Bohler helped lead a team of George Mason University Masters students to first place at the NAIOP DC/MD 2018 Capital Challenge.
The Capital Challenge is an annual case study and scholarship competition for Masters students in Real Estate Development programs from five Washington, DC Metro Area colleges and universities. With the support of industry mentors, teams created a strategy for maximizing the potential of a real development in the area. This year’s case study examined the redevelopment of an existing five-acre bus garage for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
Bohler served as the George Mason team’s engineer mentor, alongside their assigned developer (Penzance), architect (KGD Architecture), contractor (Coakley & Williams Construction), broker (Savills Studley), and financier (PNC Real Estate). Mentors helped address numerous development challenges including site topography, maintaining the garage’s partial façade, relocating the bus maintenance area and even building community support for their proposed development.
Representing Bohler in this year’s challenge, Assistant Project Manager Sheila Nale guided the student team in navigating local agency processes, timeframes and meeting coordination. She also provided feedback on initial site and design feasibility including cost estimates, utility plans and grading plans.
Bohler has proudly supported the NAIOP DC/MD Capital Challenge for more than five years. The rewarding experience offers future industry leaders insight into the development process, including the moving pieces and players involved in turning an ordinary site into a booming development.