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Highline Design_Letter of Interest - Kalispell Signage 3.20.24STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS City Of Kalispell Gateway Sign Final Design, Fabrication, & Installation March 18, 2024 LETTER OF INTEREST Date: 03/20/24 City Clerk City of Kalispell 201 First Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59901 Dear City of Kalispell, In a city with a as much potential as Kalispell, a gateway sign becomes more than a mere marker; it becomes a statement of identity. We, at Highline Design, alongside our colleagues at Workaday Architecture and Eclipse Engineering, stand ready to blend narrative with steel and stone. In a town where every landmark tells a story, the new gateway sign is an opportunity to offer a warm welcome to residents and visitors alike. We are excited to propose a project that’s more than just a highway construction project—it’s a reflection of Kalispell’s spirit. As local business owners and active members of this community, we I understand the essence of Kalispell—and what makes our city unique. We have played a significant part in shaping the very paths that our sign will oversee, including our role in naming and branding the Parkline Trail. With our community involvement from the KDA, KBID, Planning Board, Trail Crew, and work with countless local businesses and originations, it is hard to overstate our level or investment and expertise on this exact topic. With Workaday Architecture adding a lifelong experience of Kalispell to our design expertise, and Eclipse Engineering ensuring structural integrity, we’re not just proposing a sign—we’re crafting a welcoming gesture that stands at the gateway to our shared experiences and memories. We will selected materials and designed elements with the durability to withstand our Montana weather and the visibility to stand out as a true gateway. Our approach always balances aesthetic appeal with practical functionality, ensuring the final product is both striking and sustainable. We have enclosed our proposal, outlining how we plan to deliver a gateway sign that honors Kalispell’s heritage and looks forward to its future. We’re here to answer any questions and discuss further how we can bring this project to life. Sincerely, George Giavasis HIGHLINE DESIGN LLC. Highlinedesign.co 136 2nd St. W. Kalispell, MT 59901 george@highlinemt.com Zack George WORKADAY ARCHITECTURE workadaydesign.com 127 S Main St, Kalispell, MT 59901 info@workadaydesign.com Highline Design Company LLC. Kalispell, MT | 406.838.6498 | hello@highlinemt.com 1 3.3.1 GENERAL INFORMATION Highline: At Highline Design, we believe that great design intimately ties with the community it serves. Rooted in the heart of downtown Kalispell, we are a company where creativity meets local understanding and expertise. Our portfolio showcases a spectrum of projects from branding cityscapes to a myriad of local businesses, all craft- ed with a meticulous appreciation for their unique culture and heritage. Led by George and Elma Giavasis, our approach is hands-on and community-driven. Our active roles with the city in various board capacities reflect our deep investment in the city’s future. Our past work, especially the branding of the Parkline Trail, and Down Kalispell, exemplifies our commitment to designs that resonate with and elevate the community spirit. Workaday Architecture: Workaday Architecture, and Zack George, a native of Kalispell, has come to represent the next wave of archi- tectural design in the valley. With a tailored approach that respects the regions history while pushing towards innovation. The firm’s expertise spans across various sectors, consistently delivering designs that are not only functional but also enhance the local fabric. Workaday’s portfolio showcases a versatility in tackling complex projects with a focus on sustainability and contextual design, making them an indispensable partner in envision- ing a gateway sign that truly speaks to Kalispell’s future without forgetting its past. Eclipse Engineering: Partnering with Eclipse Engineering ensures that the structural integrity of the gateway sign matches its visual appeal. With a reputation for excellence in engineering solutions, Eclipse has a robust portfolio that demon- strates their technical prowess across diverse projects. Their local presence in Montana and familiarity with the specific environmental and regulatory demands means that the structural components of the gateway sign will be designed and vetted for utmost safety and longevity. Eclipse’s collaborative approach and commitment to innovation will be crucial in fabricating a sign that is not just an emblem but a lasting landmark for Kalispell. City of Kalispell Highline Partners: George Giavasis Elma Giavasis Workaday Partners: Zack George Jason Stamp Joe Broders Lara White Eclipse Engineering Principal: Travis Berro FabricationElectricalInstallationPaintMural work Highline Design Company LLC. Kalispell, MT | 406.838.6498 | hello@highlinemt.com 2 3.3.2 RELEVANT COMPANY EXPERIENCE Highline Design, in alliance with Workaday Architecture and Eclipse Engineering, collectively bring forth an unparalleled mix of local insight, design excellence, and structural expertise that stands testament to our solid reputation within Kalispell. Our deep roots and active involvement in the community’s fabric underpin a proven track record of delivering high-quality, sustainable projects tailored to the unique narrative and needs of the city. This collaboration ensures a seamless fusion of visionary aesthetics and robust functionality, promising a gateway sign that will embody the essence and enduring spirit of Kalispell with unmatched service capabilities. Between our agencies we can present a large variety of relevant past work. Here are images of just a few: HI G H L I N E WO R K A D A Y EC L I P S E E N G I N E E R I N G Highline Design Company LLC. Kalispell, MT | 406.838.6498 | hello@highlinemt.com 3 PROJECT CONCEPTS These are not final designs but represent conceptual explorations to envision how the existing Parkline and Downtown Kalispell brands could be integrated into this project (if that was the chosen visual direction). The above design concepts belong to Highline Design Company. Highline Design Company LLC. Kalispell, MT | 406.838.6498 | hello@highlinemt.com 4 3.3.3 COMPANY QUALIFICATIONS 3.3.3a I hope by now I have well established that our partnership has a long and deeply rooted history of solving design and building problems in the Flathead and doing it in effective, innovative ways. While you will have access to the dozen or so employees and staff members of the involved agencies, you will be principally working with George Giavasis, Elma Giavasis, and Zack George. See Appendix for further details. 3.3.4 CONTRACT UNDERSTANDING AND APPROACH Based on the RFP and my meeting with city staff at the pre-submittal conference, I have a full grasp of the project. Our firms would plan, de- sign, fabricate, install, and otherwise establish the Welcome to Kalispell gateway sign. We only have minimal concerns that will easily be addressed during design and planning. 1) working with MDT on needed permits, access, and regulations for work around and over Highway 2. 2) There are a number of decorative and design possibilities for this entry. Our agencies tend to think big, and will likely bring options to the table that have not been considered by the city. For example, painting the concrete under the bridge could be a great and simple way to give this project more life. We will propose various options now, but know through our process that we can work collaboratively to achieve the best possible outcome. 3.3.5 APPROACH TO CONTRACT MANAGEMENT Our contract management will be very straightforward. 1) Our initial meeting will establish the goals and address any outlying variables. From then on, the city will interact with Highline and Workaday as needed. Each step of our process builds upon the last. Planning, design, structural engineering, permitting, construction/fabrication, electrical, installation. We maintain regular meetings as needed with review and revisions cycles at each phase. 3.3.6 PROPOSAL FOR PROJECT 3.3.6.a Provide a work schedule Our agencies would begin work immediately upon award. Planning, engineering, and design could happen as soon as this spring with the aim of completion by early June 1st. Painting, fabrication, and installation could be scheduled to take place any time thereafter. 3.3.6.b Schedule of proposed work methods 4/5/24 Meet with Highline and Workaday - Stakeholders meeting 4/5/24 Contact with MDT on relevant regulations, permitting, and installation/work timelines 4/25/24 Provide Kalispell with first rounds of design options and elevations 5/15/24 Apply feedback and revisions to design concepts 5/20/24 Upon approval, schedule structural engineering assessment of materials 5/30/24 Address any issues with structural on designs and schedule fabrication and installation 6/10/24 Dependent on availability of materials, schedule painting, electrical, and installation. 3.3.6.b Provide a full schedule of costs for each component of the work scope. Design & Arch: $30,000 Structural Engineering: $12,000 Sign Fabrication: $35,000 Sign Install: $20,000 Painting and or mural on and around concrete: $25,000 – $60,000 (the cost range depends on the complexity and detail) Electrical: $15,000 3.3.6 PROPOSAL FOR PROJECT We affirm that our agencies are willing and able to proceed promptly, and to meet and abide by the City’s needs and requirements with few or no objections or changes. Highline Design Company LLC. Kalispell, MT | 406.838.6498 | hello@highlinemt.com 5 Elma Giavasis: Owner, founder, creative director, and design lead at Highline Design Co. Elma has worked over 15 years as a graphic designer and art director for a multitude of larger establishments and smaller boutique-style design studios. Her experience ranges from interactive/web design and environmental graphic design, to identity and branding. Nonprofit involvement: VP of the Kalispell Downtown Association, Board member of Flathead Electric Coops Roundup for Safety. Organizer or board member with, Kalico Art Center, Foy’s to Blacktail Trails, Kalispell Boulder Project, and Kalispell Pechakucha George Giavasis: Owner, founder, art director, and development lead at Highline Design Co. George has a Bachelors of Fine Art, and a Masters in Forestry focusing on interpretive communication. He co-founded Highline in Kalispell where he has designed and developed hundreds of projects over the last 13 years. Nonprofit involvement: Board member Kalispell City Planning & Zoning, Kalispell Business Improvement District, Kalispell Parking Commis- sion, Foy’s to Blacktail Trails. Founder of the Art & Culture Council of Kalispell. Founding committee member of Kalico Art Center, Kalispell Boulder Project,and Kalispell Pechakucha Meredith Miele: Meredith is a senior designer at Highline. Originally from the Flathead Valley, she is an MSU graduate with years of experience working with Highline on branding, web, events, and all manner of collateral design and production. Meredith is an exceptionally talented designer and shares Highline’s passion for nonprofit work that benefits Montana and its people. Zach George is a partner and founding member of Workaday Design. He attended Montana State University’s Architecture program for his Undergraduate and Master’s degrees, where he met the other founding members of Workaday Design. Growing up in Montana, Zach made his way back to the Flathead Valley after working for architecture firms in both Seattle and Portland. Zach runs Workaday’s Montana office and is committed to bringing good design to his local community. Blair Sorlie is a licensed architect and member of the AIA. She attended Montana State University’s Architecture program for her Undergraduate and Master’s degrees. Blair is a Kalispell native and made her way back to the Flathead after working for an architecture firm in Seattle. Blair brings commercial experience to the Workaday team and has helped them start to take on more commercial projects. Highline Design Company LLC. Kalispell, MT | 406.838.6498 | hello@highlinemt.com APPENDIX A.