As part of the ongoing Disaster Planning for Historic Properties Initiative by PHMC, VPC facilitated two meetings in Bedford County Pennsylvania on May 1st, 2018. Local newspaper, the Altoona Mirror, attended the public meeting.
County Planning Commission Director Donald Schwartz stated "This is the first significant survey of historic properties in Bedford County in over 30 years." When attendees to the public meeting asked about being given access to the report and its findings, Mr. Schwartz stated "This is a major effort, we will promote and provide access to these documents."
"This is the first significant survey of historic properties in Bedford County in over 30 years."
-Donald Schwartz, Director, Bedford County Planning Commission
The Bedford County Planning Commission and the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission expect to release disaster mitigation actions for vulnerable historic properties by the end of June. The release will include action steps that historic building owners can take to protect against flooding, such as planting native vegetation along sides of the building and installing storm gutters, as the second part of a disaster planning initiative."
Read the full article written by the local newspaper here: https://bit.ly/2rkrQL3
Vision Planning and Consulting (VPC) facilitated two meetings in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, for the Phase II of the Pennsylvania Historic Museums Commission’s (PHMC) Disaster Planning for Historic Properties Initiative. VPC’s presentation to County officials, local officials, and community members discussed how settlement and development patterns increased the vulnerability of historic resources; regulations, ordinances, and guidelines for historic properties; and sample solutions.
VPC Team members discussed how building surveys from Phase I were used to develop the list of 36 representative properties selected, based on location; building type/style; architectural characteristics/details; and/or the resources representation of an important historic theme, such as those properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Attendees were presented with a sample of preservation-based hazard mitigation actions, which not only aim to protect historic resources from the impacts of natural hazards, but do so in a manner that does not jeopardize their historic integrity, significance, and/or historic designation/eligibility. Changing the appearance, materials, or location of a historic property can potentially alter or remove those features that made the property special to begin with. The goal is for a historic property owner, whose resource may not be included on the representative property list, to be able to find a similar property on the list, for appropriate hazard actions for their own property.
Local news station, BRC 13, was in attendance for the County meeting and VPC’s Planner, Andrew Estrain, was interviewed. Mr. Estrain explained that historic resources are unique considerations within the realm of hazard mitigation planning, and must be treated as such. Hazard mitigation actions applicable to properties in the traditional hazard mitigation planning process are not always applicable for historic properties. “Changing the appearance, materials, or location of a historic property can potentially alter or remove those features that made the property special to begin with. The goal is to protect the resource AND preserve the historic integrity, and that is what this project aims to do”.
To see the news segment, click here.
VPC is delighted to be selected by Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, and the Goldman Sachs 10,0000 Small Business (10ksb) team to participate in the 10,000 Small Businesses Baltimore program. “I understand that the selection process was very competitive and that VPC was selected from many outstanding applications and from a strong pool of candidates from the Maryland area, so I’m excited to be a Goldman Scholar. I built the business, now I want to take it to the next level and I think the 10ksb experience will get us there!” said VPC President and 10ksb participant, Deepa Srinivasan.
“I understand that the selection process was very competitive and that VPC was selected from many outstanding applications and from a strong pool of candidates from the Maryland area, so I’m excited to be a Goldman Scholar.
-VPC President Deepa Srinivasan
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a program for small businesses that links learning to action. Throughout the 12 week program, VPC will gain practical skills in topics such as negotiation, marketing, strategic growth, and employee management that we can immediately put into action. We will also receive the tools and professional support to develop a strategic and customized growth plan that will be geared to grow our businesses. The program offers modules, workshops, and clinics as well as additional outside of class activities and bridge work. These activities are targeted to directly working on our business, as well as participating in business support services offerings and clinics.
“We have such a diverse group of Goldman Scholars that I’m looking forward to learning from my peers just as much as from the program. It’s going to be a busy Spring!” says Deepa, excitedly.
VPC’s President, Deepa Srinivasan was pleased to be one of 250 business owners to attend the HUD Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Outreach Session at HUD’s Headquarters in Washington DC on 14 March 2018. “We gained some good insights on how to stay in the game and remain successful in federal contracting”, said VPC’s President.
The all-women panel discussion covered winning contracts and performing them effectively, as well as best practices and successful strategies for growing and sustaining federal contracts. The panel was moderated by Suzanne Tufts, Assistant Secretary for Administration, HUD, and included CEOs from women-owned businesses that were currently on contract with HUD. A “matchmaking” session followed, to allow for face-to-face meeting with the various HUD departments. These sessions provided good information on navigating the HUD space and upcoming procurement opportunities. Deepa Srinivasan said, “my big takeaway was that staying in is just as important as getting in!”
Some facts and figures:
In FY17, small business prime contract awards amounted to approximately 48% of all awards, exceeding HUD’s goal of 39%. Over $739 million in contracts were awarded to 188 small businesses.
Source: Small Business Drive Job Creation and Provide Economic Stimulus – Issue 01. FY 2017 Annual Report
The Port of Baltimore’s SERM is responsible for all environmental and emergency management programs related to the Port’s activities. Vision Planning & Consulting is working closely with the SERM Office to deliver a comprehensive look at neighborhood, city, national, and global trends that will shape the Port’s future over the next 30 years. The goals of this study are to: determine the Port’s viability in the next 30-50 years; identify potential roadblocks that could hinder the Port’s growth; identify inter-dependencies between the Port and its surrounding neighborhoods; and considerations to eventually increase cargo throughout.
The study examined the City’s growth sectors, target industries, market size, trends, and programs and initiatives related to transportation, economic development, workforce development, green infrastructure, and zoning. Goals and recommendations for more than eight surrounding neighborhood master plans were also reviewed, in light of the Port’s role as a catalyst to the surrounding communities.
“65 percent of today’s grade school kids in the U.S. will end up at jobs that haven’t even been invented yet.”
-World Economic Forum, 2014
Three other port cities (Boston, Oakland, Philadelphia), were examined for comparison. Six key economic indicators and their competitive advantages were reviewed for their impact on the Port with respect to direct, indirect, induced, and related jobs. VPC examined how the labor markets would alter and new job titles that would emerge in the next few decades.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the “Internet of Things” will reshape future production and logistics systems and will change the way companies work. In light of this, the “Smart” Port of the Future was examined, to get an understanding of new frontiers in other international ports and trends and changes among the major global carriers.
As many as “375 million jobs may be automated by 2030”
-CNN Tech, 2017
Other areas of research included an increase in freight demand, the Hyperloop, and how sea level change would reshape coastlines and water depths globally. Additionally, global trends to 2030 and their impacts on the port industry, and specifically the Port of Baltimore, were summarized and presented to the Maryland Ports Administration.
“11 automakers are committed to having driverless car technology ready by 2020. As self-driving cars become the new normal, millions of jobs will be threatened. Automation will lead to ‘fewer jobs that a robot cannot do better.’”
-Business Insider, 2017
On 18 January 2018, over 100 high school students from various Howard County schools participated in the Maryland DECA Regional Conference at Reservoir High School in Howard County. Students were fortunate to listen to a presentation by a member of Dale Carnegie Mid-Atlantic on leadership skills and then participated in a workshop on effective presentation skills. Conference topics covered a variety of career clusters including Sports and Entertainment, Retail Merchandizing, Marketing Communications, and Marketing Management.
VPC’s President, Deepa Srinivasan judged the Marketing Communications Series Event. Students were invited to a role-play event where they were provided a scenario and given 10 minutes to prepare and then present their recommendations. Evaluations were based on how well they met the performance indicators of their event: describing marketing functions and related activities; explaining factors that influence customer/client buying behavior; discussing actions for employees to take, to achieve the company’s desired results; explaining how businesses can use trade-show participation to communicate with targeted audiences; and participating in the design of marketing materials to promote their special event.
“What a talented group of young men and women and what a great way to hone in on their critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills”, said VPC’s President.
Vision Planning and Consulting (VPC) facilitated its first meeting in the City of Philadelphia for Phase 2 of the Pennsylvania Historic Museums Commission’s (PHMC) Disaster Planning for Historic Properties Initiative. VPC Team members presented to the Philadelphia Flood Task Force, comprised of members of several different City departments, a detailed overview of the project, including: Phase I background; GIS analysis methodology; architectural analysis and building selection criteria and process; goals and objectives; plan integration efforts; hazard mitigation action development; and incorporation of cultural resources into Philadelphia’s 2016 Hazard Mitigation Plan.
VPC Team members presented the GIS analysis and methodology for vulnerable historic properties. After identifying historically-significant areas and properties in the 100-year floodplain, such as Boathouse Row, Manayunk, and Fort Mifflin, a flood depth for each structure was calculated to determine flood risk, via inundation heights and damage percentages.
The VPC Team explained the selection criteria for representative properties: flood risk, building type, architectural style, current condition, current use, and location.The City Flood Task Force then participated in a goals and objectives exercise.
Property selections will be presented at the second round of City meetings, in the Spring of 2018, with a focus on mitigation action development.
VPC will continue to coordinate and work closely with PHMC and the Philadelphia Flood Task Force to create the most effective and feasible preservation-based hazard mitigation solutions. VPC will develop a mitigation strategy for the individual selected properties, and for the different building typologies common throughout the City. VPC will also develop holistic mitigation strategies for the historic districts that contain clusters of properties identified as vulnerable.
Vision Planning and Consulting (VPC) facilitated the first of four Joint Steering Committee (JSC) meetings in Howard County for the Flood and Hazard Mitigation Plan (FMP/HMP) Updates at the George Howard Building on December 7, 2017. VPC Team members presented: the project purpose and background, key players and steps in the planning process, schedule, and a preview of the risk assessment, plan integration efforts, and mitigation action development.
The JSC then participated in a Goals and Objectives exercise and evaluated each goal and objective from the current Flood and Hazard Mitigation Plans, for clarity, cohesiveness, and relevance.
VPC will meet with the JSC again in early February 2018 to discuss findings of the hazard identification and risk assessment. These findings will then be presented at a public meeting in late-February.
For over 55 years, Maryland DECA has developed emerging leaders and entrepreneurs so they can be college and career ready. VPC’s President volunteered at the DECA Fall Leadership Conference held on 9th November, 2017 in Baltimore, MD. High school students from local school chapters from across the state congregated to learn more about DECA and develop their leadership skills.
A DECA Team involves students on a goal setting exercise on their session titled: Achieving Your Goals through Communications
DECA state officers presented very interesting and engaging sessions that included topics such as Controlling your Public Image, What you need to Lead, A Master Guide to Social Media, etc. The theme this year is ‘Limitless’. “This theme is very apt”, says Deepa Srinivasan, “as there truly is no limit to what these talented students can achieve, with the business acumen and skill sets they develop at DECA, that they can carry with them as future professionals and leaders.”
The 2019 DECA Class of Future Leaders from Reservoir High School, Howard County, Maryland.
Vision Planning and Consulting (VPC) facilitated the first of two County meetings in Bedford County for Phase 2 of the Pennsylvania Historic Museums Commission’s (PHMC) Disaster Planning for Historic Properties Initiative. VPC Team members presented to Bedford County officials, a detailed overview of the project, including: background; GIS analysis methodology; architectural analysis and building selection overview; proposed County goals and objectives; plan integration efforts; hazard mitigation action development; and incorporation of historic properties into Bedford County’s newly updated Hazard Mitigation Plan.
VPC Team members presented the GIS analysis and methodology employed to determine the Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA) results for properties identified in Phase I. Following the determination of historically-significant structures in the 100-year floodplain, flood depth for each structure was calculated to determine flood risk, via inundation heights, during a 100-year flood. VPC then presented the list of 30 representative properties, based on flood vulnerability recommended for hazard mitigation action development. The 30 properties were selected based on structure type, architectural style, current condition, current use, and location, for which, mitigation actions will be developed.
The County participated in a goals and objectives exercise. Mitigation actions for each property will be presented at the second round of County meetings, scheduled for April 2018, for final approval, where the VPC Team will also work closely with the County and PHMC to prioritize the specific hazard mitigation actions, in order to create the most effective and feasible preservation-based hazard mitigation solutions.
