6
In Office LaBella Associates | Winter 2018
Public Engagement
Staying Community Conscious Even the most basic project or development can become controversial in today’s polarized environment. In an age where an opinion (whether or not it’s based on facts) can influence thousands of others by a click on Facebook or Twitter, thinking ahead about everybody with an interest in a project is critical. We know how difficult it can be to engage stakeholders and put an end to misinformation. When a project is up for vote, it’s imperative that community members have all the facts. Recognizing this, LaBella offers stakeholder engagement services to ensure your community is on the same page. Stakeholder engagement (or stakeholder management) is planning in advance for the involvement of stakeholders, especially for municipal leaders and those proposing projects before a municipality. This article can serve as a field guide for managing all of the issues that can arise with stakeholders. There are four basic elements to stakeholder engagement—Identification & Analysis, Communications Planning, Engagement Method, and Crafting the Plan. continued at right
Now more than ever before, your constituents are getting their news from social networks such as Nextdoor and neighborhood groups on Facebook.
Project News
Techni-law-gically Advanced: Cattaraugus County Courthouse Outdated courtrooms are an all too common occurrence— and the Cattaraugus County Courthouse was no exception. TV’s had to be wheeled in to play video, evidence was projected using transparencies, and anyone with a physical disability was out of luck. Not anymore. Our team of interior designers are adept at coordinating the selection and installation of “smart” furniture, with associated data and AV capabilities.
Now, jurors can see evidence projected onto a large-format LCD screen, making pertinent details
clearer and easier to see. Infrared assisted listening devices were also added to the space to accommodate those with hearing impairment. With universality as a key design focus, all areas of the courtroom are now ADA compliant. Engineers equipped the jury box, judge’s bench, and attorney tables with numerous AV, data, and power connections making it easier to share evidence and data within the court room. For the most part, the new technology and digital ports are hidden to maintain a traditional look, which was updated with cherry veneer wall panels and new furniture.