Ohio University anchors the Athens County economy as the largest employer, driving development through direct employment, student housing demand, and technology commercialization. The Ohio University Innovation Center supported 267 jobs, over $7.4 million in wages, and $80.7 million in economic output in 2023 through its 29 offices, five conference rooms, ten wet laboratories, and two manufacturing laboratories. The university's proposed Ridges development could become a $220 million mixed-use project with over 700 housing units, the largest non-student housing development in Athens history.
The Athens County Economic Development Council is driving strategic initiatives with a $5 million EDA grant funding a 60,000-square-foot facility at Bill Theisen Industrial Park. A new industrial park in Albany is being developed specifically for advanced technology and manufacturing companies. Executive Director Mollie Fitzgerald emphasizes that biotechnology and advanced industries create multiplier effects, with every 50 direct jobs supporting another 30 indirectly through local services.
Whether you're developing research or technology facilities, constructing student or market-rate housing, or expanding commercial property to serve the university community, Athens projects require experienced oversight. An independent Owner's Representative ensures that institutional complexity and specialized requirements don't compromise your budget and timeline.
Every construction project involves three core parties: the Architect, focused on design and code compliance; the General Contractor, focused on means, methods, and their own profitability; and the Owner, who funds everything but often lacks the technical expertise to protect their investment. This creates what we call the Leadership Vacuum, where no one is truly accountable for the owner's budget and schedule.
DeVore Consulting fills this vacuum. We work exclusively for you, never holding trade contracts or self-performing work. Our role is to translate your business objectives into construction outcomes, providing a single point of accountability from pre-design through project closeout.
We bring disciplined methodology to Athens's university-influenced development environment.
Research and specialized facilities demand precise budget control. We verify that pay applications reflect work actually completed, analyze change orders to separate legitimate costs from contractor errors, and model the financial impact of decisions before they're made.
We never build; we only manage. This means our advice is never influenced by a desire to self-perform work or protect a margin. When we flag a problem, it's because it affects your outcome.
Projects in the $500K to $50M range are our specialty. These are often too complex for business owners to oversee part-time but may not attract attention from firms focused on major university capital campaigns.
We support the project types driving Athens County's innovation-focused economy:
Specialized construction requiring Biosafety Level compliance, precise environmental controls, and coordination with sensitive equipment installation.
Apartment and housing developments serving university demand, requiring careful site development and entitlement navigation.
Professional office construction and technology-focused facilities serving the university ecosystem.
Advanced manufacturing facilities capitalizing on university research partnerships and workforce development.
We serve communities throughout Southeast Ohio including Logan, Portsmouth, and Gallipolis in the Appalachian region.
The greatest value we provide comes from early engagement, before you've committed to a property or finalized designs. Our Fatal Flaw Analysis investigates infrastructure capacity, zoning constraints, and site conditions while there's still time to negotiate or walk away.
If your Athens project is already underway and facing challenges, we can help stabilize the situation through rigorous change order review and contractor accountability. But prevention is always more cost-effective than cure.
Schedule a consultation to ensure your Athens project starts on solid footing.
We provide comprehensive project oversight for business owners and developers who need expert guidance through the construction process. With 20+ years overseeing the design and construction of residential and commercial, we know where problems hide and how to prevent them.
These FAQs are a starting point, but your project has specific goals, risks, and financial stakes. My role is to be your trusted guide.I protect your time and money by simplifying the process, providing experienced oversight, and preventing costly mistakes before they happen.
The Athens County Economic Development Council secured a $5 million EDA grant for a 60,000-square-foot facility at Bill Theisen Industrial Park. New industrial park development in Albany targets advanced technology and manufacturing. We help clients understand available incentives, site options, and how to align projects with regional economic development priorities.
The Ohio University Innovation Center includes Biosafety Level 2 lab spaces requiring specialized construction. Research facilities demand precise environmental controls, specialized mechanical systems, and equipment coordination. We ensure contractors understand these requirements and that construction meets the technical specifications essential for laboratory certification and operation.
Ohio University is the largest employer in Athens County, driving demand for student housing, research facilities, and supporting commercial development. The proposed $220 million Ridges project would create over 700 housing units. University-related projects may involve institutional stakeholders, specialized requirements, and coordination with academic calendars. We help navigate this complexity.
Yes. An owner's rep with a strong financial background is invaluable here. With an MBA in Real Estate Finance, we help you prepare the realistic, bank-ready documents lenders need to see. We create defensible pro formas, validate construction budgets, and manage the loan draw process, which builds essential trust and credibility with your lender.
Depending on scope, fees typically range from 0.5% to 1% of the total construction cost, depending on the project's complexity, timeline, and the specific scope of services you need . Studies have shown this investment typically saves clients 3-5% on total construction costs through rigorous contractor management, change order review, and problem prevention, meaning the service more than pays for itself.
Of course. We'll provide you with all the free advice you can handle. But to get started formally, we'll have to make sure our services align with you needs. We'll get to know your project aspirations and put together a proposal. Until we have an agreement no payment is expected.
Yes. While some firms only focus on large institutional projects, we specialize in guiding small business owners and first-time developers. The need for an owner's rep depends more on your project's complexity than its size. A complex $2M restaurant renovation often has more risk than a simple $5M warehouse. We can help you assess if professional oversight makes financial sense for your specific project .
Yes. Our service doesn't end when the contractor hands over the keys. Our "Phase 4: Closeout" process includes comprehensive warranty management and post-occupancy support to ensure your building functions as intended. We ensure all final documentation and manuals are collected, which is the foundation for your long-term facility management.
Absolutely. While we add the most value by being involved from pre-construction through closeout , we can tailor our services to your specific needs. We are often brought in just for pre-construction planning, to help with contractor selection, or to get a troubled project that's already underway back on track.
This information goes to a real human being. Its a great way to learn more and start the conversation without any obligation. We will never provide your personal or contact information to a 3rd party.
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