Clients , consultants take a look back at some of the creative , pandemicprompted actions taken
By Jennifer Schmidt
The COVID-19 pandemic changed virtually every aspect of life over the last year and a half – redefining the way we work , learn , worship , socialize , travel , and conduct business .
As we begin to emerge from the crisis , still cautiously navigating the COVID waters , it ’ s rather remarkable to look back at how far the country has collectively come and how so many in the architectural and engineering industry turned challenge into change .
Although the virus prompted some short-term adaptations , experts suspect that many of the creative solutions that emerged in 2020 and early 2021 may be here to stay – and that ’ s not necessarily a negative .
‘ We ’ re all in this together ’
Matt Ashby , an urban planner in Ayres ’ Development Services group , was among those to spring into action shortly after the pandemic hit , recognizing his clients were facing economic hardship . Ashby , who also provides contracted services as executive director of the Windsor , Colorado , Downtown Development Authority , works with a number of downtowns and said , with that , come valued relationships .
“ In the roles that we play as the Planning group at Ayres , we really are at a very close ‘ in the trenches ’ level with not just our municipal partners but also with our business partners . We have connections to the local Main Street shops . We know the restaurant owners . We shop in the local stores . Having an understanding of what they ’ re dealing with is so important for us to do a good job to help them survive ,” Ashby said .
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