sive and contains all necessary docu- mentation. The trick is to get creative in connecting with these officials. Attend meetings for committees they serve on. Ask a mutual contact to introduce you. Engage with them through social media. Next, find out what projects within the city they are really excited for and are interested in supporting. Having a baseline for the types of projects that local offi - cials are advocating for will help you understand how to frame your initial proposal. Once you gain this context and a personal connection, you will be able to submit a development proposal package that is much more likely to be approved by the local planning committee. DESIGN/BUILD PROFESSIONALS You and your real estate agent have found the perfect parcel and the city has granted tentative approval to your proposal, but what follows is one of the most critical points of the development pro- cess: selecting your professional design and build team. While there are many remote architectural and drafting firms that offer services at a discount, the specific knowledge of a local architect is often worth the increased rate. Local design profes - sionals have knowledge of specific regional building codes and are able to make expert recommendations when you select a contractor. A local contractor will have existing rela- tionships with subcontractors and suppliers, leading to a more stream- lined construction process. Ulti- mately, connecting with and utilizing local design and build teams means that the community will be direct- ly engaged in your development. A local architect will want to ensure their designs fit the aesthetics of
their town. Local building crews will take pride in completing work on a project that will benefit their community. These are the people that will help you create a success- ful project from which they and their neighbors will ultimately benefit.
help you highlight the benefits your project will bring to their area.
DEVELOPING FOR THE COMMUNITYANDWITHTHE COMMUNITY Attempting to complete a develop- ment without community engage- ment can lead to unnecessary chal- lenges. Not only do you run the risk of the community souring on your idea, but you may be leaving some of your most valuable resources on the side- lines. When you connect with local professionals, officials, and residents you gain a more complete under- standing of the community’s desires and needs, leading to a more suc- cessful and profitable development. •
GENERAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The most important people to con- sider are those that reside in the area your development will serve. The last thing you want is for the communi- ty to turn against your development after putting in all the effort to get a project approved, have plans drawn, and contract with a local builder. Luckily, there are more ways than ever to directly engage with the local community. If available, join local social media groups focused on community issues. Take some time to talk to the neighbors that live imme- diately next to your development site. Create a simple website for your development where the community can submit feedback and sugges- tions. While not everyone is going to accept the change that your develop- ment will bring to their community, directly engaging with residents will
David Jacobs grew up in a family of contractors and was exposed to the principles of construction from a young age. David worked as a construction
worker to help pay for college, giving him a foundation of practical, real-world knowledge. Pivoting to a career path in sales and marketing provided valuable insight to additional aspects of the construction industry. David found his niche working as a Project Specialist with OBA/CIS where he brings together his previous experiences to better assist clients with their projects. David enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and skiing. He spends his weekends guiding bike and kayak tours.
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