David Kemp, Ayres Associates’
project development director
and senior project manager for
Southeast Operations, said continual
communication is important because
it builds confidence.
“The County doesn’t have to worry
about our projects because we
call them and check in with them
regularly. We keep them informed
during all stages of the project,” Kemp
said.
“Over the years, Ayres has maintained
a focus on public work,” Perpich said.
During the CR 5A (Old Moultrie Road)
Safety Improvements Study, Ayres
Associates’ engineers created a report
to not only help planning decisions,
but also help secure funding.
“By breaking the project into
segments, we could secure the
funding as it became available,”
Perpich said.
This expertise paid off again when the
Del Monte Drive/Varella Sidewalk
Post Design project got a shot in
the arm during the 2008 recession.
As the design was wrapping up,
funding suddenly became available
as part of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act through a Local
Agency Program (LAP) agreement.
However, the new funding required
more Florida Department of
Transportation (FDOT) involvement
and a modified set of specifications.
Ayres Associates was able to quickly
rework a full set of bid documents and
meet the deadline to get the project
constructed.
Second, let’s chat:
Communication
A successful project requires more
14│TRENDS
than good engineering. According
to Caldwell, “There’s a lot of smart
people out there, and a lot of people
who know how to do the work, but
it’s the responsiveness from Ayres
Associates that makes a difference.
They take the time to really
understand what the County needs.”
During the Palm Valley Sidewalk
Feasibility Study, Ayres Associates
was involved especially early in the
process to help understand project
challenges and create a more accurate
schedule and budget.
“We’re able to bring Ayres Associates
in on the front-end of some projects
because of our long history and
relationship,” Caldwell said.
During the Armstrong Trailhead
Improvements project,
communication was critical because
there were so many departments and
additional agencies involved.
“David did a great job of being the
communication point. He checks
in with all divisions to make sure
everyone is on the same page,”
Perpich said. “The biggest thing about
Ayres Associates is that they are
responsive. If I send an email, I get
a prompt response. Th