An area of Charleston, WV that was once bypassed by local foot traffic is now drawing the attention of locals and travelers as they pass through the revitalized Slack Plaza. As the sole inspector for this crucial City of Charleston project, I represented Mead & Hunt’s Charleston CEI team and led the construction inspection to completion.
Big Shoes to Fill.
The city needed someone to serve as an extension of their staff, provide quality and thorough inspection services, and advocate efficiently on their behalf. I was put on the job as a solo inspector with a big task ahead of me. While I had served on several construction jobs as part of a team in the past, this was my first time tackling something of this magnitude on my own. This was the kind of job that typically would be assigned to a more seasoned and vastly experienced inspector, but Mead & Hunt had confidence in my abilities and asked me to represent the firm while satisfying the city’s needs. I learned lessons that will continue to guide me throughout my construction career. If you ever find yourself facing a feat that seems bigger than anything you have faced before, feel free to call on these crucial lessons.
Communication Is Key.
I realized early that I needed to meet the city’s expectations while keeping cost and schedule in mind. The city only had the resources to employ a part-time inspector, but I quickly learned that their needs required full-time attention. The solution to facing this monumental task with a lack of resources hinged on communication. I efficiently utilized my time by keeping effective communication at the forefront of my work.
I focused on improving my communication skills to deal with conflicting demands from various stakeholders on the project. I asked questions in a way that appealed to each party’s interest but still allowed me to receive the answers I needed to guide my work.
Having a background in civil engineering design also gave me further insight to serve the city in the most efficient way possible. While designs may look good on paper, this does not necessarily mean they transfer to a solid design in the field. Thanks to my civil engineering knowledge, I identified a design issue and worked to mitigate a solution early in the schedule. It was critical to take a proactive inspection approach to get ahead of red flags before they were implemented. Because of my early and frequent communication with the city engineer, we received approval to change the implementation. Thankfully, we caught this issue early, which would have wasted resources if it would have been caught and fixed later.
Lessons Learned.
My holistically informed approach and perspective to the construction engineering and inspection process aided me in my role on this crucial project. I did not just stick to the status quo; I went above and beyond to be a part of the solution development while tapping into my other realms of experience. Now, the once-desolate Slack Plaza area is a revitalized urban area that offers a transportation hub and brings festivals, patrons, citizens, and activities to the City of Charleston.
