www.healthcarebuildingideas.com/ME2/Sites/dirmod.asp?si -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 12/29/2005
Last Visited: 7/3/2009
Panelists: Jody Barry, Florida Hospital Orlando; Borron J. Owen, Jr., Esq., GrayRobinson
...
Fortunately, Burrill, Jody Barry and Borron J. Owen, Jr., Esq. - all of whom work extensively with Florida Hospital of Orlando, the flagship campus for Adventist Health System, the largest non-profit health system in the country - have a four-step prescription for dealing with government officials.
...
Barry, property administrator for Florida Hospital of Orlando, elaborated on ways to build healthy relationships.
He recommended assessing the situation from a public servant's point of view.
"Learn your community's issues," he said.
"If you have traffic and transportation problems, maybe your city wants you to design [your building to include] bus and rail stops."
Barry also suggested learning and using the staff's current buzzwords - such as "mixed-use development" and "pedestrian-friendly.
And the latest, Barry joked, "you've probably heard this... green, green and green."
Another way to build a relationship is to include officials in your early design meetings.
Ask for their ideas and suggestions.
If they can become familiar with your project early on, Barry said, they will feel responsible for it and become more of a partner than an obstacle.