Career Day 2012
Wednesday was Career Day at Culver Middle School and I agreed to speak again this year. I think this is the third year that I have done this and I’m going to recycle my stolen Batman cartoon… just because I really like it! Ha! I didn’t have Batman to compete with this year, but Jeff Kenney was discussing the glamorous life of a journalist, so I’m guessing I was shown up. (Last year it was the police dog handler that I had to compete with. I’m sure he would have given Jeff a better run for his money!)
I spoke about my degree in Landscape Architecture and my current career in construction. I discussed the importance of math, verbal & written communication and art in my career. I discussed the changing community standards and how Landscape Architects influence them. I discussed why Landscape Architecture is a licensed profession and what that requires. I also took them through a rough site development plan, so they got a taste of how all those things come together. I tried to relate that to the various maps in the room since I was presenting in the Geography room.
It’s hard to find time for these things, particularly in the current business climate, but that doesn’t mean they’re not important. I know that I didn’t know what a Landscape Architect was until I went to college. (Somehow I don’t think Rob Schneider’s show “Rob” is helping our cause any either, when he starts to describe his job as a Landscape Architect to his new mother in law and she cuts him off with, “Yeah, I get it. My daughter married a gardener.”) Hopefully my talk planted a seed in some of their minds that will help them make a decision for or against pursuing a similar career.
As usual there was a mix of interest in the room ranging from rapt attention to dozing. I gave the same (similar?) presentation to five groups and the teacher monitoring the class said it was interesting to see where I veered off from the previous presentation. After doing this the first time I figured out that having at least a rough outline was important since after three or four it gets hard to tell what I’ve said to what group.
All and all it was a good experience. I would recommend considering accepting if you’re asked to speak.
Oh, and by the way, it’s National Landscape Architecture Month! I’m sure you knew that, but if you didn’t, I’ve fulfilled an obligation to the profession as well.
Okay, this kitten really is cute!
Okay, I’m not much of a cat lover, but this kitten really is cute.
Culver Garden Court Ribbon Cutting
Yesterday was the Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Culver Garden Court. I want to thank all of the Culver people that made this project possible that turned out for the event. The Culver Town Council was represented by Ed Pinder and Bill Githens. (Ralph Winters, a former Town Council member who was instrumental in getting this project approved, was there as well.) The Plan Commission was represented by Ralph Winters. The Culver Redevelopment Commission was represented by Jerry Ney. Pete Trone also came. (Pete was instrumental in helping get the needed variances while he was on the Culver BZA.) The Culver Chamber of Commerce was represented by Sue McInturf, Tony Sellers and Greg Fassett.
Reverend Liechty, President of Garden Court, Inc., was the keynote speaker. He made a nice speech introducing the attending dignitaries and giving some history regarding the organization. He allowed me to speak and I explained how we had worked to make this project happen for over 10 years and through four Town Managers. We both thanked Wade and Claudia McGee for making the property available. I also congratulated the various Town Boards and Commissions for taking the additional steps to annex the surrounding 80 acres, change its zoning and start water and sewer lines to open the area to additional affordable housing.
Reverend Liechty will be stepping down as President of Garden Court and retiring from the board when they elect officers this coming November, so after 7 Garden Court projects, Culver Garden Court will be the last project where we work with him. I took the chance to publicly thank him for the opportunity to work with him and thanked him for his guidance and friendship through the years.
All in all it was a good day. The sun was shining. There was a good turn out. I heard nothing but good comments about the project.
Time For Multifamily Housing?
Fairfield Garden Court, Plymouth, IN
Easterday Construction has been involved with multiple multi-family housing projects over the years. The Garden Court projects have figured prominently in our experience. Currently many of the economic indicators are reportedly pointing towards the need for more multi-family housing. Rental properties are projected to be in demand. A recent article here points to the Top Ten Reasons for owning multi-family housing. Check out the article and contact us if you’re interested in a foray into this type of investment.
