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Recent Articles from Dan Mehls
OP-ED: Before building ‘cool stuff,’ a firm must take care of its people
Great companies support their team members so that they have satisfying careers and personal lives. This ultimately leads to better productivity.
OP-ED: Build what community members want, and they will come
A well-designed community gathering space is more than the sum of its parts or the maximum seating capacity. It is inviting, comfortable, and easy for all patrons to navigate.
OP-ED: Physical and mental health are equally important for strong teams
There is now widespread recognition that workers鈥� minds are just as important as their bodies and technical skills when it comes to ensuring a safe jobsite.
OP-ED: Health care facility trends provide space for human-centered wellness
The need to alter the design and construction of health care facilities presents both a challenge and a great opportunity to those of us in those industries.
OP-ED: An essential component of any effort to build a workforce
Workplace diversity does not happen by accident. It results from a focus on diversity, inclusion and equity in hiring, training and culture.
OP-ED: Hard hats with heart: Take a walk and make a difference
Approximately 25 percent of construction workers suffer from cardiovascular disease. Even more troubling is that while many of us in the industry are aware of this issue, few are doing anything to address it.
OP-ED: A lesson from 2020: the need to shift the schoolhouse paradigm
In listening to educators and students, we know the future of educational facilities lies in more flexible school and classroom designs where students and educators can thrive in a variety of situations.
OP-ED: Amid a convergence of factors, the future of prefab is now
While it鈥檚 still considered secondary to more traditional methods, industry trends suggest prefab is one of the fastest-growing practices in construction today.
OP-ED: Constructing Hope by removing industry employment barriers
Our industry can create more opportunities for people of color, and for individuals in unfortunate circumstances who just need a chance to prove themselves.
OP-ED: With pandemic still in effect, it’s business as usual in our new normal
The nondiscriminatory COVID-19 is still out there, and it has changed how we all do business, perhaps for good.
OP-ED: Building for resilience in the face of a natural disaster
Is Oregon prepared for a sizable earthquake? We鈥檙e working on it. Maintaining a serious commitment to resilience and preparedness through our infrastructure will help get us there.
OP-ED: Beyond holiday spirit: Giving is best done all year long
Charitable giving is something that can and should happen year-round, and not be limited to support of nonprofits.
News
- $960,000 office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 10, 2026
- Two projects in historic districts in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 10, 2026
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
