Lincoln Business Journal | July 15, 2017
Local projects, organizations adjust as industry grapples with effects of growth boom
Michael Sinclair, AIA
Schemmer’s Michael Sinclair, AIA, NCARB, was featured in the July 15, 2017 edition of the Lincoln Business Journal’s Architecture section, discussing industry trends as well as Lincoln's growth and ongoing developments.
Sinclair serves as a project architect and is also the president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Lincoln. He stated that the profession is changing daily, from new technology to incorporation of sustainable materials and systems, to fast-track scheduling and project delivery methods.
"All of this, coupled with the strong growth and development we are seeing throughout the community, makes for an ever-expanding knowledge base that we as designers are tasked to keep a pulse on," he said.
For the small or medium sized business owner, Sinclair referred to the continued strength of construction activity, which appears to be a positive, but it can be negatively reflected in the overall bid climate.
" A construction labor shortage, and that of skilled-trades workers, must be taken into account as designers look at overall project budgets, timelines, and materials and methods of construction," he said.
As for Lincoln's growth and ongoing developments, Sinclair stated that the Telegraph District, the West Haymarket, the recently-designated "South" Haymarket and Innovation Campus are among the ongoing developments, as well as new single- and multi-family housing projects throughout the city.
"We are currently seeing a trend of large mixed-use developments downtown often incorporating retail, office space, with residential or hotel space," he said; for example, at 9th and O streets; City Centre on the "Journal Star" lot, and rise of boutique hotels. "These projects are vital to the planning goal of increasing the density of Lincoln's down area."
To read the full Lincoln Business Journal article, see page 6.
