, Operator Fees, and Mentorship appeared first on Walker Consultants.

Can Waste Latex Paint Improve the Performance of Concrete?

Walker Consultants — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 18:00:22 +0000

Eslam Gomaa, PhD, Design Engineer in Walker’s New York office, was recently published in Volume 391 of Construction and Building Materials, an international journal dedicated to the investigation and innovative use of materials in construction and repair. His paper, “Utilizing waste latex paint toward improving the performance of concrete” investigates incorporating waste latex paint (WLP) into conventional concrete as a partial replacement of sand to improve its durability.

Waste latex paint is expired paint with an abnormal viscosity and a dry, solid film. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources, along with paint manufacturers, provided Eslam and his research team with 50 gallons of WLP for testing. Instead of disposing WLP in landfills, oceans, or other sites that cause environmental contamination, it can be recycled by adding it into concrete.

While WLP slightly decreases the mechanical properties of concrete, it significantly increases concrete’s long-term durability. It also increases concrete flexibility, making it a more sustainable solution for the built environment.

Learn more about Eslam’s research here.

The post Can Waste Latex Paint Improve the Performance of Concrete? appeared first on Walker Consultants.

How to Begin Creating Smart Communities in Parking

Walker Consultants — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 19:00:28 +0000

Walker’s Tom Szubka, CAPP and Tania Schleck wrote an article featured in the February 2023 issue of Parking & Mobility about creating smart communities in parking. We hear the term “smart” thrown around a lot, but what does it mean to apply that term to a community and parking?

Read the article now.

The post How to Begin Creating Smart Communities in Parking appeared first on Walker Consultants.