HDR Business News

Post by **Coyote** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:50 pm

In Albuquerque.

Rail System: Lack of money no hitch to plan
Design firm hired for mod streetcar

The City Council on Monday unanimously approved hiring HDR Engineering Inc. of Omaha, Neb., as a design consultant for the so-called modern streetcar project.

HDR, which has a 75-person staff in its Albuquerque office, was chosen to design the project during a bidding process based on qualifications. The company also designed Phoenix's light rail project and the modern streetcar system in Portland, Ore.

I did not know that HDR did Portland's system.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:10 pm

Oh man

, I was so excited and wondering what I missed when I first read the title. What a disappointment. The only good thing that I can think of is that HDR has a lot of experience in this and hopefully that carries a lot of weight here. It may or may not have been intentional to mislead, but you're twisted man.

Post by **Coyote** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:17 pm

adam186 wrote:It may or may not have been intentional to mislead, but you're twisted man.

What? Me - Coyote - mislead anyone?

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:06 pm

you just gave me calc 1,2,3 flash backs, i need to call my sponser

so how much did they say our's would cost?

Harpoon · Post by **Harpoon** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:19 pm

Coyote wrote:I did not know that HDR did Portland's system.

I don't think HDR did that project either, but I think they hired the individual that was pretty instrumental to the project. Charles Hall or something like that.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:20 pm

MTO wrote:so how much did they say our's would cost?

A respectible $100 mil.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:39 pm

You know we've all been very much in tune with Omaha Street Car thanks to our own Eric Miller... which I think is a fantastic effort, high on enthusiasm. But I think we've largely been overlooking the quiet goings on with Heritage Services. This is the local philanthropic group which accounted for the largest portion of private funding for the Qwest Center and Holland Center. They are apparently also very interested in light rail in Omaha. HDR refers to them in their March 2006 publication TransitLine ( http://www.hdrinc.com/Assets/documents/ ... etcars.pdf ).

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:55 pm

Well, I'm extremely happy for Albuquerque, since New Mexico is my second home, and I'm happy for HDR since they're an Omaha company.

Now for my b*tch.

I know I've pointed this out, before, but Albuquerque is smaller than Omaha!!! And the margins WIDENED with the 2005 metro pop. estimates. And they're persuing $240 million streetcar project? Not only that, but their project is worth $140 million more than our 'hypothetical system'.

AND! AND! Santa Fe is SMALLER (by a lot) than Lincoln, yet commuter rail is BEING BUILT between ABQ and Santa Fe RIGHT NOW.

I just can't believe that we, as a city, are not jumping all over this kind of thing, not only because it's necessary, but because WE CAN, and it would be a gem in our crown.

Anyway, I have EVERY confidence that our streetcar system will be reality within a matter of years. And hopefully we'll get commuter rail going soon, too.

Albuquerque, although smaller than Omaha, sets a PHENOMENAL example for progressive urban thinking of which Omaha should really take notice.

Post by **Coyote** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 11:08 pm

I agree Aaron.

I lived outside Santa Fe for 15 years and see the similarities between our states. Albuquerque the only city in the state (Las Cruces and El Paso don't count) and Santa Fe the state capital. You fly into ABQ to get to SF - so a system between the two are important. BUT - I had no idea that they were thinking of a city rail system in ABQ - and state politics in NM are so old boy. You think we have yahoos from out state....

If ABQ can do this - and with HDR getting this project - I cannot but think the portents are pointing in the right direction for Omaha. Hence the reason I posted the link.

Oh - and ABQ airport's redevelopment a few years back - it has to be the best looking airport for the size of the city.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 11:24 pm

Yeah, the airport's not too shabby. The circa 90's southwest designs are getting a little dated, but it's still a GREAT facility.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 12:26 am

I agree with you Aaron..

Although Albuquerque is actually growing at a faster rate than Omaha this decade and is closing the gap in the metro population difference (they've added 68,000+ vs Omaha's 46,000+ since the 2000 census)..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Zephyr · Post by **Zephyr** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 8:33 am

I would say the main difference between Omaha and Albuquerque is the leadership - Governor Richardson is behind both projects.

Here's the website for their commuter rail service, which will start later this year:
http://www.nmrailrunner.com/
Phase 2 would bring it to Santa Fe, I think that will open either 2008/2009.

Our company will also work on the Albuquerque streetcar project, mostly doing the engineering side.

Post by **Coyote** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 11:30 am

Omaha's Public Transportation

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 11:48 am

Beautiful. I want to break out the Apple //e and Loderunner.

-Big E

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:33 pm

On this topic, I'm really jealous of New Mexico's leadership.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 11:20 pm

Streets, your rant upsets me that Omaha is not doing the same. You pointed out a lot of facts that I was unaware of. This thing would've been a "So what" issue for me, but you, cowboy, and coyote really put this into a related issue for Omaha. I too am jealous of their government, but we are making steps (even as small as they maybe).

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 11:36 pm

Yes, it IS upsetting. There is NO, absolutely NO reason that we shouldn't ALREADY be enjoying both commuter rail and light rail in Omaha.

But instead, we'll have the beautiful, progressive West Dodge Espressway and 6-lane I-80 between Omaha and Lincoln.

NDOR/NE LEGISLATURE/NE GOVERNOR = Worthless.

ABQdweller · Post by **ABQdweller** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:13 am

I was not aware of HDR until this news broke last week. Sounds like they were the best choice. The state is currently very lucky to be reaping the rewards of the prices of gas. Revenue has been in the hundreds of millions the past few years and is expected to break a billion dollars soon. Not sure our political leaders would have ever, and I repeat, ever made this project happen without that money and without Richardson desire and the mayor's bullying. I think people are really getting excited for both of these projects.

On a side note, we've actually added 85,000 people since the 2000 census. We might catch up with you if you'd stop growing into cities

On a recent test run...

The unveiling of the new cars...

Post by **Coyote** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 8:15 am

Those are going to be sweet! Love the Roadrunner

ModestMouse · Post by **ModestMouse** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 10:24 am

oooh sweeeeet!

I would love for y'all to have light rail...

But we aren't the east coast...people are generally have BAD BAD sterotypes of public transport.

We are in a bit of a unique situation...do we model our public transport after the west coast...or the east coast?

I mean, like I LOVE trains...when I traveled to europe I loved just hopping on a train and going over a few countries to another place, it beats the pants off of traveling by freeway.

Maybe I'm a bit too dreamy, but I'd love to have high speed rail service between alot of the midwest cities. y'know, get on the train, travel to KC, go back...etc

That'd be awesome.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 12:57 pm

ModestMouse wrote:We are in a bit of a unique situation...do we model our public transport after the west coast...or the east coast?

What are talking about man, that makes no sense at all? What models?

ModestMouse wrote:Maybe I'm a bit too dreamy, but I'd love to have high speed rail service between alot of the midwest cities. y'know, get on the train, travel to KC, go back...etc

That is being planned right now. I don't know what stage they are on. I remember they the routes mapped and a price tag last time I heard anything about it.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 12:59 pm

I agree, MM. There is an organization called the Midwest Highspeed Rail Initiative that promotes highspeed rail travel throughout the midwest.

Although, Im' not sure what you mean when you say 'follow the east coast or follow the west coast'.

First of all, there are cities on both coasts with rail transit, and there are cities in the MIDWEST that use rail transit; Chicago, St. Louis, etc.

jsheets · Post by **jsheets** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:39 pm

We should have something in Omaha/Lincoln/CB by now, I agree. Shoot, Kawasaki even makes subway/rail cars (for NYC & Boston) behind the airport in Lincoln.

And HDR has some awesome projects out there. One of the most impressive is the Hoover Dam Bypass bridge: http://www.hdrinc.com/13/38/1/default.aspx?projectID=27
Absolutely amazing!
http://www.hooverdambypass.org/

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:52 pm

Man, we've come along way since then. Cool, thanks for posting that.

ModestMouse · Post by **ModestMouse** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:10 am

what I meant was this.

Do we end up being like LA, with only freeways...cars...etc

or can we end up a bit more like NYC, DC...etc who have a decent transportation system within the city.

That's what I mean.

You are at the beginning of possibly going either way.

Hooloovoo · Post by **Hooloovoo** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 6:03 pm

ModestMouse wrote:what I meant was this.

Do we end up being like LA, with only freeways...cars...etc

or can we end up a bit more like NYC, DC...etc who have a decent transportation system within the city.

That's what I mean.

You are at the beginning of possibly going either way.

Honestly, I think that it would behoove Omaha to work for a combination of both worlds, good roads and a nice mass transit system. When I went to San Diego in January, I was floored by how nice their mass transit system ran, combining the busses and the rail. And at the same time, their highway system looked very nice (I wasn't about to rent a car just to get lost in San Diego).

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 6:48 pm

^One thing about roads from the west coast is that the weather is so much nicer. Snow, rain, variable weather temps, salt, ice, etc can really take a toll on roads. That's why most of the roads in the midwest and NE are in worse condition.

I do agree w/ Hooloovo, it has to be fair combination of both (but a little more towards mass transit).

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:28 pm

NDoR pry doesn’t have the power to pull of a mass transit system quite like CalTrans….. One thing I noticed about Cali roads is they oil them down occasionally and it gets |expletive| all over your car. Don’t know why they do it but maybe we should here in Nebraska too.

Hooloovoo · Post by **Hooloovoo** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:29 pm

adam186 wrote:^One thing about roads from the west coast is that the weather is so much nicer. Snow, rain, variable weather temps, salt, ice, etc can really take a toll on roads. That's why most of the roads in the midwest and NE are in worse condition.

I do agree w/ Hooloovo, it has to be fair combination of both (but a little more towards mass transit).

I hadn't thought about the weather's toll on the roads. That's an interesting point.

That being said, we don't want to end up with a road system mess like happens in some cities, so Omaha needs to plan roads with future growth in mind and at the same time, get some sort of decent mass transit. Heck, if they could get the busses working more consistently and expand their service, that could be a first step towards some sort of rail system. I know I'd use the busses if they were convenient for my work (alas, busses don't run at 3:30AM).

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:35 pm

They do plan ahead for future growth when it comes to the road and highways. Although more could be done.

Also where should we get the extra money from to improve MAT’s service? The Invisible 500,000 people in western Douglas County?

Hooloovoo · Post by **Hooloovoo** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:53 pm

MTO wrote:They do plan ahead for future growth when it comes to the road and highways. Although more could be done.

Also where should we get the extra money from to improve MAT’s service? The Invisible 500,000 people in western Douglas County?

The money trees hidden in Neal Woods

Seriously, I don't know the answer. Part of the problem comes from the fact that more money is needed, which could be gained if the service were better, but that requires more money.

But considering we were able to get a buttload of money from the federal government for a footbridge across the Missouri River, one would think that we could get some for improved mass transit in the metro.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:58 pm

Well don’t get me wrong I do agree MAT need some improvement. Particularly in their mentality and philosophy!

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 8:38 pm

Not just their mentality and philosophy, but their creed, motto and principles, as well.

-Big E

midtown charlie · Post by **midtown charlie** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 9:03 pm

I still don't get why people are so down on the footbridge. I'd like to see those same people walk across the interstate bridge.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 9:29 pm

Well it is a federal requirement that we have pedestrian access over the river after all…

Post by **Brad** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 12:08 pm

HDR's new logo:

HDR wrote:

They "refreshed their brand Identity"
http://www.hdrinc.com/about-hdr/news-an ... d-identity" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BBvideo 560,340][/BBvideo]

.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 11:28 am

http://www.omaha.com/money/acquisitions ... 1d6e9.html

Omaha-based HDR will kick off the new year with about 700 new employees and 25 more offices, growing its global workforce by nearly 9 percent to about 9,200 employees.

The expansion comes with today’s announcement of the acquisition of Tennessee-based Infrastructure Corp. of America and the asset purchase of Georgia-based MEI.

ICA, which now will do business as HDR/ICA, specializes in transportation, engineering, asset maintenance and management. MEI is a liquid natural gas consulting firm that now will operate as HDR/MEI.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Eric Keen, president of HDR engineering, said the deals mark the largest growth spurt in at least two decades for the private, employee-owned HDR, which operates in more than 225 locations throughout the world. HDR specializes in engineering, architectural, construction and consulting services.

JoshCTi · Post by **JoshCTi** » Fri Jun 05, 2015 8:59 am

Just saw this last night. Big design change from what they currently have.

http://www.interiordesign.net/articles/ ... dquarters/

Post by **Coyote** » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:12 am

HDR's new CEO is focused on a smooth transition and building on company's progress

By Steve Jordon / World-Herald staff writer wrote:When George Little retired as chairman and CEO at the end of 2017, Keen moved up, becoming HDR’s eighth CEO in its 101 years.

Keen, 60, said the goal is a smooth transition, continuing to build HDR’s 217-office network, initiating its latest five-year plan, acquiring engineering and design companies with growth in mind and expanding its services for clients.

Even from Little’s predecessor, Richard Bell, Keen said, “We have always been on the same page with regards to employee ownership, where our company is going, how to go about growing the organization, the commitment to have Omaha as our headquarters and our home.

obvious2677 · Post by **obvious2677** » Thu Mar 29, 2018 7:18 am

iamjacobm wrote:http://www.omaha.com/money/acquisitions ... 1d6e9.html

Omaha-based HDR will kick off the new year with about 700 new employees and 25 more offices, growing its global workforce by nearly 9 percent to about 9,200 employees.

The expansion comes with today’s announcement of the acquisition of Tennessee-based Infrastructure Corp. of America and the asset purchase of Georgia-based MEI.

ICA, which now will do business as HDR/ICA, specializes in transportation, engineering, asset maintenance and management. MEI is a liquid natural gas consulting firm that now will operate as HDR/MEI.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Eric Keen, president of HDR engineering, said the deals mark the largest growth spurt in at least two decades for the private, employee-owned HDR, which operates in more than 225 locations throughout the world. HDR specializes in engineering, architectural, construction and consulting services.

Offloaded at least part of this acquisition. https://www.hdrinc.com/news-and-events/ ... i-services

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