Frequently Asked Questions

We specialize exclusively in fleet maintenance and operations & maintenance (O&M) facilities, including:

• Fleet repair and maintenance garages

• Public works and corporation yard campuses

• Highway and streets department facilities

• Utility service centers

• Vehicle storage, wash bays, and fueling systems

• Salt, brine, and material storage structures

• Water & sewer maintenance facilities

• Airport operations maintenance center

• Power utility service center

• Port authority maintenance facilities

Our focus is operationally driven facilities that support essential public services.

Yes. While we are headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we provide fleet maintenance facility planning and O&M consulting services nationwide and in Canada. Our project experience spans multiple states across five time zones, supporting public agencies, utilities, airports, and transit organizations.

As early as possible. Engaging us during programming or pre-design allows operational requirements, repair bay planning, site logistics, and capital budgeting decisions to be aligned from the outset. Early involvement reduces risk, prevents costly redesign, and strengthens long-term facility performance.

Yes. We offer flexible engagement models. Clients may engage us for programming, master planning, conceptual layout development, peer review during design development, or fleet-specific consulting during construction. We regularly join projects at various stages to strengthen operational alignment.

Yes. We conduct facility assessments and operational analyses to determine whether renovation, expansion, consolidation, or replacement is the most effective path forward. Our evaluations consider workflow efficiency, safety, durability, site constraints, and long-term lifecycle cost.

No. We frequently serve as the fleet and O&M specialist within larger project teams. In these cases, a local architect may serve as architect of record while we provide programming, repair bay planning, equipment integration expertise, and operational peer review services.

Repair bay programming is based on fleet composition, preventive maintenance intervals, staffing levels, service duration, throughput targets, and long-term growth projections. We use metric-based analysis and industry benchmarks to determine appropriate capacity rather than relying on generic ratios.

We align facility planning with measurable performance indicators such as:

• Vehicle uptime

• Repair throughput

• Technician productivity

• Safety performance

• Response time

• Lifecycle cost

Design decisions are structured to support these operational outcomes.

Meeting frequency depends on project phase. Programming and conceptual design typically involve more frequent collaboration. As projects progress into technical documentation, meetings become milestone-based. We establish clear schedules and expectations at the outset.

We recommend appointing a primary project representative. In addition, input from fleet managers, mechanics, supervisors, parts staff, operations leadership, and finance stakeholders is critical during programming and design validation phases.

Typical information includes:

• Fleet inventory and growth projections

• Maintenance schedules and staffing data

• Existing facility drawings or site surveys

• Operational workflow insights

• Utility infrastructure information

• Previous planning studies

This data allows us to develop accurate, defensible facility programs.

Fleet and O&M projects often evolve. If operational needs or budgets shift, we evaluate impacts, present options, and adjust the project approach while maintaining focus on performance, schedule discipline, and capital efficiency.

Yes. When serving as prime architect, we assemble and coordinate a full consultant team. When engaged as a specialist consultant, we collaborate closely with all disciplines to ensure integrated, operationally aligned solutions.

Yes. We assist with facility needs assessments, operational justification narratives, space programming documentation, and presentation materials for boards, councils, and funding agencies. We can also attend public meetings as needed.