EDR (Environmental Design & Research)

Aidan McKibbin, EDR Planner, emphasizes the power of collaboration with local stakeholders. "Collaboration with local stakeholders is immensely rewarding because it fosters a sense of shared ownership and ensures that plans reflect the true needs and aspirations of the community. Community planning often deals with balancing development goals with social, environmental, and economic concerns. By engaging local stakeholders—residents, businesses, community organizations, and government agencies—planners can gather diverse perspectives and local knowledge, leading to more contextually appropriate and sustainable designs. One of the most fulfilling aspects of this collaboration is the ability to see the direct impact of stakeholder input on the final plans. When local voices are included, planners can anticipate and address community concerns, thereby reducing opposition and increasing the likelihood of successful project implementation. This inclusive process enhances trust between planners and the community, making long-term initiatives more resilient and adaptive. Moreover, collaboration often uncovers innovative solutions that planners might not have considered. For instance, local stakeholders can provide insight into cultural, historical, or social nuances that shape how spaces are used, helping planners create more vibrant and inclusive environments. The satisfaction of creating spaces that not only meet technical and design standards but also improve the quality of life for residents is a major reward of this collaborative process. Finally, the collaborative process helps build civic engagement and empowers communities. It transforms community planning from a top-down approach to a participatory one, where stakeholders’ voices are heard and their contributions are valued. The resulting projects are not just spaces but vibrant, functional parts of the community that reflect collective needs and identities." #ABetterEnvironment #NationalPlanningMonth #CommunityPlanning

We’re excited to welcome some amazing new faces to the EDR team! Adam Maruna, Environmental Monitor Ethan Cerqua, GIS Technician Jonathan Townsend, Bat Biologist Joseph Lyons, Executive Manager, Engineering Margaret Muldoon, Environmental Analyst Melissa McCarthy, Environmental Analyst Sydnie Lyons, CAD Designer We're looking for new members for our Cultural Resources, Engineering, Environmental, and Visualization teams. Apply today and become part of the EDR crew! https://lnkd.in/eB9Ss54 #ABetterEnvironment #NowHiring

EDR Ohio had a fantastic time at the National Grid Renewables Solar Harvest Festival, where the Ross County Solar and Fayette Solar Projects were showcased. We're proud to provide environmental monitoring and compliance to these projects, which together will utilize 419,300 solar panels across 1,750 acres, producing clean energy for the equivalent of 44,500 households! #ABetterEnvironment #SolarHarvestFest #RossCountySolar #FayetteSolar

Happy #PlanningMonth! We're celebrating the incredible work of our planning team, who help create safer and more vibrant communities. Mackenzie Gregg is a passionate advocate for Safe Streets and Spaces. "As a planner, collaboration is key. We collaborate with community members, government agencies, private stakeholders, and other planners as well. This rings true in the realm of projects related to traffic, streets, and transportation. These sectors are generally controlled by public entities, so planners act as liaisons between communities and the agencies that can make needed changes. Planners attend community events and public meetings and send out surveys, among other tactics, to hear feedback from as many voices as possible and understand their individualized concerns, ideas, and needs. EDR is involved in multiple projects and initiatives of this nature at the moment, including the Herkimer-Oneida Counties Safe Streets for All, NYSDOT I-81 Project, and City of Syracuse Vision Zero initiative." #ABetterEnvironment #NationalPlanningMonth #CommunityPlanning

Meet EDR at the WestPACS Collegiate Career Fair on October 9! We’re hiring across all service areas, including Environmental Analysts, Field Archaeologists, Engineers, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about exciting career paths with us! Can't make it? Reach out to Sarah Hecklau for more information on how you can become part of our team! #ABetterEnvironment

As part of Community Planning Month, we will highlight some of our favorite community planning projects. Today, we are excited to highlight PLAN ONondaga: Onondaga County’s Comprehensive Plan. Through PLAN ON, EDR worked collaboratively with the Onondaga County Department of Planning to develop a process and document to guide Onondaga County toward meeting this moment of community resurgence. The Plan provides a foundation of shared values and aspirations for the County, its municipalities, and constituents to focus future investment, development, and environmental conservation around a shared vision. The vision is focused on the continued strengthening of the County’s economic competitiveness and ability to attract and retain jobs and a skilled workforce; protection and enhancement of the County’s quality of life by recognizing the importance of its geography, natural features, and historical development patterns; and the ongoing need to involve the constituents and residents of the County in a meaningful dialogue about where the community is heading. FIVE THEMES Through community dialogue, the planning process identified five specific themes that are explored through the plan: Strong Centers, Housing and Neighborhoods, Community Mobility, Greenways and Blueways, and Agricultural. PLAN ON provides a graphical overview of the history of planning in the County to demonstrate how the five themes have been represented in previous recommendations and reports. FRAMEWORK FOR COMPETITIVENESS PLAN ON also provides a framework for understanding how and where the County can focus its resources in order to support and foster competitiveness in the global economic system. Understanding how Onondaga County compares with other counties, and what it can do to become more competitive starts with defining the characteristics of successful counties including: Investments in People, Economic Collaboration, and Strong Centers. FUTURE LAND USE VISION PLAN ON presents a picture of the future in Onondaga County expressed through the Future Land Use Vision. The Future Land Use Vision illustrates how the themes of Strong Centers, Housing and Neighborhoods, Community Mobility, Greenways and Blueways, and Agriculture are envisioned to fit into the future development of the County. #ABetterEnvironment #PlanningMonth

Please join us in congratulating David Prizzi, Senior Landscape Architect, on successfully obtaining his WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) Associate Certification from the Waterfront Alliance! Read more: https://lnkd.in/eHXzZdWS #ABetterEnvironment

EDR’s Community Planning team is heading to the 2024 American Planning Association - New York Upstate Chapter Conference in Ithaca from October 9-11! We’re excited to connect with fellow planners and share ideas on improving our communities. Come join us and be part of the conversation that shapes the future of upstate New York. See you there! #PlanningMonth #ABetterEnvironment

October is National Planning Month, and what better way to celebrate the EDR planning team than with exciting news from the Village of Clinton, NY's Clinton Kirkland Improvement Corporation (CKIC) who recently hosted an awards ceremony to celebrate the incredible projects funded through the NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). EDR was proud to lead the community planning processes for DRI projects intended to enhance Clinton and Kirkland’s downtown through the design and creation of vibrant public spaces and fostering the growth of local businesses and housing to support long-term community growth! #ABetterEnvironment #NationalPlanningMonth #CommunityRevitalization #DRI

Join EDR for Ohio Archaeology Day on October 5th! Discover Ohio’s rich history and get hands-on with archaeology at this free event, hosted by Ohio History Connection. It will feature expert presentations, a mock dig, artifact identification, and more—fun for the whole family! Advance reservations are encouraged. For more information: https://lnkd.in/exE9YaX9 We hope to see you there! #ABetterEnvironment