Insights & Trends

News and Insights

Atwell values in action: how continuous improvement drives our teams forward

 

Here at Atwell, one of our core values is constant improvement. We are always seeking growth, development, and continued education opportunities for our employees at all levels. Whether a team member is new to the company or has been working with Atwell for decades, our leadership is passionate about challenging our team to keep expanding their comfort zones and tackling new projects. One of the greatest examples of this passion in action comes from our Chief Financial Officer, Rod Petschauer. We sat down with him to learn more about his approach with his team, as well as what skillsets he’s developing for himself. 

How do you motivate your team?

I am constantly seeking ways to stretch my staff’s comfort levels and give them opportunities for new work assignments that they have not previously undertaken.  It’s important to me that my team feels engaged and challenged. These types of growth opportunities can be great motivators for future success.

What’s your advice for delivering feedback?

I’m very, very intentional about delivering feedback that is always immediate and consistent for both positive feedback and constructive criticism.  My team is provided with feedback as quickly as possible and frequently throughout the year, so there should never be a surprise in a review.

Feedback isn’t like wine – it doesn’t improve with age.  That’s why getting right to it and communicating things quickly is essential.

What action steps do you take to remain an advisor to clients?

In my position, my clients are all internal to Atwell.  They include the project managers, directors, vice presidents, and senior executives throughout the organization, but to me, they are clients, nonetheless.  I ask my team to view Atwell, SCS, and RVI employees as clients and to treat them accordingly.  As a leader and advisor for my internal clients, I use my expertise and experience to thoroughly analyze the firm’s financial/operational issues and develop a plan with a clear and concise conclusion.

What skillset are you currently developing?

The organization’s recent substantial growth, both organically and through mergers and acquisitions, has certainly challenged me to develop a new skill set.  Our acquisition activity during the past 12 months has been at the highest level we’ve ever had. Getting a transaction completed is one thing, but integration is when the fun can really begin!  The process of shifting from acquisition to integration tasks has required a new skillset I didn’t previously rely upon but has inspired development and investment for ease of adjustment as well as a positive workplace environment for all involved.

What’s one lesson you had to learn as you started taking more of a leadership role?

One thing that was never taught in undergraduate accounting or during my MBA studies was an appreciation for human nature.  As I grew into a leadership role, I found that understanding human nature is critical to effective leadership.  I sincerely believed everyone was wired and thought just as I did, so it was a profound insight for me when I realized that was not the case. We’re all wired differently, so the approach I need to lead and mentor staff varies from staff member to staff member. That was a major epiphany for me.

Additionally, I had to learn how to delegate tasks to be an effective leader.  I was accustomed to doing everything myself but delegating and giving other team members opportunities to grow is an essential leadership skill.

News and Insights

How joining Atwell made me a better employee and a better mom

By: Lauren Longest, Digital Communications Manager

When I made the decision to become a working mother, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I’d heard from friends and colleagues just how hard it can be but knew millions of women have persevered. I’ve always thought “I am strong” and “I can do anything I put my mind to.” But what happens when your mind turns against you? When you realize that no matter how strong you are, you are stuck in a loop of self-doubt and loathing?

Whether it was my upbringing or portrayals in media, or maybe both, I grew up believing that mental health was something that only applied to those who struggled with extremely debilitating issues requiring medical intervention. It wasn’t until I experienced my own struggles with post-partum depression and anxiety that I realized it was something that could just as easily affect my life.

Company culture can affect everything

As I was becoming aware of my relationship with my mental health, I also realized the role that my professional environment had on my life outside of the office. I originally thought it was just work. I could be there for a few hours and then “leave work at work” and come home to be with my family – I know, it’s starting to sound like the plot of “Severance”. However, it just doesn’t work that way. We are people who have passions and struggles that often cross the line between our work and home life.

As I was trying to white-knuckle my way through my post-partum struggles, I started to recognize the subtle ways a company culture can impact my ability to feel healthy. It’s the anxiety you feel inside of a pumping room when you hear coworkers by your desk questioning how long you are taking. It’s the heavy sigh you breathe when you get the email in your inbox that your child is ill and needs to stay home from daycare, followed by the chime of a Teams message asking why you haven’t replied to an email that came in a couple hours ago. It’s also the not-so-subtle passing of a promotion opportunity because I “seemed to really be struggling with being a new mom and the pandemic” without the offer of help or resources.

And I know I’m not the only one. In the quest to find a community online, anyone can come across approximately 867,000 TikTok influencers speaking on the same topics. The more I scrolled, I started to feel like this is just life now, and that we’re all experiencing it. It’s just the best we can all hope for.

 

Choosing Atwell made a difference in my mental health

While a single company is not the cause of my post-partum mental health struggles – we have a lack of sleep and wild hormones to thank for that – it certainly didn’t make it easy to move through that difficult time in my life. Joining Atwell has lifted a huge weight from my shoulders and given me back that sense of confidence that I had lost. More than the unlimited PTO (which is extremely helpful for those unexpected illness emails!), there is a culture of trust and understanding. The first time my son came down with a stomach bug after joining Atwell, I braced myself for what was usually a stressful time of planning secondary care and fielding scrutinizing questions about my work and productivity. Instead, I was met with genuine concern for my family’s health and the flexibility to do what I needed.

The leadership here understands the importance of prioritizing mental health breaks, having authentic, personal, and sometimes vulnerable conversations about real life, and trusting in employees that have proved their value and integrity. Within just 6 months of joining my team, I was offered that opportunity for promotion and the feeling of recognition and respect that was lacking before. Knowing that I have real support gives me the freedom to meet the unexpected needs of my family but also the desire to go above and beyond for a company that has given me so much.

There was a time when I thought I had lost myself and that I needed to accept this new version of me. But I am so thankful to say that I am getting back to who I once was. Not only becoming a better employee, but a better mom too.

About the Author

Lauren Longest

Digital Communications Manager

Lauren Longest is a Digital Communications Manager located in Richmond, Virginia. Lauren has extensive experience in leading large scale digital projects as well as developing internal communications systems. Lauren enjoys combining her digital creativity with data analytics and corporate communications.

News and Insights

Building a career in the real estate and land development market

 

One of our greatest strengths at Atwell is our people. Some call it our “secret sauce”!  As our company continues to expand, we took a moment to ask a few leaders for their advice on building careers in the real estate and land development market. With decades of experience in the industry, we interviewed Vice Presidents Jeremy Arnold, Jim Lowe, and Senior Vice President Ron Waldrop.  Here is what they had to say:

 

 

What advice do you have for building strong relationships with clients?

Jeremy Arnold:  Take accountability to understand their business plans, goals, and the bigger picture of what they’re trying to accomplish.

Jim Lowe: The foundation of a strong client relationship is the performance of your team. Without that, you won’t even have the option to build a relationship.  That must be the foundation. Then, take it to the next level by spending time with them. Get to the client’s office as much as you can and build a face-to-face relationship.

Ron Waldrop: It’s important to be fully engaged and active in projects. Try your best to be proactive.

 

What advice do you have for people in the first year of their careers?

Ron Waldrop: Make sure you learn from each person you work with and each project you work on.  Ask yourself, how can the experience make me a better person and what did I learn along the way?

Jim Lowe: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and ask lots of them.  Questions are key to understanding what’s needed and expected of your position.

Jeremy Arnold: Be curious, be outgoing, ask questions, and show up with a good attitude. Simple, minute attitude adjustments can make all the difference.

 

Any advice for young professionals outside the workplace? 

Jeremy Arnold: Allow your interests to grow with you.  I was an all-state high school wrestler in Kentucky and dreamt of a career in professional sports. As I got older, my career aspirations were more aligned with this industry.

Jim Lowe: Maintain hobbies in your spare time.  I paint abstract paintings, though I wouldn’t call myself an artist. I did have a show where I was able to sell some of my work, but it’s a hobby more than anything else.

 

News and Insights

7 considerations for developers of master planned communities

By: Jeremy Arnold, VP of Land Development

As the residential industry looks toward the future of master planned communities, we know that priorities are changing for our residents. Among the top priorities are environmentally-focused and active lifestyle communities.

Over the last 20 years, we’ve been part of numerous master planned communities spanning thousands of acres and residential units. A lot of the successes are market dependent, but here are seven things to consider in the development process for any master planned community.

  1. It all starts with a good master plan.

We design communities that focus on sustainability and incorporate the environment. In southwest Florida, specifically, we have a lot of wetlands and water management lakes that we use as features in the land plan. Some of the most beautiful elements of our master planned communities have come from creating habitat for wildlife and natural flow-ways. Rather than just clear cutting all the trees or disregarding natural elements, we place our focus on embracing the immeasurable value of the natural elements and provide that experience to the future residents. Be it biking, hiking, walking, or viewing, residents in our communities have ample opportunities to engage with their surroundings. In almost all southwest Florida communities, the surface water management master plan is the backbone of the community. This is because Florida averages more than 50” of rainfall per year and potentially a major hurricane every year. Drainage systems in our communities have experienced major storm events over the last 20 years and all have performed as designed, showing the resiliency of the development.

  1. Amenities program and timing

One of the most critical components to a successful master planned community is the amenity package and campus or campuses. Outdoor living, resort style, active adult, family, sports, and recreation are aspects of an amenity program that could be offered at a single campus or multiple sites throughout the development. It’s important the amenity sites are well furnished, accessible, and delivered to the residents in a timely manner. Don’t wait until the end of the project to deliver the brand-new clubhouse. Other amenities to consider are dog parks, sidewalks, and walking trails to help create the ideal community. These amenities go a long way in creating the type of community residents want to build their lives in.

  1. Get open for sales

The initial goal of any project is getting the community open for sales as quickly as possible. Overspending or overbuilding in the initial phases can slow or stall the process and hurt the development in the long run. A good master plan should focus on a sales center or information center near front of the community that could be constructed independently. Doing this will enable sales to begin while the balance of the development is still under construction.

  1. Use buffers to limit noise and substandard views

Are the neighbors going to keep the community up at night? Buffers are essential to creating the quiet, comfortable neighborhood ideal for any resident. As the master plan comes together, awareness of the ambient noise in the community is essential for creating an ideal community. If there are any kind of noise-producing establishments in the area, ensure the plan includes noise reduction in multiple ways. Buffers can include berms, walls, landscaping, or a combination of them all.

Buffers and perimeters berms can also be utilized to help shield and improve views. If you are abutting a roadway or another off-site feature that needs to be screened from the residents of your community, make sure to leave enough space in the master plan to accommodate.

  1. Assume residents will utilize multiple modes of transportation

Residents need multiple options for movement within and around the community, especially in highly amenitized communities. We must consider multiple modes of transportation, including bike lanes, golf carts, and multi-use paths. If you’re not considering these alternates, you can almost guarantee a traffic bottleneck that will slow residents, guests, and hurt your nearby retailers. Also consider new technology and design to accommodate EV charging stations and plan for implementation into the neighborhoods.

  1. Create aesthetically pleasing focal points

Avoid locating large civil site components at entrances or other focal points. Examples of these unsightly features might be sanitary sewer lift systems or large transformers. Be mindful when designing the underground utilities or the electric corridors and attempt to hide or screen the above-ground equipment. A good rule of thumb may be: if it isn’t pretty, try to hide it.

  1. A beautiful entrance is a powerful statement

A first impression leaves a lasting impact. We want everyone – residents, guests, or retailers – to feel as if they’re arriving at a theme park. We believe our entrances should be beautiful, impactful, informative, and easily navigated.

Master planned communities require attention to detail, thorough communication, and strong project management skills that will account for the goals of both the developer and the future residents. Developing a complete master plan and permitting strategy will help the developer save valuable time and resources, which is the difference between success and failure. Our team has a strong history of well-designed, beautifully planned communities with a speed-to-market delivery that is hard to beat. We also have the expertise and foresight to avoid complications that will slow the work or diminish the quality of product.

About the Author

Jeremy Arnold

Vice President

As Vice President, Jeremy is responsible for the oversight of civil engineering services provided to public and private sector clientele within our Florida offices. Jeremy has been involved in land development projects in Southwest Florida since 2003 and has experience in all aspects of land entitlements, site design, local and state permitting, and construction.

News and Insights

Housing for the aging population is outdated: How can developers meet the growing needs?

Did you know that people over 65 are set to outnumber youth under 18 for the first time in US history due the aging of the baby boomer generation? This means one in five Americans will be over 65 by 2040. The statistics are incredible. This reality begs the question: as the baby boomer generation continues to age and the number gets larger, is there appropriate housing to meet the need?

In short, the answer is no. My team and I have identified this reality as we look to the future of housing needs. As it stands right now, housing for aging populations is arguably outdated. Be it the layout and design or the amenities needed, current housing simply does not contain what today’s aging population is looking for. This is an important niche market to dive into as population demographics evolve.

Housing needed for the baby boomer generation

Overall, the baby boomer generation is healthier, more active, and often has the desire to continue working into their later years. Today, the demand for amenities focused on wellness stands in stark contrast to the demands in place when communities were built 20 to 30 years ago. Today’s aging population is looking for home offices so they can continue to work, gourmet kitchens, more options for physical activity throughout the community, and convenient roadways as they continue to drive. They’re looking for wine clubs, pickleball courts, dog parks – in other words, a more active lifestyle.

These are exciting communities that are looking toward the future, but the planning and project development needs to happen today. If developers are expecting to meet the demands of tomorrow’s senior and active adult population, they need to be working with a firm that offers a full suite of services that can launch now, move quickly, and help meet the unique demands of a rapidly aging population.

How Atwell supports residential needs of our aging population

Our team has been working with clients to identify needs and meet demand with speed-to-market and program management services. A typical company that specializes in senior housing generally has a development staff that may be able to build one or two communities a year. When a client establishes a relationship with Atwell, we can help them double or even triple that output per year. Because of the breadth of our services as well as our expanding presence across the country, Atwell can complete multiple projects in more than one state.

We’re able to provide full-service program management as a unique service to our clients. These capabilities allow us to serve as the design, development, and construction team to do the heavy lifting for developers across projects, regions, and markets – often in geographies where our senior living development clients do not have sufficient staff. We can act as the facilitator and sole point-of-contact to ensure speed-to-market throughout.

Planning for the future

The bottom line is that it’s not a matter of if, but when, new senior housing communities will be needed.

Despite the awareness of housing needed and the speed at which projects must be completed to meet current and future demand, this market still faces challenges. Some of these challenges are the same we’re all facing in our daily lives: inflation is pushing construction prices up; rising interest rates are making borrowing more difficult and costly for consumers; land prices continue to go up; and labor shortages are a chronic problem.

Regardless of the challenges, the demand for housing and well-designed communities for an aging population here in the US will continue to grow rapidly. And like all the geographies and real estate markets we serve, our team is well-positioned in the senior living space to offer our clients the suite of services they can depend on to allow them to grow and meet this demand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News and Insights

Celebrating National Surveyor’s Week: An interview with Vice President Drew Celovsky

In honor of National Surveyor’s Week, we asked Vice President Drew Celovsky about his career in surveying and what challenges the field is facing today.

  • What makes surveying a unique career?

Since the beginning of history and with written documentation dating back many centuries, there has always been a need for boundary lines to be established for infrastructure to be built. Land has been fought over, sold, claimed, or purchased throughout history, and the need for boundary lines remains essential in the development of nations, communities, and countries that exist today. This makes surveying one of the oldest professions.

When we take a glance at the founding and settlement of the United States of America – led by recognized surveyors such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Banneker, Daniel Boone, Meriwether Lewis, and William Clark to name a few – surveyors today are often challenged with dedicated research and retracement of the steps of the original surveys established hundreds of years ago.

  • What is the typical day of a surveyor?

As every project is unique in nature, the day-to-day operations of a surveyor certainly change depending on the tasks at hand. Starting with the office, a surveyor can find that they may be researching and plotting vesting deed information, resolving boundary lines for drafting of legal plats from data collected in the field, project management, data processing, and more.

In the field, surveyors can find themselves performing tasks such as coordinating geometry calculations, searching for, and collecting precise electronic data of boundary corners, topography, construction staking, and as-built existing features/infrastructure. These precise electronic devices utilized by the field surveyor can include but are not limited to the following equipment:

  1. Conventional and Robotic Total Stations
  2. GPS (Global Positioning Systems)
  3. UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)
  4. 3D Laser Scanning

 

  • Why did you choose to be a surveyor?

I come from a family of surveyors, so it is safe to say I was born into it. Additionally, my passion for Texas history and the extensive research and boundary retracement of the original Texas patent surveys and Spanish Land Grants as the Republic of Texas made its transition into the State of Texas in 1846. One thing that was quite rewarding for me was finding these original corners and witness trees before being destroyed in many cases by urban development.

  • What challenges does the surveying field face today?

Resources. In my opinion, one of the biggest challenges the field faces today is the lack of surveying graduates. There are not enough to meet the needs across the nation. Another challenge is the rate at which technology continues to advance. Understanding this technology, the respective mentoring and training vs. ROI associated with it are imperative, to say the least.

  • What separates an Atwell surveyor from others?

Atwell is and continues to be one of the industry leaders. An Atwell surveyor is well-rounded and able to quickly adapt to any tasks that may come their way. Many of the Atwell field surveyors are local across our numerous offices while more than 70 crews are mobile across the nation. This blend of unique and diversified surveyors along with their advanced knowledge of the latest technologies and their ability to execute and deliver warrants separation.

News and Insights

Intern Insight: How the Atwell internship expanded my career options

By: Rachel Kertis

What started as an intriguing internship idea has turned into a potential career path. My experience with the Atwell internship empowered me in multiple ways: I was able to work independently, strengthen my comfort in the community, and learn about an industry I had not previously considered. It is because of the internship program that I am interested in a career in the oil and gas market.

I initially learned about the internship offered by Atwell when I attended the job fair at my university. It was there that I was able to speak with supervisors and my interest in a summer in the field was sparked. It wasn’t too much longer before I decided to jump in! As a civil engineering major, it had never occurred to me that a career in oil and gas was an option for me. Now, at the end of my experience, I’m interested in pursuing this further.

Each day as a field intern for a natural gas project out of Atwell’s Cannonsburg office was different, interesting, and engaging. I was armed with an Atwell vehicle and a GPS receiver to locate gas meters and service lines on a GIS map. Whenever I had an opportunity to engage with the homeowners or community members, I was able to explain the work I was doing and represent Atwell with pride. I consider this to be my greatest accomplishment in the internship. I know my work is making an impact on the community as the county creates a map to know more about where gas meters are placed. I felt like I was part of something bigger, knowing this map will be used to keep my community members safe.

My favorite part of the internship was the people at Atwell. I always enjoyed our internship meetings and felt supported in knowing my supervisors and teammates were just a phone call away if I had any questions. In addition to the sense of connectedness and shared professional development, I was able to learn much more about navigating the weather and how to plan around weather patterns.

Before this internship, my professional interests were aligned with the construction industry. This internship reinforced that interest. There were days when I was visiting a field site still under construction to locate the meters. That activity alone granted me more insight into how a home is built and where the service lines are and how the meter placement is planned. In addition to construction, Atwell taught me a degree in civil engineering can also be used for erosion and sedimentation engineering.

The internship also reinforced the value of safety in the field. The project I was working on itself was commissioned because of mislabeled wires that caused a housefire. After just a few weeks on the job, I was able to look at homes with a different perspective and understood why this internship was both important for my community and beneficial to my professional development.

It was clear throughout the internship that the people at Atwell genuinely wanted to help the interns learn and grow as much as we could. Most recently, we’ve been reading a book on building relationships that I’ve really enjoyed.

To anyone interested in an internship with Atwell, I’d highly recommend the experience. There is an abundance of help to transition from student into the professional landscape. There’s no sense of being “thrown to the wolves”, and it’s not like anything I’ve experienced in the classroom. Each intern is tasked with responsibilities that can feel overwhelming at first but quickly become manageable. The internship was flexible, and the journey to a new site each day made the work feel novel and exciting.  And, as an added benefit, everyone at the company was very friendly. It was an incredibly valuable experience and I’m happy I had the opportunity to learn and grow from it.

News and Insights

Getting the most out of an urban infill site: Finding the right partnership to capture your vision

While urban infill sites present certain limitations, a team with the right attributes can best support your goals for a mixed-use development

By: Ramzi Georges

Urban infill is the development of an underutilized site within an established community, and a project type that is trending among developers, end users, and potential residents. By building on an infill site, developers, architects, engineers, and City officials are helping revitalize communities both physically and socially – by providing access to amenities within proximity and supplying more housing options for new families, seniors, or young professionals. These developments help residents rely less on cars; promote environmentally friendly, walkable communities; and give back to the local economy by creating more job opportunities.

With more than 25 years of experience in civil engineering, water resources, and land development design, I’ve developed a passion for urban infill development. When approaching urban infill projects, the most important aspect of achieving a successful outcome is effective coordination between the City and private developers – all while upholding the creative vision of our clients and professionals in our industry such as architects and landscape architects.

Every urban infill development project has its own unique challenges and assembling the right team is instrumental to a project’s success. From my experience, there are three attributes you should look for in your next project team: regulation expertise, engineers who support creativity, and established local relationships.

Familiarity with regulations and site restrictions

Urban infill developments are typically complicated project types due to regulations like zoning codes, building codes, permits, entitlements, etc. A site within close confinements leads to strict zoning ordinances, more utility coordination, and tight construction practices. Tackling these constraints is key to the project’s success, as understanding design limitations at the early stages help manage expectations and reduces changes over the course of the project. That way, there are no surprises, project funds are not being used to rectify design problems, and there are no last-minute design adjustments during the construction document phase.

We recently coordinated a high-end project between multiple entities and acted as a liaison between several jurisdictions. This high-end canal project is a two-building, mixed-use project containing over 500 luxury apartment units and more than 13,000-square-feet of ground commercial space in Scottsdale, Arizona. The approximately four-acre site requires the involvement of several jurisdictions: City of Scottsdale, FEMA, Flood Control District (FCD) of Maricopa County, SRP, and more.

Having worked with the City of Scottsdale for many years, we have the regional expertise, as well as the technical background, to negotiate possible solutions with the FCD. We were able to use our design knowledge of regulations during the early stages of the project based on previous and current requirements. This understanding is currently helping us in keeping the project on track for the projected schedule.

Site plan layout of a commercial area with labeled zones for transformers, dumpsters, S.E.S., restaurants (both above and ground level), a fire riser room, building core, grease interceptor, recycling station, baler, and garage HVAC. The right partnership can capture your vision in an urban infill site. Key identifies symbols.

 

Engineers who support the creativity of architects, landscape architects, and developers

From its beauty to its function, the goal of any development is to build a landmark that will positively impact the community. Typically, the developers will approach a project with a specific vision, and they need the project team to find innovative solutions to make that vision come to life. Each discipline may have its own responsibilities, but the engineering team is there to provide practical knowledge about the potential site constraints of the architectural design. It is easy for an engineer to say “no, we are unable to do that”, but it takes a dedicated team to research, and provide multiple options to make the concept become a reality. Having an engineering team that will go above and beyond for the sake of the community and project design will go a long way toward the success of the project.

While working on a high-end resort in Phoenix/Scottsdale, alongside a large mixed-use development on approximately 65 acres of land, the Atwell team created opportunities from the site challenges. Underneath the mixed-use development is a large parking structure, and from the top of the parking structure to the ground level there are only a few feet of clearance, leaving limited space for utility design. The team also wanted to incorporate several water features throughout the site, adding demand to water use. To support the creative vision of the developers and architects, our team at Atwell strategically designed the utility routes within the project confinement. The existing site elevation also had a several foot drop from one end of the development to the other. We created highly anticipated gentle slopes throughout the site, where needed for the retail development, while finding solutions to meet the topographic constraints around the site limits.

Established local relationships

Having a project team that is knowledgeable about the community is important for every development. Whether it is site selection or what residents value in their community, having that understanding and existing relationships within a local area is beneficial in the execution of any project.

Regarding City approval, one of the most important aspects to pay attention to is community outreach. Since infill developments occur in an already-existing community, residents may oppose new construction and how it can affect their daily routine. By listening to the community and working with them to develop a plan of action that meets their needs, more people will support the new development and bring positive attention to the project. City officials may also be more inclined to work with you regarding zoning ordinances, permits, etc. in a timely and cost-effective manner if the community is behind you.

In addition to community outreach, developing relationships with local jurisdictions and understanding their processes will help when creating a mutually agreed upon solution. Being familiar with the City’s organizational structure and verifying the appropriate contact for questions and approval will be beneficial in avoiding unforeseen project delays.

The high-end, 65-acre resort and mixed-use development is located on a site that is divided between two municipalities – the City of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley – as well as water utilities from the City of Phoenix and EPCOR. Due to this unique instance, our team had to obtain permits from four different agencies, including the Town, the City, the County, and the affiliated water companies. Since we had previous experience in working with all entities, and understood their expectations, we were able to maintain the vision while meeting the design requirements with minimal correctional comments in return.

Making a community proud

There are several factors that can be challenging in an urban infill development: site constraints (i.e. customer/operations access, utilities, noise, visibility, light), zoning ordinances, building codes, community acceptance, and more. Having a talented team that will work alongside the developer will make the process that much easier. A project could take three or more years from site selection to post-occupancy, finding a team that can capture your vision will make the experience worthwhile. It is the developer’s concept after all, and our responsibility to create something the developer, the project team, and the community can be proud of.

Featured image courtesy of: https://goo.gl/maps/pnRn4C21WCoYqF2s7 

News and Insights

Modernizing natural gas infrastructure management with the use of location technology

By using GIS for natural gas distribution mapping, utilities can better manage outages, respond to issues, and gather business intelligence

By: Drew Powers

Public utilities have been around for more than 100 years and have endured mergers, acquisitions, and many other changes. This results in a constant battle of data inaccuracies and operational challenges. A more robust solution is needed – one that can provide a reliable, single data source to be used across all functions.

Utilities are starting to understand the benefits of using geographic information system (GIS) experts to map natural gas distribution service assets. While there are currently no regulations on mapping assets to this extent (sub-meter accuracy), we know that having the data provided by these services can help utilities respond more rapidly to outages, prevent safety events, and gather business intelligence to enhance the customer experience. Customers may also see financial benefits due to the utilities potentially lowering future maintenance costs.

By combining expertise in survey, data mapping and engineering, our teams have supported our clients’ needs in natural gas distribution mapping. Perfecting program workflows along the way, we’ve been helping our clients find new ways to get more value from the mapping data.

Data is an asset

Data is a core asset for businesses across the power and energy and oil and gas industries. Data can give companies the leverage to improve operations, revenue, customer relationships, and future outcomes.

When it comes to using GIS for natural gas distribution mapping, our team applies a combination of technology and field personnel to create intuitive operation dashboards, perform quality control, track metrics, and monitor progress. This process ensures the highest quality product is delivered to the client while maintaining strict schedules and contracted budgets.

Distribution mapping helps us understand the true location of the assets and provides a user-friendly visual. Because the data collected is in a single, intuitive format, all users can collaborate, communicate, and share business intelligence effectively. This gives our utility clients the ability to make data-driven decisions based on the most up-to-date information.

We’re currently working with a natural gas distribution company that provides reliable, low-cost natural gas service to customers in western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky. They rely on our team to provide support for timely, targeted information, which conforms to ever increasing governmental regulations. The GIS technologies compiles data so it can be viewed and interpreted to reveal relationships and trends. It can also combine traditionally fragmented data into an integrated asset management solution.

By the end of our contract, we will have located and documented all customer meters, curb boxes, and service lines within our client’s contracted territories, which is approximately 651,700 sites and roughly 5,400 miles of underground service lines.

Using customized equipment and ESRI’s ArcGIS Collector mobile application, our team is able to gather Global Positioning System (GPS) positions at an accuracy of +/- 1 foot, collect pertinent information about each site, attach photos, and upload the data in real-time to the project’s web based mapping portal. Due to the largely urban and residential nature of the work, specialized safety training and processes were also developed and implemented. All of our GPS Field Data Technicians are experienced and specifically trained to perform this type of data collection.

Better manage outages

Utility outages happen – and the financial impact continues to increase. When extreme weather events and disruptions in service happen, it’s important for our clients to act quickly to get their customers back online. By using GIS for natural gas distribution mapping, we can easily identify impacted sites and manage outages. Ultimately, a more robust map for operations and true locations of data allows a more timely, accurate response. A client can more easily identify impacted sites and take immediate action, saving the client both time and resources. It also results in a better customer experience.

Enhance your safety response

Being prepared is the fastest way to respond to an emergency. While mapping efforts cannot anticipate all issues, we gather important data about the existing assets’ conditions (such as broken meters, damaged valves/regulators) so that the client can establish a maintenance plan for corrective actions. This proactive, preemptive approach certainly has value when it comes to an improved safety response.

In the presence of a safety event, this data can be used to allow utility operators and construction crews to locate shut-off points quicker, more accurately, and with reduced impact to surrounding service areas.

We’ve had many instances throughout our Pennsylvania project where our techs have detected active gas leaks and reported them to the client. Our client has then been able to take corrective action ahead of a safety incident. This has been an added benefit to having field personnel visit every site.

The future of natural gas infrastructure management

As the saying goes, data is king. If an operator takes the initiative to implement a distribution mapping project using location technology, there are endless ways to use the data collected. From simply updating an outage map for operations, to more involved actions like evaluating load analysis and gas modeling, the more data we have, the more features we can create. Once a strong foundation is built, the operator can continuously improve their system while evolving with the market and any new technologies that may come along.

News and Insights

Intern Insight: Why biology students should consider the private sector

By: Tori Northrop

When I was going through school, my plan was to be a doctor. But when I started down my list of pre-requisite science classes, I quickly realized that I did not enjoy learning about human anatomy. What did excite me, though, was learning about animal behavior, evolution, and ecology. So, I decided to start exploring the different directions I could take with a degree in biology.

My choices felt limited. The most common alternate career paths – and the most talked about on campus– were either in government or academics. During my hunt for internships, I was talking with my father, and he introduced me to the idea of environmental consulting and working in the private sector. He is an engineer, and growing up, I often heard him talk about the business of land development, but never really thought it was a place for scientists and biologists. An internship opportunity at Atwell gave me a chance to dig deeper into the industry and all the possibilities.

Through this internship, I was able to learn more about the day-to-day responsibilities of a wildlife biologist/field technician and how the work they perform impacts the world around them. The role was fascinating, and I was excited to be given the opportunity to work side-by-side with other full-time employees. That kind of hands-on experience is not something you get in a lot of internships.

As an intern, I was able to truly experience what being a consultant means. I wrote reports and even developed new systems for the team to use. One of my biggest projects was helping to review and implement a new software for my team that improved efficiency and consistency of data for their growing team. Because our field technicians are constantly gathering data, this new tool helped them save time with their reporting. It made me proud that the work I was doing wasn’t just some filler work, but the result was actually going to be implemented into the company’s process.

One of the hardest parts was getting to know and understand the permitting and legal jargon that comes along with consulting projects. I learned more about how different species become protected, the requirements around working with wetlands, and the guidelines in place to protect them. That wasn’t something I studied or learned about in school, and it was interesting to see how it all connects to the work that I did in the field.

Throughout my internship I was never treated as “just an intern”, but as a someone who has knowledge and experience that can benefit the company. Atwell does a great job of seeing the potential people bring to the company, even at the lowest level, and they’re open to make changes to systems so that they work better and benefit everyone.

While I can’t say that my mind is made up on the career path that I can plan to pursue, I am thankful to have had the chance to learn about this side of the industry. The opportunity Atwell has given me to explore the different sides of environmental consulting in the private sector has made me excited for all the new possibilities I can pursue with my degree.

About the Author

Victoria Northrop

Environmental Technician

Victoria Northrop began her internship experience with Atwell in 2022 and came on full time in 2024. After receiving her MS in 2024, Victoria brings passion to her work with environmental permitting while fostering critical mentorship relationships.