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For: Mr.
David A. Clark, Principal Architect By: Michael
A Sweeney, Project Manager Letters like these are sometimes difficult to write ... this is not one of them. As its author my only regret is that I would have preferred to know its audience. With that knowledge your specific concerns relating to Mr. Clark's qualifications might have better addressed. I assure you, however, there is little for you to be concerned about. I would eagerly retain his services, and those of his firm, once again. That is my counsel to you. The rationale is several-fold. I offer the following information trying to anticipate your concerns while framing the character of my relationship and nature of experience with Mr. Clark. In 1999, following completion of schematic design, I was hired as the owners project manager for the "New Valley Communications 911 Center Project". More than a six million dollar, 24,000 square-foot construction effort - this project also carded with it the need for an architect and his team to design complex and fail-safe HVAC and electrical systems infrastructures that would eventually support over seven million dollars in phone, radio, and data technology procurements. Our 911 mission is life critical to the public, police, fire, and emergency medical providers we serve. The new center is therefore a code classified "essential public safety facility" designed to seismic zone four standards. This was clearly not a "cookie cutter' design. When completed this unconventional facility will be the largest 911 center in the State of Washington. We are now in month three of a nine-month construction timeline. I invite you to feel it's architecture, engineering, and finishes as we occupy it next December. It is a cost effective, yet impressive, engineering and design accomplishment. Large facilities, especially unconventional ones, are not just built. Their success, in the end, is a function of "front-loaded" evaluation, engineering, and planning periods that predictably exceed timelines executives impose. We met our timelines with only limited exceptions that were beyond our control. That accomplishment is due, in large part, to Mr. Clark and the consulting engineers that comprise his design team. He manages them toward timely and effective result. He is not one to rest while waiting for others to accomplish dependent tasks. His style has been complimentary to me as the owner. He eagerly, after seeking direction, will act outside the bounds of his documents (or contract conditions) to advance the projects interests. Mine required problem solving activity relating to zoning variances, conditional use, wetland buffering and mitigation, permitting, public works alternates, and other regulatory issues. I found his initiative refreshing - especially- in civil related works. I now rely on his knowledge and initiative beyond the level I was accustomed to from other consultants. I have worked extensively with Mr. Clark for two years with one to go. From permitting to public hearings; from site planning to design development; from contract document completion to bidding; and presently in construction administration - he has worked the trenches with me. He listens well. His knowledge of trades and industry practices continues to impress me. Yet he is not afraid to plead "unknown" and consult engineering professionals or delve deeper with vendors or manufacturers. His words and actions have consistently demonstrated that he will not assume a pace of work that would infringe on his ability to provide the level of service he strives to offer. I do have *a ways to go" with Mr. Clark - proof has yet to present itself in final "assembled" form. I'd bet on him without odds. I am optimistic for the facility's operational and design success. The Valley Communications Center is a governmental entity, uniquely owned and operated by the Seattle-metro cities of Auburn, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, and Tukwila. Architect selection and project oversight is ultimately a responsibility of the mayors and chief operating officers of those five cities. That may have been all that needed to be said in this letter. Good luck in your project and its choices. - - Respecttfully, M.P. Sweeney, Project Manager / Owners Representative May 21, 2001
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