May 2021
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Managing landowner relationships is a key to success for infrastructure projects. Although GUY's design engineers strive to limit right of way impacts, some projects just cannot be built within the existing right of way. This is where GUY's right of way acquisition professionals step in, working to acquire property rights so projects can be completed on schedule and budget. At the same time, this team is making sure property owners understand their rights and that those rights are protected. Central to their role is listening so that they understand project concerns and can make decisions that benefit both clients and landowners.
GUY's growing right of way acquisition department has a proven track record of knowledge and experience to meet industry standards and requirements. Team members are also continually learning and training to better serve clients. Department manager Sasha Jbara is pursuing Right of Way Uniform Act Certification (R/W URAC) and recently completed her final class before taking the URAC exam. In addition, Right of Way Agent Jason Mock passed his Relocation Assistance Certification (RAC) exam as part of receiving the R/W RAC certification. Contact us to see how GUY can help you navigate the challenging right of way acquisition process.
Making Connections
GUY assisted with a joint project between the City of Miami and Ottawa County to construct a pedestrian bridge linking the ball fields at the Joe Pollock Sports Complex to the new Route 66 Miami Splash Pad. The location placement and elevation of this bridge was critical so as to not impact the floodplain in this area.
Memorial Day is more than the first holiday of the summer season, a three-day weekend, and a time for barbecues and trips to the lake. It is a day of honor and remembrance, set aside to honor soldiers who died during wars fought by American forces. Many people also clean and decorate the graves of all their loved ones. Here are five facts about Memorial Day you might not know:
- Memorial Day began as Decoration Day after the Civil War, with the first national celebration taking place on May 30, 1858.
- While cities in the south also lay claim to the first Memorial Day celebration, President Lyndon Johnson in 1966 recognized Waterloo, New York as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. The town first planned a Memorial Day commemoration in 1866 and has continued the annual tradition every year since.
- After World War I, the day was expanded to honor all those who have died in American wars.
- Memorial Day was originally celebrated on May 30.
- In 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act changed Memorial Day to be the last Monday in May. This change took effect in 1971.
What are your plans for Memorial Day? Engineering Technician Becky Pitts and her husband will be traveling to Stillwell to decorate family member graves, while Accounting Manager Dottie Hagan will be attending a Memorial Day ceremony at Green Hill Cemetery in Sapulpa. Dottie will also have a family picnic in the afternoon, with water fights and nerf gun battles. Like Dottie, Senior Engineer Russell Dixon will be enjoying family time, making homemade pizzas in their outdoor pizza oven. Or maybe you will be traveling - AAA predicts that more than 37 million Americans will travel during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Among them will be GUY president Rebecca Alvarez, who is heading to Savannah, GA for some rest and relaxation.
