New Shareholder Announced at Cole & Associates

Cole & Associates announced the addition of Tom Reynolds as its newest shareholder of the company.

Reynolds began working at Cole in 2006, where he worked as an Instrument Man, an entry level position in our survey department. He soon identified a career path and took the opportunities available to advance his knowledge of the field by completing his degree and licensure, while continuing to work at Cole. As a valuable member of the company, Reynolds now serves as the Survey Manager in our St. Louis office and has completed survey projects across the country in conjunction with Cole’s other offices.

“Tom is a perfect example of the character and work ethic that embodies Cole. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Tom and welcome him to the shareholder’s circle,” said Kevin Riggs, President/CEO.

Since the late 1990s when the company’s founder Mel Cole put the firm’s shareholder agreement in place, Cole has seen many of its company leaders take part in this incredible opportunity. This speaks volumes for the success and integrity of the firm, its shareholders and its employees, Riggs said.

Current shareholders include Riggs; Lisa Baker, CFO; Jeremy Roach, Director of Planning and Landscape Architecture; Terry Westerman, Survey Manager; and the Cole’s three Vice Presidents of Regional Operations – Jim Roth in Phoenix; John Harshbarger in St. Charles and St. Louis; and Sandy Stephens in Dallas.

Cole Expands Survey Operations in Texas

Cole has recently relocated Terry Westerman, PLS, to our Dallas office to oversee land surveying operations in an effort to support and bolster survey services. Terry is a Principal at Cole who has been with our firm for nearly 15 years. He brings more than 30 years of experience in land surveying and 23 years of project management along with licenses in Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kansas.  Our decision to augment our land surveying capabilities with a senior manager further demonstrates a commitment to our continued investment in the Texas market and will allow Cole to better serve our clients in the region. Terry has already been busy in the field and looks forward to growing our Dallas survey team.

Cole continues to offer professional land surveying services in nine states throughout the country. St. Louis survey operations are now in the capable hands of Dan Huck, PLS, Cole’s existing Survey Manager of Field Operations. Dan has been with Cole for 13 years working alongside a field crew and office staff that also has some longevity at Cole. Our entire team has been working together for nearly 10 years; many even longer. We look forward to building just as many years of collaboration in our Dallas office!

Cole to Present at APWA Conference

Cole has been asked to speak at The American Public Works Association (APWA) Missouri Chapter Fall Conference being held in Lake of the Ozarks, MO, next week Nov 3-5. Cole will present on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards and Regulations for Public Rights of Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) and the ULIP-ADA™ technology behind ADA Transition Planning. Our presentation intends to help attendees gain a better understanding of the ADA legislation, the necessity of a transition plan, and the benefits of a cost-effective, proven technology.

Mike Vonderheide, PE, Senior Project Manager, and Belinda Banger, Vice President / Chief Strategist will co-present. Cole will also have one of our very own certified ULIP-ADA™ operators at the conference to demonstrate the technology and make a few runs on the segway.

The APWA Fall Conference welcomes various municipalities and public agencies in the state of Missouri. As a member of the organization and proven ADA Transition Planning consultant, Cole is looking forward to networking with colleagues. We hope to see you there!

Cole & Starodub, Inc. Sign Exclusive Agreement

At Cole, we assist our clients in taking a proactive, sensible approach to effective planning for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance in the public rights-of-way. While some public entities have completed ADA Transition Plans, many are in the process of updating or creating new plans to include the necessary assessment of public rights-of-way. The traditional ADA inventory process can be laborious and imprecise. This challenge motivated us to find a viable solution for our clients. We identified a one of kind sensor and acquisition system created by Starodub, Inc. who was originally contracted by the Federal Highway Administration to develop a dedicated technology designed for accurate collection of comprehensive data for ADA transition planning. With the complement of our in-house software development, engineering and ADA expertise, Cole aligned forces with Starodub, Inc., a highly reputable transportation engineering firm specializing in advanced technology, to ensure this system could be made available nationally.

In June 2013, Cole and Starodub, Inc. signed an exclusivity agreement for the ULIP-ADA™ technology. Having exclusive rights to the ULIP-ADA™ allows us to offer a unique service to our clients around the country in the most cost effective way possible.  The Ultra-Light Inertial Profiler (ULIP) records measurements and potential barriers to determine compliance with the ADA. This highly accurate tool is mounted on a segway for expedient and efficient data collection.

Cole has completed the inventory process for two transition plans in the St. Louis area and is currently working in North Texas, Arizona, and with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Stay tuned for updates on these projects.

Our St. Louis Office is Moving

Cole is pleased to announce that we are moving our corporate headquarters from Sunset Hills to downtown St. Louis, MO, at Union Station. On July 8, 2013, our St. Louis team will be working out of the Power House building in a fresh open setting that better reflects our collaborative environment.  This relocation complements our recent St. Charles County, MO, office move to the new urban inspired Streets of St. Charles and places us in a location similar to the Texas office in Frisco Square. All three of Cole’s established offices are now located in thriving business and entertainment districts.

This move not only continues to allow us to better serve the St. Louis region, it further aligns Cole with the re-urbanization of American cities; one of the more significant trends of our industry. We’re excited to have an office in the City of St. Louis which is experiencing a remarkable period of revitalization.

Stop by and visit soon! Our new address is: Power House at Union Station, 401 S. 18^th Street, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63103 (phone remains the same 314-984-9887).

Our office will be closed on July 5 to accommodate the move. We wish you a safe and happy Independence Day celebration!

City of Clayton ADA Transition Plan

The City of Clayton, MO, has selected Cole as their ADA Transition Planning consultant. Our team will be examining the existing conditions of pedestrian access routes to assist Clayton in achieving compliance with the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards & Regulations and Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG). The end result will be a legally defensible ADA transition plan including a prioritized list of barriers and estimated annual budget for removal.

Data will be collected on 60 miles of sidewalk, 1200 curb ramps, and 23 signals in the City of Clayton. We are conducting the ADA public inventory using a modern technology built custom for ADA transition planning. These highly accurate and cost effective tools involve a ULIP (Ultra Light Inertial Profiler) mounted on a segway along with a Cole developed ArcGIS Database, web portal and electronic forms for data collection, synching, and sharing. We’re also assisting the City with staff training, public outreach, and grievance procedures.

Cole is pleased to continue working with the City of Clayton. The project will begin next month when we kick off work plan development and review of the City’s existing policies and design standards as they pertain to the ADA.

Cole’s Commitment to Licensure

For years, our partnerships have taken us to places beyond our regional borders. Regardless of location, Cole has always sought opportunity in new markets that are relationship driven and value unique, quality design, and progressive technology; which is synonymous with the Cole brand. Today we find ourselves working extensively throughout the United States on environmentally sensitive land developments and infrastructure projects.

With a staff licensed in nearly 40 states and a portfolio of projects representing a considerable national presence, Cole is committed to becoming an expert in virtually any part of the country. Along with the flexibility and knowledge required to work on substantial sites in many states comes the responsibility and commitment of continuing education. We are proud that our staff places a major emphasis on obtaining and maintaining licensure. In 2012 alone, eight of our staff members obtained licenses in 15 new states. As growth plans for 2013 and beyond come to fruition, we will continue to add to our portfolio of licenses. Currently our staff represents:

• Professional Engineers Registered in 36 States.

• Professional Landscape Architects Registered in 17 States.

• Professional Land Surveyors Registered in 7 States.

Working with Washington University

Cole has been busy at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. This thriving partnership was kicked off in 2009 when we completed a Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District approved campus-wide stormwater master plan. The plan is presently used to expedite approval for future projects and has guided the development of Cole designed projects such as Brauer Hall and Green Hall. These adjoined buildings make up the School of Engineering and Applied Science complex located on the nine-acre Danforth Campus. Both projects have received LEED Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council.

Speaking of green, we’re working with the progressive facilities team at Washington University on the first green roof associated with their main campus. Our calculations for stormwater quantity and quality are being guided by the incorporation this green roof on a current student housing project. The terraced garden area with surrounding views will mitigate water runoff and function as a place for students to gather and relax.

Cole has also had a big role in campus connectivity, pedestrian/bicycle safety, and traffic flow. We designed 1,200 feet of new ADA accessible sidewalk for shared use by pedestrians, bicycles and emergency vehicles. As part of the project, three bike parking nodes were designed with pervious pavement in order to offset requirements for stormwater detention.

Additional work around campus includes the design of storm and sanitary sewer systems, exterior improvements, design of Best Management Practices (BMP’s), ADA accessibility design, and assistance on LEED certification coordination.

We are thoroughly enjoying our collaboration with Washington University as these and many other projects contribute to their commitment of helping students grow academically and socially. Check out our work on this state-of-the-art campus:

Keep an eye out for future WUSTL updates and others as our campus portfolio continues to expand!

Cole Launches New Website

Our 2012 was kicked off with the launch of the new Cole website. We are pleased that you have found your way to it! We have refined the look of colestl.com to support our mission of taking quality to the next level and showing the industry our design-centric side. Among the updates, you’ll find a sophisticated feel and fresh take on our services and design solutions. It was created to provide a unique user experience and demonstrate a continued focus on client communications and partnership building. The new website is meant to have a strong impact and distinguished web presence that sets us apart in the industry and compels our clients to take note.

Cole Kicks off ADA Transition Plan

Cole was selected by St. Louis County for the Americans with Disability (ADA) Public Infrastructure Transition Plan. The plan will ultimately establish compliance with ADA guidelines on intersections and sidewalks throughout St. Louis County. These guidelines ensure that the transportation environment functions safely and effectively for individuals with any number or type of disability.

This project involves the inventory of approximately 800 miles of sidewalk and inspecting nearly 4000 intersections which include 863 signalized intersections and approximately 15,000 curb ramps. Cole’s team is conducting the ADA public inventory in a highly accurate and cost effective manner by utilizing new and modern technology which consists of a ULIP (Ultra Light Inertial Profiler) mounted on a segway. Cole kicked-off the project this month by developing a web portal and geo-database in ArcGIS. Data collection and inventory is expected to commence in March, 2012.