Urban Design Center

Project Management

As fund developers with project management expertise, our team works on behalf of our clients to manage the entire development process from concept through construction.  We work to ensure the development of fundable projects by overseeing the quality control of information, project deliverables and contract agreements in a manner that establishes confidence in our client’s ability to deliver amongst government officials, funders and community stakeholders.

As a builder of both physical and human capital, we assist our clients in garnering an overall understanding of the life cycle of a development project by providing a structured approach to manage the project scope and milestones.  We work to ensure that project implementation is continually in-line with planning, Building & Safety, program operations and funding requirements in order to readily assess the “go” “no go” project elements that are imperative to help our client’s make appropriate project decisions.  We have established an excellent track record in managing entitlement and environmental approval processes and in expediting projects through plan check procedures.

UDC works synergistically with project team members to share knowledge and information on methodologies to facilitate feasible projects. Our project management centered approach to development works to:

§         Facilitate board, staff and community architectural programming efforts in order to clearly identify the key phases of the entire project through a critical review of planning, building and safety, funding, community partnership and program operation requirements.

§        Facilitate the selection of development team members and consultants in compliance with funder bid requirements including affirmative action and minority outreach requirements, prevailing wage/Davis Bacon wage requirements and Section 3 community hiring requirements.

§        Facilitate real estate, business and program development including feasibility analysis, acquisitions, operations & logistics planning, staff development, budget analysis and technology integration.

§        Produce detailed project and construction plans in concert with the architectural plans in order to facilitate funding efforts. Control change and manage risk in a manner that sets the organization’s mission goals and objectives as priority.

§        Expedite plan approvals through Building & Safety, Public Works, the Fire Department and the Department of Water and Power.

§        Facilitate monthly construction team meetings, prepare updated schedules, develop budgets, meeting minutes, paydraw request and cost analysis.

§         Assist in value engineering the proposed improvements to determine the most cost effective strategy for the implementation of the work.

§        Handle procurement for construction materials, furniture, fixture and equipment.

§        Review and facilitate resolution for contractor submittals, lien releases, certified payrolls and contract matters.

Mid City Crenshaw Corridor Infill Infrastructure Green Street Project

Urban Design Center is serving as the resource development and contract management consultant for the Mid City Crenshaw Corridor Infill Infrastructure Green Street Project on behalf of the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles.

Stretching from the 10 Freeway to 52^nd Street down Crenshaw Boulevard and including Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, Marlton Square, Leimert Park, Jefferson Boulevard from Arlington to LaBrea Avenue and Adams Boulevard from Bronson Street to Fairfax Avenue, the proposed improvements conform to the following Mid-City Project Area Objectives established in the Redevelopment Plan:

• Promote the elimination and prevention of blight and deterioration, and promote the conservation, rehabilitation, renewal and redevelopment of the Project Area to the extent permitted by law and specified in this Plan.
• Improve the quality of the environment, promote a positive image for the Project Area, and provide a safe environment through mechanisms such as promoting landscape criteria and planting programs.
• Promote the development of sound residential neighborhoods (with careful attention given to the problems of increased land use densities) through mechanisms such as: land use, density, design and property management standards; public improvements, property rehabilitation sensitive in-fill housing; traffic and circulation programming; and development of open spaces and other services necessary to enable residents to live and work in the Project Area.
• Support and encourage a circulation system which will improve the quality of life in the Project Area, including pedestrian, automobile, parking and mass transit systems with an emphasis on serving seniors and the disabled.
• Coordinate the revitalization efforts in the Project Area with other public programs of the City of Los Angeles and the metropolitan area through linkages and leveraging of funding sources.
• Promote the provision of well-planned community uses and facilities, pedestrian and vehicular circulation, and adequate parking.
• Encourage private investment, consistent with the Plan’s objectives in commerce and industry.

UDC also developed the Agencies State of California Proposition 1C application on behalf of the Mid City and South LA Region Project Areas which garnered $14.6 million for the project as well as a 2009 Metro Call for Projects application which yielded a $1.3 million grant for transit capital work on Crenshaw Boulevard at the intersections of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Stocker Street.

Master Plan facilitated by Urban Studio.  Construction is scheduled to commence in 2012.