TFS New Director - Tim Beverage!

FEBRUARY 23, 2022

Tim Beverage

TRIAD Facility Solutions - Director of Operations

Coming to TRIAD Facility Solutions is the culmination of my nearly two decades of work in the design and construction industry. In high school, I started in the construction trades working as a laborer for a general contractor. This early experience in the construction industry started a lifelong passion for design and construction. I always enjoyed working with my hands, but an interaction with a project architect had the most profound impact on my professional life. I had noticed him on-site several times before, so I approached him and asked about his role on the project. He graciously took the time to explain his role as the architect, and he was there verifying that the installed work matched the design documents he produced. He explained he had been working on the project for years before we had broken ground and talked about the intent behind the spaces we were constructing. This brief interaction always stuck with me because it illuminated the power of design and the critical role that architects play in creating the spaces in which we live and work.

As I began looking into where I wanted to go to college, I looked for schools that offered degrees in Architecture and Construction Management. I thought if I could have a solid foundation of understanding on both sides of these professions, I could perhaps help bridge the gaps that often exist between these parties. I thought I might eventually be able to design and construct projects for clients at my own design/build firm. A few years later, I graduated from The Ohio State University with a BS in Architecture and a BS in Construction Systems Management.

I moved to Washington D.C. in 2013 to work for a general contractor as a project engineer, working on historic government buildings. It was a tremendous experience getting to work on everything from the historic renovation of a Smithsonian Museum to the $267 million, 14-story occupied renovation of the International Monetary Fund. I learned so much from my fellow superintendents and project managers about problem-solving, contract structure, and the planning and scheduling that goes into these complex projects.

In 2016 my wife and I returned to Columbus, and I started working as a project superintendent on various large commercial projects around the city. This was my first experience bringing projects out of the ground to finished facilities serving the community. It was a remarkably satisfying experience. I was also fortunate to again work with many highly skilled professionals that helped me grow and further my knowledge and understanding of the industry.

While working on one of these projects, I met Brent Foley. I realized in that meeting I had met him nearly a decade ago in early 2011 as he had sat on a design critique while I was an undergrad architecture student at The Ohio State University. The subsequent conversations between Todd, Brent, Zach, and I rekindled that early passion I had for vertically integrating the knowledge and expertise of architects with the problem-solving and leadership of construction professionals to execute the design of projects.

I was excited to join the team at Triad Facility Solutions (TFS) because I feel I have a unique opportunity to grow an industry-leading culture of quality, confidence, and transparency in the field of general contracting. TFS’s unique combination of licensed architects and construction professionals allows us to offer our clients the best value solution to any design, construction, or maintenance problem they may face. At TFS, we are passionate about growing a diverse and talented team of professionals who care about the projects at hand and the meaning and value that those projects bring the clients, patrons, and broader community. This role allows me to realize my dream from over a decade ago, bridging the gap between architects and construction management to deliver the best quality projects for our clients on time and on budget.

Written by Tim Beverage

Introducing... NOMA Columbus

JANUARY 20, 2022

We are excited to announce the latest National Organization for Minority Architects chapter, NOMAColumbus… coming soon! TRIAD’s Latifa Alagah and Casey Byrnes have been working diligently the last few months to establish the chapter and have been meeting with several members of other chapters in the Midwest Region including the National Midwest Vice President, Saundra Little.

Latifa Alagah (L) will serve as NOMAColumbus Vice President and Casey Byrnes (R) will serve as the President.

The initiative to bring a NOMA chapter to Columbus was spearheaded by Latifa. As a student, Latifa discovered that Columbus did not have a local chapter and she was passionate to make a change. When she joined the TRIAD team, she pulled Brent aside to ask for support and he, in true fashion was all-embracing in the movement. We currently have several TRIAD members eager to join the organization once it launches.

Some of the goals for the first year of the chapter include…

  1. Compiling an email list of current, at-large members in the Central Ohio region and prospective members wanting to join the Columbus chapter, working on communication through newsletters and partner organizations for people and local resources.

  2. Getting the chapter registered with approved bylaws and a 501C(6) account opened to begin collecting member dues.

  3. Getting broader support from the national level to support new board members and chapter activities.

  4. Marketing the chapter to get the word out through social media and events in the local community.

NOMAColumbus is still waiting to be approved by the national board and is excited to become an official chapter shortly! Stay tuned for more updates.

Join NOMAColumbus Here

Please contact Casey & Latifa for more information…
Casey Byrnes - cbyrnes@triadarchitects.com
Latifa Alagah - lalagah@triadarchitects.com



NeoCon 2021 Recap

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

Our Interior Design team, Morgan Mitchell and Lauren Voiers headed to Chicago last month to attend NeoCon 2021. The event was held at The Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago. The team was ecstatic to attend after the previous year's event was canceled.

Here’s a recap of their time there and what they saw!

1. Arches

One detail Morgan and Lauren saw displayed throughout different showrooms was arches. The design aspect is to stray away from the rigid/rectilinear lines of the past and move toward softer shapes and arches to define space.

2. Pastel / Jewel Tones

The combination of softer muted colors with the more rich jewel tones offset one another for contrast and depth in spaces, as well as furniture. The contrast of colors gave a soft yet inviting feel. Each space at NeoCon gave our designers inspiration for future designs.

3. Wall Patterns / Color Blocking

The use of retro wall patterns and large bold areas of color to delineate spaces and provide visual interest to what otherwise may be a neglected surface or space.

4. Imitation Terrazzo

Another main theme our designers spotted was imitation terrazzo.

Creating more affordable options for terrazzo-looking floors, as well as opportunities to use the visual on other applications such as walls and furniture to bring texture onto more planes of human interaction.

5. Favorite Showrooms

Morgan & Lauren's favorites included the eye-catching showrooms at OFS, BuzziSpace, Haworth, and Scandinavian Spaces.

NeoCon 2021 was a success and our team was delighted to attend and see the latest in design.

The Importance of Local Business for Communities

OCTOBER 26, 2021

For many decades, technological advancements have allowed globalization and franchising to become more feasible for businesses. Communities have been eager to attract nationally recognized brands to conform to the status quo. However, as retailers and recognizable brands have become more common, the obsession with them by urban planning committees and community developers will turn away attention over the long term. To provide an example of how these brands can be detrimental to a community, I will explain one of my experiences in Paris, France.

I was staying in Paris with American colleagues when we had planned to go on a shopping trip. We were expecting to see many unrecognizable brands and boutique stores as Paris holds the title of one of the “fashion capitals of the world”. To our surprise, it was very difficult to find boutique stores and we often encountered recognizable brands that we could shop at back in our hometowns. These global brands took away from our goal to experience the Parisian culture as it seemed that in some areas, Paris was becoming just like the cities we know back in the United States.

The consequence of global brands is that they sacrifice a community’s culture and identity, making them less attractive to potential residents and visitors. Communities that want to grow and become more recognized need to understand how to create and leverage a culture. This is done mostly through local entrepreneurship that results in boutique cafés, restaurants, and clothing stores. Consider the role cowboy hats and barbecue chicken has had on shaping Nashville’s culture, and how the city would be different if these things were taken away.

To consider a more familiar example, examine the city of Columbus. Here, the area known as the Short North is considered to be one of the most fun places to be by Columbus locals and visitors and plays a major role in the culture of the city. What is unique about the Short North is that it consist almost entirely of retailers that are either locally owned or possess very few locations. This results in an experience that can only be had in the Short North and nowhere else, giving people reason to visit and a sense of culture and community.

In conclusion, communities should consider how much they are encouraging local entrepreneurship and if they are successfully developing a culture. Failure to do so will result in a bland environment that is only visited for quick shopping needs and never for genuine interest. A community that successfully cultivates a unique culture will experience growth and success by becoming well known in the area and intriguing to outsiders.

Written by Michael Ross, Development Associate

American Rescue Plan Act Round Table

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

Last month we invited leaders from different Ohio communities back for another virtual round table to discuss the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The rescue plan intended to provide relief for the impacts of COVID-19 regarding economic, governmental services, infrastructure, and essential workers. We discussed the effect its legislation will have, and what everyone plans to do with the assistance. The legislation was put into act in March of 2021 and includes a total of 1.9 trillion dollars intended for COVID-19 relief, amounting to $195 billion dollars to the state and $195 billion dollars locally. This virtual round table discussion included TRIAD Partners Brent Foley and Zach Price, along with TRIAD’s Managing Director Todd Moroz, Joseph Henderson with the City of Upper Arlington, Mike Schuiling with Liberty Township, Jennifer Dunn with Xenia, Bethany Staats and Drew Turner with New Albany, Amy Walbridge with the City of Dayton, and Scott Murphy with the Downtown Dayton Partnership.

Brent began the conversation by asking three questions:

  1. What is a higher priority in use of the funds for you? Reversing negative economic impact? Assistance in recovering from lost revenue (ie. tax income)? Making necessary infrastructure improvements? or premium pay for essential workers?  And why?

  2. How are you planning to use the funds?

  3. What creative ideas have you contemplated using the funds for or heard others are contemplating?

Each person took turns answering these questions and here’s what we found.

Joseph Henderson began by stating that they were looking to improve the public infrastructure which included advancing things in sewer and sanitary. They also wanted to help local businesses, create grant programs for employee retention, and aimed to aid retail and restaurants.

Bethany Staats with New Albany commented that their priority was to assist hotels as well as making sewer/water improvements. Their community also had a strong desire to see an implementation of pickleball courts.

Drew Turner talked through a few different uses for funds:  aid for travel/tourism industry and what that might look like, water and sewer projects, and using the funds to mitigate the impact of COVID as well as for outdoor activity areas (playgrounds, pickleball courts, etc.)

Jennifer with Xenia said they were still trying to figure out what they would do with the government assistance but wanted it to be something the community would find beneficial. The community wanted to see something more meaningful than just fixing potholes. Many good things could be done in Xenia including cleaning brownfield sand reutilizing them in a way for the community to use.

Scott and Amy from the City of Dayton and Downtown Dayton Partnership told the group that they wanted to continue to move toward impactful implementation of the funds and that they’re going through a process to do so. The City of Dayton was chosen as one of six cities in the nation to be selected for “stimulus command centers” to maximize the impact of the funds. The other chosen cities include Los Angeles, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Louisville, Kentucky, and Birmingham, Alabama. Ultimately, Scott and Amy, and the City of Dayton are putting together ideas for public realm improvements and how to make the downtown area better, smarter, faster, and more appealing to the community and visitors. Their focus is short-term, and they would like to resolve loan funds targeting first-floor businesses across the city and mentioned supportive financing paired with commercial financing.

TRIAD’s Zach Price represented Downtown Delaware and explained that Delaware created a partnership project during COVID with county/city/downtown property owners to create a strategic plan. Delaware wanted to focus on streetscape improvements, water/sewer, broadband activity, redevelopment around the riverfront, and park projects.

After everyone answered, we then went around again for closing remarks and ideas. Similar fund utilization ideas were shared among the group including aid to local businesses/ restaurants/hotels/etc., park/public improvements, and making decisions that will positively affect each community. Sharing ideas helped spark conversation and questions and gave everyone a perspective of what other leaders were doing and how our communities can get past the pandemic. We want to thank everyone who participated and look forward to more engaging conversations to come!