Emergency Management in the Wake of COVID-19 Looks Different, Yet Similar

Over the past several months, MBP has been supporting a client in their COVID-19 emergency response efforts. This experience has given me time to reflect on how it differs from previous natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes. Yet there are many elements that remain the same regardless of the emergency type. Without a doubt, the… Read More

As COVID-19 Budget Cuts Loom, Here Are 5 Ways to Reduce Facility Costs

The last four to five months have been disruptive to almost every organization in one form or another. Some obstacles, like moving an operation from a traditional office setting to a virtual setting, have been overcome. Others, such as budget shortfalls, are still being felt and managed. These unplanned budget impacts have taken a negative… Read More

Design-Build-Operate P3 Delivery in Sports Facilities for Municipalities

Most of us grew up playing sports throughout the year. The type of sport was typically determined by the season. Sometimes we were free to play outdoors while other times the weather kept us indoors. No matter the environment, we all have fond memories of those places where we spent our formative years learning sportsmanship,… Read More

Six Strategies to Build an Effective Project Change Order Management Program

Have you ever had the thought, “why can’t we get these changes approved?” or “this change has been lingering for months, how can we move forward?” Well, you are not alone. Regardless of sector, client, or contracting mechanism, every project team encounters some degree of change – typically in the form of a change order… Read More

Q&A: How to Get Your Building Systems Ready for Reopening

States, counties, and municipalities have recently begun to gradually reopen following the widespread COVID-19 shutdown. A great number of facilities have had their operations scaled back or were shuttered in place. Operations & maintenance (O&M) staff will soon be presented with the challenge of how to plan for – and safely reopen – these facilities…. Read More

Construction in Uncertain Times (and 7 Ways to Come Back Even Stronger)

Let’s be honest. Right now, none of us have all the answers. Uncertainty surrounding the duration and severity of the COVID-19 crisis makes it hard to anticipate its true impact or when we will fully resume normal project operations. While in many areas, construction is currently considered essential, all projects are subject to unpredictable impacts…. Read More

6 Ways to Maintain Your Buildings During These Unprecedented Times

The last month has certainly been disruptive if you build, manage, or maintain facilities. Buildings are made to operate steadily over their life cycle and those who operate and maintain facilities manage these buildings accordingly based on building use and purpose, occupant needs, and equipment requirements. Under normal circumstances, O&M staff plan and execute scheduled… Read More

Hot Potato…Who Has the Risk in P3?

My old neighborhood was a great place to be a kid. I remember playing all types of backyard games and sports in my childhood. When we were not emulating a Major League player hitting a home run or a star running back scoring a touchdown, we would often play outdoor games like “hot potato.” We… Read More

Let’s Meet the COVID-19 Challenge Together

Right now, we all have our hands full. Our first priority, without question, should be to keep ourselves and our families safe. We also have an obligation to keep our businesses and construction projects afloat and progressing. Both can be stressful, and it may be hard to clearly see the path ahead with changes happening… Read More