The Seattle bedroom community of Bothell, Wash., lies in one of the metro areas first hit by the COVID-19 crisis. There, a developer worked with the city to complete a virtual inspection, allowing the Starbucks-anchored development to open while the city was in the midst of the pandemic. The coffeeshop remains open via drive thru.
The new Starbucks drive-thru in Bothell, at 22904 Bothell Everett Highway, was all prepped to open on March 27. But before the property owner, Avalon Development, could hand over the keys to the new 3,990-sf building to co-tenants Starbucks and Washington Federal bank, Avalon had to complete a final building safety inspection with a city government that was in the midst of temporarily shutting down all non-emergency services, including all in-person inspections.
“We were scrambling to get the Starbucks drive-thru open,” said Avalon Development Principal Scott Whittington. “We needed to get our final inspection, but the city and the state were in the midst of shutting down. Luckily, we have a great relationship with the city, and working with DB General Contractors and the local Starbucks real estate management team, we came up with a solution."
The solution: an on-site inspection via FaceTime, with the inspector on live video feed to confirm that the construction met all safety standards. As a result of the virtual inspection, Avalon Development was issued the certificate of occupancy, allowing the businesses to open.
Thanks to the work-around, the opening of this all-new Starbucks drive-thru was only delayed by two days. “This is a testament of continued perseverance and dedication to craft that is awe-inspiring during this time of continued bad news,” said Garrett Johnson, Vice President at Avalon Development.
Related Stories
Coronavirus | Mar 25, 2020
Coronavirus pandemic's impact on U.S. construction, notably the multifamily sector - 04-30-20 update
Coronavirus pandemic's impact on U.S. construction, notably the multifamily sector - 04-30-20 update
Coronavirus | Mar 25, 2020
Plaza Construction and Central Consulting & Contracting strategic alliance expands to Florida in response to coronavirus pandemic
New York City-based partnership to aid Florida healthcare systems amid COVID-19 outbreak and will continue medical construction in the region following resolution.
| Mar 25, 2020
Designing public health laboratories to safeguard researchers during pandemics
As laboratory designers, we want to shed light on a subset of our population critical to protecting us from, and preventing the spread of, severe outbreaks: public health researchers.
Market Data | Mar 23, 2020
Coronavirus will reshape UAE construction
The impact of the virus has been felt in the UAE, where precautionary measures have been implemented to combat the spread of the virus through social distancing.
Coronavirus | Mar 21, 2020
Perkins and Will’s CEO sees a light at the end of COVID-19 tunnel
Phil Harrison says the virus outbreak could make more clients see the connection between design and wellbeing.
Coronavirus | Mar 21, 2020
Construction business and union leaders call on government officials to include construction as an 'essential service' during shutdowns
The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, and the President of North America’s Building Trades Unions, Sean McGarvey, issued the following joint statement urging Government Officials to Exempt Construction Work from Regional, State and Local Work Shutdowns.
Coronavirus | Mar 21, 2020
Associated General Contractors launches eight-part webinar series around COVID-19
The programming, which begins Monday, will offer advice on how businesses might need to adjust during the virus.
Coronavirus | Mar 20, 2020
BD+C research: The AEC industry braces for tough sledding in the coming months amid COVID-19 outbreak
A new BD+C poll of U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction firms finds that companies are anticipating project postponements and delays.
Coronavirus | Mar 20, 2020
Pandemic has halted or delayed projects for 28% of contractors
Coronavirus-caused slowdown contrasts with January figures showing a majority of metro areas added construction jobs; Officials note New infrastructure funding and paid family leave fixes are needed.
Coronavirus | Mar 20, 2020
AIA implores Congress to provide relief to business owners and employees
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2020 President Jane Frederick, FAIA, and EVP/Chief Executive Officer Robert Ivy, FAIA, are urging Congress to address the critical needs of business owners and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
