How Planning Services Can Benefit Municipalities of Any Size
By David Phillips, Senior Planner
Municipalities, regardless of their size, face unique challenges when it comes to managing capital projects and infrastructure development. Planning services offer a comprehensive solution to these challenges, ensuring that cities can effectively manage growth, budget constraints, and facility needs. Because planning services will vary according to a city or town’s specific needs, understanding the possibilities is essential before engaging a firm. Here are some key benefits you can look for:
Expertise Beyond In-House Capabilities
Many municipalities have an in-house director of facilities, but the influx of money from population growth or federal funding can overwhelm their capacity. Planning services can offer specialized expertise to handle these situations, allowing cities to improve and build infrastructure without the need to hire additional short-term staff. This ensures that best practices are implemented from day one, and once a project is completed, the planning services firm can seamlessly transition to the next project or assist another municipality.
Real-Time Cost Estimates and Budget Confidence
When a city outgrows a facility, such as a library, planning services provide real-time cost estimates during the design phase. This is a critical skill that many cities lack in-house. By offering accurate budget and cost projections, the planning services firm instills confidence in financial planning and helps municipalities avoid costly surprises.
Strategic Planning and Site Selection
Using demographic studies and GIS mapping planning services can help municipalities anticipate future needs and assist with site selection for new facilities, such as ballfields for growing populations. This strategic planning ensures that municipalities are prepared for growth and can make informed decisions about where to invest in new infrastructure.
Comprehensive Facility Assessments
By conducting thorough assessments of all current facilities, planning services firms can evaluate their lifecycles and plan for upgrades, maintenance, and growth. This holistic approach covers the entire lifecycle of a facility, from new construction to maintenance and eventual replacement. By continuously evaluating facility conditions and projecting future needs, firms can help municipalities make informed decisions about capital spending.
Phased Planning and Cash Flow Management
With the influx of funds, municipalities often face the challenge of deciding what to build or replace first. Planning services assist in phasing projects, budgeting based on current and future construction costs, and managing cash flow over time. This phased approach ensures that municipalities can prioritize projects effectively and maintain financial stability.
Accountability and Community Engagement
Planning services help municipalities remain accountable to taxpayers by presenting plans and progress to boards and community leaders. This transparency builds trust and ensures that projects are aligned with community needs and expectations. Good firms act as a partner, working closely with city leaders to manage projects and deliver results.
Leveraging Relationships and Expertise
With an extensive network of consultants and architects throughout a region, planning services firms can bring in the right experts for each project. This reach and relationship-building benefit municipalities by providing access to top-tier professionals and resources.
Supporting Cities Through Change
Whether a city is experiencing rapid growth or undergoing significant changes, planning services offer move management and other support services to help municipalities navigate transitions smoothly. By partnering with a firm, cities can focus on running their operations while the firm handles the complexities of capital projects.
No matter what size your municipality, HPM planning services can provide municipalities with the expertise, strategic planning, and comprehensive support needed to manage capital projects effectively. From real-time cost estimates to phased planning and community engagement, HPM ensures that cities can grow and thrive while maintaining financial stability and accountability.
