Managing Risks While Accomplishing Public Works Projects

What City, County, and State Leaders Need to Know

By Jonathan Tilenis, PE, Director of Design, HRC Engineers

Building a new community center, upgrading transportation infrastructure, developing a park. These highly visible public projects put the pressure on. City, county, and state government authorities are closely scrutinized by tax-paying constituents with high expectations for delivery of the quality, on-time, and well managed development promised.

Public initiatives come with a set of expectations the private sector doesn’t face. Because they’re so, well, public, they present distinct challenges, including the need to:

Balance Stakeholder Interests. When multiple parties are involved, each has a different take on which aspects of the project are most important. Elected officials, community groups—plus those on the front lines getting the job done—may seem to have competing interests at heart. Having a professional in your court with experience aligning everyone’s priorities is key.

Navigate Political Pressure. Pushes by political leaders for faster timelines and cost-cutting measures, or making changes that don’t align with the original plan, can cause tension among everyone involved. Your next government project requires a been-there-done-that navigator to help strike the right balance among all involved—and optimize outcomes.

Ensure Transparent Communication. Community trust hinges on transparency. Assuring constituents stay informed about progress and interim decisions made as the project proceeds is necessary. Failure to be open and honest can result in distrust and negative perceptions. An HRC team member on your site planning team is key to making sure perceptions on all fronts are positive.

Manage Budget Constraints. Public projects are subject to tight budgets, often strained by the unexpected. Regulatory hurdles, supply chain delays, and other unforeseen setbacks must be managed carefully to avoid political fallout and community member dissatisfaction. Make sure there’s a development professional at the table who can anticipate and adjudicate the best next course of action.

Plan for Long-Term Impact. An aspect often overlooked in public development is legacy planning. Beyond addressing immediate concerns, government leaders must consider the value these projects continue to contribute to the community in the long term. This requires focus on sustainability, durability, and adaptability over time. Incorporation of elements that reflect these priorities ensures project success in the near term, as well as goodwill for many years to come.

Build Community Support. Even best-laid plans can falter without buy-in. Engaging residents early and often in the development process helps avoid misunderstandings and fosters a sense of shared engagement. Open meetings, surveys/interviews, and other feedback mechanisms are vital, allowing government leaders (and the partner firms tapped to define, design, and execute) to gather input, address concerns, and ensure final outcomes are aligned.

Count on HRC Engineers to Help You Meet Public Expectations and Political Pressures

Whether you’re a county manager overseeing infrastructure upgrades, a city council member spearheading a downtown revitalization project, a state park authority creating a new recreation area, or the mayor overseeing affordable housing initiatives, development that involves public resources presents a unique set of hurdles.

The right design/project management partner can help you more easily move through the development process. If you’d like to learn more about how to optimize your next government project, contact HRC Engineers today. Or reach out to me right now at 770-942-0196.

Get the site-planning expertise needed to optimally serve your constituents. HRC enables you to reconcile conflicting priorities to achieve success, now—and well into the future.