• Apr
    2022
    13
    2022 / Apr / 13

    Becoming Utility-Scale Solar Ready

    Colorado is expected to deploy around nine gigawatts of renewables by Jan 1, 2030 to meet its energy goals, yet cities and counties have not identified where solar would be acceptable. Logan Simpson’s Jeremy Call and Erin Bibeau partnered with the Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA) on the Becoming Utility-Scale Solar Ready: Principles and Best Practices for Colorado’s Local Goverments study. The study includes five key principles/best practices:

    1. Cultivate awareness ahead of proposed development
    2. Create a collaborative, problem-solving partnership with continuous improvement and learning
    3. Maximize community benefits and desired outcomes
    4. Reduce impacts
    5. Align agencies, plans, and regulations

    Potential conflicts between solar projects and local communities can hold back economic growth and greenhouse gas emission reduction. The study applies each principle to common misconceptions and provides tools, partnerships, and opportunities for local governments to attract multimillion-dollar investments in solar while also protecting the public interest.

    Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e2jgEXbj.

  • Nov
    2021
    04
    2021 / Nov / 04

    Promoting Healthy Children

    Logan Simpson is sponsoring the Big Dig for Kids, a Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation fundraising event. The event gives local kids, including those facing health challenges, the chance to operate heavy machinery. Big Dig For Kids promotes healing while also sparking curiosity about the construction process. The event benefits the Hope Fund.

  • Oct
    2021
    06
    2021 / Oct / 06

    GSA Awards Logan Simpson Multiple Award Schedule Contract for Environmental and GIS Services

    Logan Simpson has a new General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Services (MAS) contract to provide environmental services. The contract took effect October 5, 2021. Logan Simpson has provided federal agencies with environmental planning and GIS services through the GSA for nearly two decades. The new contract includes additional labor categories for environmental, biology, and cultural resource services, allowing us to bid work more competitively.

    What is an MAS Contract?

    GSA MAS contracts create a pool of prequalified contractors, saving federal agencies save time in the procurement process. GSA has determined Logan Simpson is fully qualified to provide environmental services under Special Identification Numbers (SINs) 541620 (environmental services) and 541370GIS (GIS services).

    How Can Agencies Use the MAS Contract?

    Agencies can use the GSA MAS contract in place of internal procurements. The contract can be used for one-time projects or to establish blanket purchase agreements (BPAs). BPAs are indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts that ensure skilled contractors like Logan Simpson are available to meet needs as they arise.

    For more information about the GSA MAS contracting process, Visit GSA’s How to Buy Through GSA page or reach out to the MAS National Customer Service Center at 800-488-3111.

    Contract Number 47QRAA22D0004
  • Oct
    2021
    05
    2021 / Oct / 05

    Join Us at the 2021 Roads and Streets Conference in Tucson!

    Join us at the 2021 Roads and Streets Conference in Tucson October 6 – 8. Arizona’s premier transportation conference went virtual in recent years due to Covid. We’re looking forward to seeing our clients and teaming partners in person this year! Stop by to see us!

  • Oct
    2021
    05
    2021 / Oct / 05

    Best Practices in Planning and Permitting for Large Solar Installations Presentation

    Logan Simpson Principal Jeremy Call and three other panelists will deliver presentation entitled Best Practices in Planning and Permitting for Large Solar Installations at the Energy and the Environment Leadership Symposium at the University of Northern Colorado October 7 – 8. The presentation focuses on best practices for engaging stakeholders. Panelists will discuss how to apply those practices to real-world applications. The panelists will also share actual examples of successful permitting of solar installations. Jeremy previously presented Are You Ready?: Creating Your City/County Roadmap to Large-Scale, Low-Impact Solar Energy at an APA – Colorado Solar and Storage Association webinar this spring. Listen to it here.

    Best Practices in Planning and Permitting for Large Solar Installations presenters include:

    Jeremy Call, Principal, Logan Simpson

    Mike Kruger, CEO, Colorado Solar and Storage Association

    Patrick Nolan, Director of Project Development, Leeward Energy

    Tom Parko, Planning Director, Weld County

  • Looking over the river at VSMP
    Oct
    2021
    05
    2021 / Oct / 05

    Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park Wins ASLA Honor Award

    Logan Simpson is proud to announce that we have received the ASLA Colorado’s Honor Award for Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park!

    Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park is a park and natural area along the Big Thompson River and US 34.  The park was destroyed in 2013 by a devastating flood. This reconstruction was the opportunity to create a more resilient river and public park that is appropriate for its setting in the Foothills Life Zone of the Rocky Mountains. The park features a realigned and more natural river, native aquatic and terrestrial habitat restoration, trails, picnic areas, river access, and educational exhibits and structures. A unique platform provides an authentic river fishing experience for users of all abilities, overlooks and benches are located along the trails, and visitors can learn about the history and ecology of the site.  Remnants of a 1920’s hydroelectric plant, a settlers’ cabin from the 1860s, Civilian Conservation Corps shelters, and other historic structures provide not only visual interest, but are a reminder that many lessons learned in the past are still relevant today. The park is loved by Loveland residents and visitors, and is at capacity every weekend that it is open.

    Read About the Award Here!
  • Apr
    2021
    08
    2021 / Apr / 08

    Logan Simpson takes on the next 30 years under new leadership

    After founding Logan Simpson and successfully leading the firm’s 30 years of guiding responsible change, Diane Simpson-Colebank is stepping down as president and CEO. Diane will continue to serve as a principal of the firm focusing on key projects and clients. The firm celebrates Diane’s many accomplishments and is grateful for her efforts in developing the next generation of leaders that will carry the firm’s mission and legacy into the future.

    Diane will be handing the reins to a familiar face, Bruce Meighen, whom the firm’s shareholders unanimously elected to be the next CEO.  Bruce—a principal from our Fort Collins, Colorado office who has been with Logan Simpson for close to a decade—is an idealist with a passion for creativity and innovation backed by 25 years of experience. Bruce holds degrees in business, environmental systems, and city planning from Champlain College, McGill University, and Georgia Tech.   He served as a vice president at two of the nation’s largest planning firms and has been part of the leadership team at Logan Simpson. Bruce brings an infectious enthusiasm for this evolution of the firm. He is grateful for his partners’ trust and will focus on evolving our current practices and emerging services that tackle today’s new environmental, cultural resource, planning, and design challenges.

    Logan Simpson’s upcoming leaders have acquired the firm—a rarity in today’s consulting market—demonstrating the trust that Logan Simpson’s shareholders have in the firm’s leaders. To undertake an internal transition and become a trusted, legacy organization, any firm must have a pool of talented leaders, and Logan Simpson has such a group.  Thought leaders such as Jana McKenzie, Patricia McCabe, Erick Laurila, Jeremy Call and Wayne Colebank will collaborate with Bruce to continue the firm’s success by accelerating innovation in the environmental, cultural resources, planning, and design fields.

    Our leadership team, who are friends and colleagues, celebrate healthy ideological debates and collaborative problem-solving. Their success is based on the simple art of listening to our staff, team members, and clients. This co-creation philosophy fosters innovation, boldness, and cohesion that ensures our client’s collective success. We understand that big ideas come from our staff’s ability to share ideas openly. Logan Simpson celebrates and fosters an inclusive culture that is inviting and reflective of our changing social environment.

    Though the faces are changing as we transition our leadership, Logan Simpson will continue to be, at its core, a multidisciplinary consulting firm that guides responsible change.  We will continue to bring unique and creative solutions to complicated problems that build on Diane’s success through her decades of leadership.

    Bring on the next 30 years.

  • Sep
    2020
    15
    2020 / Sep / 15

    US Forest Service Amends Rule for Powerline Maintenance and Vegetation Management

    Electric utilities provide vital energy services to customers. Efficient and environmentally safe powerline maintenance and vegetation management is critical to providing safe and reliable delivery of electricity. Implementing a coordinated and cooperative approach between utilities and agencies before, during, and after powerline maintenance and vegetation management increases maintenance efficiencies.

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  • Aug
    2020
    28
    2020 / Aug / 28

    Hearing Native Voices: The Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project

    Jewel Touchin, Senior Archaeologist

    Western values and perspectives often drive the legislation and compliance laws that apply to cultural resource investigations. In projects like the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project, Logan Simpson strives to reclaim Native Americans’ points of view so traditional cultural values are considered.

    The United States Congress passed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, Title X Part III (Public Law 111-11), authorizing the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to construct, operate, and maintain the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project (NGWSP). The NGWSP will provide a reliable water source to indigenous communities and municipalities within the arid Southwest, bringing running water to many households for the first time.

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  • Apr
    2020
    16
    2020 / Apr / 16

    Don’t Postpone – Pivot!

    “What should we keep moving forward with, and how?” is one of the most common questions clients ask us during COVID-19. This is especially difficult because the present pandemic impacts so many fundamental aspects of our life: our health, our psychology, our relationships, our schedules, and our household and organization’s pocketbooks.  While it is tempting to postpone meetings and milestones, it is better to embrace alternative facilitation and delivery options to ensure projects continue to move forward and stakeholders remain informed.

    You know that initiatives require buy-in to become a reality, so how can you promote understanding and help people feel heard during the new normal—especially when your agency has been a late adopter of emerging technologies?

    …

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