7-16-2020
As a former Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Parametrix believes in the importance of creating meaningful partnerships with DBE and Minority Business Enterprises (MBE). We’re introducing you to a few of the MBE/DBE firms we’ve had
the pleasure of working with.
Bright Engineering, Inc. was founded in 1997 by Ade Bright, PE, SE. The firm specializes in structural engineering and is a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE).
Located in downtown Seattle, Bright Engineering has designed essential components of many prestigious projects in the region, such as Century Link Stadium (home of the Seattle Seahawks), Sound Transit’s SeaTac Airport Station, the West Seattle Water
Taxi, and Washington State University’s Recreation Center in Pullman.
more)
7-09-2020
As part of our on-call contract with the City of Bothell, Parametrix is providing construction management services for the replacement of a pedestrian bridge across the Sammamish River at the Park at Bothell Landing. The Parametrix team includes Matt Kastberg (project manager), Jeff Sweet, and David Ulrich.
The new structure is a timber-truss bridge with a 12-foot wide deck that meets current structural and ADA standards while maintaining the iconic arched look of the old bridge. The flatter deck and approach grades provide a fully accessible shared-use, non-motorized path for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Funding for the project came from a $1,175,000 Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement grant and a $1,080,300 State Recreation and Conservation Office Washington Wildlife and Recreation trails grant.
Last month, the new bridge was hoisted into place. Jeff Sweet put together this video showing t... (more)
7-01-2020
We’re extending our celebration of Pride Month for one more employee-owner feature. Michael Baker is a transportation planner based out of our Salt Lake City office. He has been with Parametrix for nearly 10 years.
What does Pride Month mean to you?
To me, Pride Month is about embracing who you truly are. It's exhausting and unsustainable to pretend that a part of my family doesn't exist while embracing other aspects of who I am. Hence in the spirit of Pride Month, I’d like to take this opportunity to come out as bisexual and in two happy, ethical polyamorous relationships. Naturally, this can make introductions (not to mention scheduling) a tad complicated as in, “this is my fiancée Erika, my boyfriend Austin, and his husband Arlo.” The four of us regularly spend time together whether that is over brunch, dinner, or a weekend of camping. I've been blessed to have Erika i... (more)
6-30-2020
Over the last few weeks we’ve shared the stories of Parametrix employee-owners who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Savanna Hasegawa was a catalyst in encouraging this series. Thank you, Savanna, for advocating for greater visibility and representation of the LGBTQ+ community at Parametrix.
She says that as someone who came out at 14 years old, she’s very comfortable being “out” at work, but hoped this series might serve as a way to make others feel more confident being fully themself in a work environment.
Savanna was hired at Parametrix in 2015 as an Administrative Assistant in the Puyallup office. She now serves as a Project Coordinator for the Puget Sound Community Building group. In this role she is often working out of client project offices.
Last year, Savanna and her wife, Anika, got married and began their pregnancy journey.
more)
6-18-2020
June is Pride Month! To celebrate we'll be featuring Parametrix employee-owners who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Today, we would like to introduce you to Tresia Gonzalez. Tresia is a Senior Planner in the Seattle Transportation group. She has been with Parametrix for 18 years and specializes in major corridor studies and traffic modeling.
Tresia participated in our emerging leaders program and now serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. She identifies as queer.
I asked Tresia a few questions about her personal life and career. Read her responses below.
What drew you to the transportation industry? What inspires you about your work?
I actually didn’t intend to do the work I do!
Within the civil engineering department, I focused on environmental, taking classes such as hazardous waste and ground water flow. Towards the... (more)
6-17-2020
The class of 2020 didn’t get the traditional graduation ceremony that most of us experience. They do however have the honor of participating in what are probably some of the first ever virtual graduation ceremonies.
The Parametrix leadership team and supervisors recorded a special message for our graduates. Watch that here.
We would like to introduce you to the Parametrix Class of 2020 and congratulate them on this accomplishment. Read more about each below.
Piper Everson | Portland, OR
Oregon State University | BS, Civil Engineering
more)
6-16-2020
This month marks the 50th anniversary of Pride month traditions. LGBTQ Pride month is held each year in June to honor and commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, which served as a turning point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United states. In a landmark decision, just this week the Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act barring sex discrimination in the workplace protects LGBTQ employees.
At Parametrix, we believe it’s important to recognize this month and celebrate the progress that has been made while also recognizing the steps we can take in becoming truly inclusive to all.
This month we’ll introduce you to several Parametrix employee-owners who identify as members of the LGBTQ community. They’ll discuss their career, personal life, as well as the challenges they’ve faced. Stay... (more)
5-14-2020
From New York to Oakland, cities across the United States are closing lanes or entire roadways in order to expand bike lanes and pedestrian environments, giving people under stay-at-home orders more space to walk and bike safely in their neighborhoods.
Salt Lake City and the Utah Department of Transportation are no exception. The agencies responded quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic. Together with Parametrix and other partners, the team reviewed and synthesized traffic and active transportation data to better understand the implications of the pandemic. With this information, they were able to identify roadways most suitable for temporary lane conversion based on essential business proximity, housing density, and other factors.
One of those lanes, 900 South, was opened in April as a result of this partnership. Salt Lake City had initiated other street closures on smaller roadways starting with 500 North, but... (more)
4-30-2020
Manchester Stormwater Park aerial view with Puget Sound in the background.
April is World Landscape Architecture Month. We’re celebrating landscape architects for their role in deepening the connections between people and the environment, citizens and their communities. At Parametrix, our team of landscape architects have had the privilege of working on projects that have a profound effect on the places we live, work, and visit. Read more about those meaningful projects below.
#1 - Northern Quest Resort & Casino Grand Plaza
Airway Heights, WA | Client: Kalispel Tribe of Indians
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more)
4-28-2020
Meet one of the newest employee-owners at Parametrix, Nicole Lipe. Nicole joins our Seattle Construction Management group. She graduated from University of California, Berkeley in 2018 and comes to Parametrix from Manson Construction where she worked on projects in Alaska, California, and Washington.
We asked Nicole a few questions about herself and her career – get to know her by reading her responses below!
Tell us about yourself – what are your hobbies, interests? Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Seattle, moved to Colorado for boarding school, and then went to college in California. I moved back to Seattle last year and am loving being back in the PNW!
Some of my favorite pastimes are spin classes, crossword puzzles, getting outdoors whether it be walking, going to a park, etc., and spending time with f... (more)