30
/ BUILDING DIALOGUE / DECEMBER 2014
What would you like to ask of architects?
I’m really pushing AIA and architects to push us. Let’s
not play a B-minus game. We have the leverage to really
create some amazing places. Truly transformational, cata-
lytic change. I didn’t leave RNL to make a small difference
here. I’m really committed, during whatever short time I
have in this seat, to make some extremely positive change.
I encourage AIA take a substantial seat at the table and
architects to push their thinking and to push us in our
thinking so we are creating catalytic and transformational
solutions.
What about your clients in general?
I believe we owe them a debt of gratitude. These are the
people in our city who are taking the financial risk – risk-
ing their financial and emotional capital in implementing
our plans. It’s about making improvements to a house that
may be an eyesore on the block, or improvements to a run-
down part of town. These investments pay huge dividends.
They are taking pride in our city, and the ripple effect is
amazing. Look what’s happened to the Brighton Boulevard
corridor over the last few months, or Lower Larimer. Holy
cow, the adaptive reuse efforts are transforming block af-
ter block. These are the folks who are getting it done.
It’s about place-based economic development. Making
smart decisions on every level and producing triple bot-
tom-line investments. We support the folks who are tak-
ing the investment risk in implementing our vision that
we’ve created with them (stakeholders, neighborhoods, in-
vestors, etc.), to implement the vision that our plans are
asking for. We need to be appreciative of that, and support
that as best as we can. So, most of these improvements
focus on the customer experience, so we can improve on
our broader mission.
Any parting thoughts you would like to
share with the readers of Building Dialogue?
There is nothing we can’t do in Denver right now. There
is nothing we can’t do. Every decision matters. It is often
easy to think that it can’t be done, but I’ve seen the amazing
change that’s happened – often one small move at a time.
Now, looking back, I see how each of the small decisions
was critical and we were building what Denver was going
to be “next.” Now, when we’re talking about Ninth and Col-
orado, the National Western Complex, the rest of the devel-
opment at River North, etc., I take all of these conversations
very seriously. I consider myself very lucky to be a part of
this, to be making a difference for our city in this way. Every
single decision is important. There are no small decisions.
I feel really truly honored to be doing this, and that’s from
the heart – it’s not a clichéd statement. Jennifer (Moulton)
is the one who introduced me to a civic life. The last con-
versation I had with her before she died was that I should
do this job. She was a powerful person who was incredibly
collaborative, yet she was able to consistently bring out the
best in everyone.
\\
est. 1984
Since 1984, we have built our reputation
on a unique blend of creativity, a passion
for problem-solving and an enthusiasm
for innovative ideas that transforms good
building projects into great ones.
We sincerely thank our clients for the trust
you have placed in us, and we thank our
employees for your commitment to serving
our clients in extraordinary ways.
30
years
celebrating
Chesterfield, MO (636) 537-9700 │ Aurora, CO (303) 657-9700 │ AskBrinkmann.com
We are proud to be celebrating
30 years
of providing
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with our clients.
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