Project Role – Project Controls
The Team Spotlight highlights the contributions of the team members working to complete Phase II of the Capitol Complex Project.
Phase II of the Capitol Complex Project spans two city blocks and comprises three distinct construction sites. Managing the completion of one of these new facilities would be considered a large undertaking. Now imagine multiplying that by three, where each element must be coordinated and executed to progress each site while staying aligned with the larger project.
The Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) is managing the completion of Phase II and has engaged Square One Consultants to provide expertise in project controls. Project controls are the processes, systems, and tools that guide a project from beginning to end, ensuring that project goals are achieved and the project is completed within budget and on schedule.
A Commitment to Serving Clients and Communities
Square One is a Native American-owned firm headquartered in Austin, Texas. Founder and CEO Kevin Fleming always knew that he wanted a career in the building industry. He started college at The University of Texas in Austin, intending to get a law degree. However, his affinity for budgeting, scheduling, and building drew him to seek a degree in architectural engineering. After graduation, he worked for Lincoln Property Company, one of the largest private real estate companies in the U.S. By the time he was twenty-five, Fleming had developed his first project.
“I learned early in my career that if you work as a partner with owners and get them all the facts, they will make good decisions for their projects,” said Fleming.
In 1995, after years of developing relationships in the industry and building a reputation for owner-based service, Fleming founded Square One to represent owners in commercial project development. The name Square One refers to the importance of starting a project correctly from the very beginning.
Square One found early success, winning contracts on large, complex projects with national corporations and local utility companies, including Austin Energy and ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas).
“When we began, not many companies provided owner representation services. We filled a much-needed role on projects and brought expertise that owners were seeking,” explained Fleming.
In addition, Square One grew a reputation for supporting local non-profits. The firm’s second project was a ground-up facility for the Capitol Area Foodbank. As an Austin-based business, investing in the community is important to Square One.
“We are very entwined in the community and work for many non-profits. We live and work in the heart of the community and care about the people we serve,” said Fleming.
Cultivating Relationships and Growing with Their Clients
Square One has grown steadily through the years, building a solid reputation for providing owner services on the largest, most complex projects. The firm has forty-five employees with backgrounds in architecture, construction, and owner representation working in fifteen states. Square One serves a wide variety of sectors, including local municipal, county, State, commercial office, healthcare, multifamily, hospitality, hotels, gaming, K-12, higher education, non-profit, manufacturing, and data centers.
“We work with good partners and follow our clients wherever they need us. This has enabled our teams to grow and learn about processes and building systems in a variety of climates, conditions, and design styles,” said Fleming.
The company is intentional about growing organically by building boutique owner representation teams in Texas and other states. New employees are hired based on their expertise and alignment with the company culture. The new team members then mentor other team members to grow new leadership internally.
As Fleming explains, people are the key to success in the building industry. “Our people and reputation are paramount to us, and the future depends on our people. By investing in their futures, we believe we can build anything from a pharmacy to a space station.”
Project Controls from Start to Completion
Providing project controls on Phase II of the Capitol Complex Project means influencing every aspect of the project, including budgeting, scheduling, risk mitigation, communication, and logistics. It also means identifying project challenges and helping the project team determine solutions. More than fifty entities are involved in Phase II, which translates to thousands of people working on the project over a five-year period. Therefore, Square One is engaged in a myriad of project activities every day.
Square One has partnered with Hill International, BE3, HC Associates, CasaBella Architects, Engineered Exteriors, Tsen Engineering, Persohn Hahn, Smith and Associates, LLC, and Markind, LLC to deliver project control services on Phase II. Each team member provides specific contributions to help manage the project, including peer review of documents, maximizing Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) participation, and communicating project efforts to the public.
From the very beginning of the project, Square One has worked closely with TFC to facilitate an environment of transparency, trust, and collaboration for all project team members. For a project the size of Phase II, an open environment where all perspectives can be shared is essential to project success.
Each day begins with a morning briefing with the TFC project management team and prime contractor JE Dunn Construction. Throughout the day, the Square One team participates in site visits and inspections, contractor coordination discussions, design reviews, and various risk identification and mitigation meetings to address the typical challenges associated with construction on three large sites. An important effort each day is reaching out to all the entities involved and identifying the area they are most concerned about, then working to mitigate these concerns to keep the project within budget and on schedule.
The project spans about two and a half City blocks in the bustling heart of downtown Austin. In addition to working with project team members, Square One engages with the City of Austin, the general public, and other project stakeholders to ensure the safety of the traveling public and the buildings and grounds adjacent to the construction.
Square One Senior Project Manager Kevin Parks is in charge of the daily management of the Phase II project and understands the realities of building in the Capitol Complex. “The Phase II project is in the middle of a tourist destination, and we must be mindful of this. Every day, people pass the construction sites to get to their jobs or visit the Capitol grounds, museums, and historic buildings within the Capitol Complex. Many factors we monitor concern safety, wayfinding, and protecting the historic buildings and surrounding area.”
The pedestrian walkway on the east side of the project provides easy access for visitors traveling north and south in the Capitol Complex.
Once a week, the core project team of TFC, Square One, JE Dunn, and project architect HOK conduct a project walk and Owner Architect Contractor (OAC) meeting. During these meetings, the team members discuss the budget, the schedule, and project progress. Throughout this process, Square One is gathering information and documenting the project. Square One attends the Texas Facilities Commissioners Meeting each month to report on the project status and upcoming activities.
From start to completion, Square One is proactively managing the process to keep the project moving forward while maintaining a collaborative, project-focused culture.
Kevin Parks has built some very large projects but sees the Phase II project as one the most challenging and rewarding. “It is an amazing experience to work on a project of this size. We deal with the smallest to largest details on a daily basis. We have a talented army of people working to provide the best project experience to the Texas Facilities Commission and deliver these new, signature facilities to the State of Texas.”
Using Technology to Gather, Track, and Communicate
The number of entities involved in Phase II and the many activities they are engaged in require several different technologies to progress the project. TFC employs a technology tool as a common platform where all team members can communicate, share documents, and collaborate on the project.
Square One partnered with HOK and JE Dunn to showcase the Capital Complex Phase II project at the Urban Land Institute’s 2023 Marketplace. From left to right: Katherine Sasser (Square One), Ben Crawford (HOK), Kevin Parks (Square One), Bruce Lowe (JE Dunn), Phil Emanuel (JE Dunn).
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the standard for all new and legacy facilities in the TFC portfolio. BIM on Phase II is based on project architect HOK’s modeling. All of our partners are using the latest design and construction technology to analyze the model and document the project. JE Dunn is currently conducting 3D scanning of the excavation to model the project as-builts. Square One uses technology to track the majority of project information and build the monthly report. Technology allows the sharing of information across partners and stakeholders so everyone can work efficiently and make the best decisions.
Something Special – A Prime HUB
Kevin Fleming, founder of Square One, is a Native American Cherokee. Square One has worked with Native American tribes on a variety of complex projects and is honored to carry the legacy of Native Americans into the future by being present and capable of providing professional services.
As a Native American-owned company in the State of Texas, Square One is a certified Historically Underutilized Business (HUB). The firm is also the prime project controls consultant on the Phase II project. Therefore, Square One has the unique distinction of being a prime HUB. As a prime, the firm’s participation in the contract does not count toward the overall project goal. Square One provided opportunities to other certified HUBs to achieve the State-required goal for professional services. However, it is rare for HUBs to win prime contracts, so it is a cause to celebrate the HUB program.
“As a HUB company, it has been amazing to watch the passion and care that the TFC HUB Department puts into every aspect of the project. They challenge opportunities for involvement and enforce the State’s requirements. This has opened the door for us to work with many HUBs that we now see as partners,” said Fleming.
Smith and Associates, LLC, a member of the Square One team, provides HUB Procurement and Contract Administration services for the Phase II project. Regina Adams, founder and CEO, appreciates the partnership with Square One. “It’s an honor to be a part of the Square One team. They are a joy to work with and I truly believe they care about every team member working on a contract, whether you are an employee of the company or a subcontractor. Working with Square One as a HUB subcontractor, my company has received the same opportunity as they give all HUB vendors.”
In 2023, Square One also served as a sponsor for TFC’s annual HUB Expo. Square One’s growth exemplifies the State of Texas HUB Program’s ultimate goal of giving people opportunities.
2023 Texas Facilities Commission HUB Expo. Pictured from left to right: Yolanda Strey, TFC HUB Director, Katherine Sasser (Square One), and Kevin Parks (Square One).
In 2023, Square One also served as a sponsor for TFC’s annual HUB Expo. Square One’s growth exemplifies the State of Texas HUB Program’s ultimate goal of giving people opportunities.
A Great Partnership
Square One has long aspired to work for the Texas Facilities Commission. As the firm continues to grow and expand, Square One considers the opportunity to serve as a member of the Phase II project team an honor and a major achievement.
Fleming added, “TFC is truly a great partner. Phase II of the Capitol Complex Project will provide modern buildings that will serve the citizens of the State of Texas for years to come. We feel fortunate to help deliver this project and are inspired to maximize the value of every dollar spent.”
Capitol Complex Phase II groundbreaking ceremony, pictured from left to right, Kevin Parks (Square One) and with Texas Facilities Commission leadership: Director of Government Relations and External Affairs Rick Glancey, Deputy Executive Director John Raff, Commissioner Eddy Betancourt, Commissioner Brian Bailey, Chairman Steven D. Alvis (retired), Commissioner C. Price Wagner, Executive Director Mike Novak, and Commissioner William Allensworth (retired), and Chuck Lipscomb (JE Dunn).
