“YBA worked with the City as an integral partner in the engagement of neighbors and the community to create a vision for a vibrant development. Through this process of engagement, a plan that addressed the neighborhood’s needs was developed, including access to fresh food, space for community serving non-profits, gathering spaces, and new mixed-income and affordable housing. Through ongoing consultation and discussion with City staff and the Design Commission, the final design received broad support and was approved unanimously. YBA’s architectural and site design created a new, iconic center for a diverse community, catalyzing new investment and development in the surrounding community.”
David Berniker - Downtown RockwoodDirector of Planning & Urban Development, City of Gresham
“Working with YBA was rewarding and inspirational. It was clear that YBA had a deep understanding of our preferred outcomes and expectations for envisioning a future for our site. From the start, the design process was collaborative in nature and our feedback was respected and integrated. The results provided inspiration in moving forward with our efforts at community outreach and development solicitation. We would happily recommend YBA to other agencies or private development interests looking for help in developing challenging and impactful sites while reflecting a community’s expectations and needs.”
Chris Damgen - Confluence TroutdaleCommunity Development Director, City of Troutdale
“From initial RFP submittal through community engagement, visioning and master planning, all the way to issuance of building permits, the City of Gresham has had a great experience working with YBA. The team has been professional, proactive and responsive at every step of the pre-development and entitlement process. They delivered design that set a new standard for architecture of its kind in our community, and did so within the timeframe and according to the parameters their development teams had committed to in the Development Agreements. They connected well with staff at all levels and departments and also with the community at large.”
Eric Schmidt SE CBO - Alta Civic StationAssistant City Manager, City of Gresham
“We’ve found YBA to be excellent communicators and people who are always focused on keeping project success as their number one priority. They are easy to work with and maintain an exceptional attention to detail. Their open, cooperative style is critical to making the overall design process a success.”
Steve Deacon - Merx Mixed-Use ApartmentsFounder and Principal, Deacon Development
“YBA expertly lead the master planning and architectural design process. They ran a great community engagement process, managed complex environmental issues and were excellent collaborators with the Port of Camas-Washougal and key stakeholders. Their ability to accessibly communicate their inspiring and dynamic vision has led to broad public support. With YBA as the lead architect, we are now confidently moving ahead with a landmark public-private partnership development that will re-shape the future of our community for generations.”
David Ripp - Hyas PointExecutive Director, the Port of Camas-Washougal
“YBA went above and beyond for our project—the YBA team far exceeded my expectations, engaging with broad and diverse community stakeholders, gracefully managing a complex design process with many competing interests to develop a concept design that directly addressed the needs of the community. Their designs were fresh, site-specific, contextually appropriate, and financially feasible. I appreciated their willingness to go the extra mile and would not hesitate to use them again for future projects. I recommend them to those looking for a firm that is easy to work with, knows how to listen to and constructively engage with communities and produces striking, world class design”
