Letter of Interest - Coal Line Trail Phase I Proj No. 115-063 - VS Engineering Solutions

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CLIENT FOCUSED. • TRUST. • WORK HARD. TOGETHER. • KNOWLEDGE. MARK HERALD, PE Northern Region Director Project Manager mherald@vsengineering.com C: 260.348.1768 VS Engineering: 95% McCormick Engineering (DBE): 5% 10305-A Dawson’s Creek Blvd. • Fort Wayne, IN 46825 260.489.6635 www.vsengineering.com January 12, 2021 Mr. Kyle Silveus, Assistant City Engineer 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. 1316 County-City Building South Bend, IN 46601 Re: City of South Bend Coal Line Trail (Phase I) from Lincoln Way West to Riverside Dr. (Des. 1401810) in LaPorte District Dear Mr. Silveus: VS ENGINEERING (VS) is pleased to submit our Letter of Interest for construction inspection services for your Coal Line Trail (Phase I) project. Our VS Team understands that this project will not only provide pedestrian connectivity in the area, but will implement an aesthetic enhancement to the corridor. Our team clearly recognizes that this project is not simply a pedestrian improvement, but also creates an asset for future economic development and aids in beautification efforts. When completed, it will be a tremendous asset for years to come, and will continue to shine a spotlight on the City as being a great place to live, work and play. Our team will be led by Mark Herald, PE, who has over 17 years of experience in transportation engineering on both locally and federally funded projects, including for the City of South Bend, La Porte County, the City of Warsaw, the City of Fort Wayne, and other communities in Northern Indiana. Mark is a proven leader, and will be a strong partner for you from start to finish. Mark and the rest of our VS Engineering construction inspection team are interested in exploring opportunities to provide savings to the City’s taxpayers much needed funds, particularly in a time when local funds will likely diminish due to the current health pandemic. As with most infrastructure projects, local residents typically have concerns about how projects will affect their daily lives. At VS, we understand the City of South Bend’s strong interest in keeping the public informed of ongoing construction projects as you detail many of your projects on the City’s website in your ongoing efforts towards increased transparency. We know that our work reflects on you and understand your need for a superior and worry-free project. We pledge to be excellent representatives for the City in communicating with the hundreds of affected citizens who live in this highly residential and commercial area. Our assigned Project Supervisor, Bill Kreger, is based out of our La Porte office, along with Project Inspector Fidel Chavez. Bill has been assigned full-time/on-site and brings with him over 10 years of experience in the areas of civil engineering, construction management and QC inspection. He has supervised roadway projects that match the same critical construction elements as the Coal Line Trail project, including the recent highly-lauded Maplecrest Road project, during which this VS team attended neighborhood public meetings to discuss the project’s impact on the residents’ daily lives. We listened to their concerns, and developed a working relationship with those individuals we would normally see on the job site. Having a Project Supervisor who is willing to listen and inform the residents is imperative to comforting the minds of the public. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of our locally-based VS Engineering team. We bring to you decades of experience, a strong understanding of the importance and impact of the finished project, and a passion for continuing to make the City of South Bend shine. We are capable. We understand. We are ready! Respectfully Submitted, SANJAY PATEL, PE President/CEO Principal-in-Charge sbpatel@vsengineering.com C: 317.626.0070