Coughlin Porter Lundeen was established in Seattle just over five years ago and has grown to a size of 60, adding five over the last year. Gross fees of $6 million are anticipated for 1999.

While the structural and civil engineering firm serves commercial, educational, health care, civic and municipal, and residential markets, it maintains a specialty in building renovation.

This year's projects include the completion of the Smith Tower and Union Station renovations as well as a $17 million addition for Highline Community Hospital. Several large-scale developments began construction this year, including LakeRidge Square, One Twelfth @ Twelfth, 401 Elliott West, Cedar Court at Redmond, and the Union Station redevelopment. Expanding in the recreational market, the firm recently completed construction of the Plateau Golf and Country Club Clubhouse in Issaquah and the Hiddenbrooke Golf Course in Vallejo, Calif. The firm is involved the design of several structures for a 110-acre game preserve in eastern Pennsylvania. Uwajimaya Plaza in the International District, new retailers in the former Nordstorm store, and REI stores around the country contributed to a resurgence of retail projects for the company.

"Our biggest challenge in this booming economy is that project participants are stretched to the limit," said president Jim Coughlin. This tends to slow predevelopment, schematic, and design development phases and requires fast-track construction document phases. Coughlin Porter Lundeen meets the challenge with enhanced production standards and tools, he said.

"The commercial office, renovation, education, and health care markets continue to be strong," he said. "The implications of the 1998 King County Stormwater Manual are affecting the way private developer and educational clients plan by requiring more of the site to be set aside for drainage control and wetlands mitigation.

"With the recent changes in structural building codes and a determination to renovate the downtown Seattle area, the retrofit and renovation is an expanding opportunity for the firm," said Coughlin. "Design focus continues to be transparent upgrades that allow the owners to use the facility after a seismic event, as well as innovative, cost-effective dampening and bracing solutions."