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This month's project team member profile is ...
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Michael R. Sieving
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Hamilton County Construction
Project Executive,
Riverfront Development
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The redevelopment of a city’s
infrastructure is an extremely complex and dynamic task. In 2000, Michael
Sieving was selected through a national search to administer Hamilton
County’s role in the redevelopment of Cincinnati’s central riverfront.
As the Hamilton County Construction Project Executive for Riverfront
Development, Michael Sieving serves as the chief operating officer for the
administration of the Great American Ball Park construction. Michael also
oversees Hamilton County’s parking facility projects and the city of
Cincinnati’s parking and infrastructure ventures
Sieving believes that an owner must control and pro-actively direct a
project. It is Michael’s responsibility to make sure that the project
organization, management processes and project controls are properly in
place and functioning effectively. He believes that these controls and other
administrative processes are necessary for an owner to maximize the
probability of success for a project. Sieving believes the organization of
the ballpark project is much like the organization of a business. It must be
assembled, directed and disassembled over a relatively short period of time.
For the ballpark to come to fruition, Michael believes there needs to be a
strong foundation that includes focused administration of policies and
procedures. There also needs to be clearly defined lines of authority and
seamless lines of communications. This process requires meticulous
accounting, internal auditing and personnel processes. Most importantly, the
owner must actively direct the development process and institute effective
project controls.
For Hamilton County, Michael Sieving is responsible for operating project
policy, including major decisions and dispute resolutions. Sieving is
responsible for the administration of all project contracts and has
signatory responsibility for all expenditures and changes. Michael also is
an administrative bridge between the Cincinnati Reds and Hamilton County for
the ballpark project. He serves in that same capacity, linking Hamilton
County with the city of Cincinnati for all county/city riverfront street and
infrastructure projects. He also serves as a liaison between the county and
the Freedom Center for the county’s Block 3 Garage project.
The major challenge with Sieving’s position involves dealing with the
interface between riverfront projects and the other interrelated contracts
and agreements. Other challenges include keeping the media informed on
public projects, working in a very politicized environment and carrying out
the work within the limits prescribed by state law. Despite the enormous
amount of pressure involved with such a challenging position, Sieving
relishes his role in the redevelopment of Cincinnati’s central riverfront.
A PERSONAL GLIMPSE AT MICHAEL SIEVING:
Michael Sieving is a registered architect who has specialized in
representing owners on major projects for the past 25 years. Some of his
projects include: St. Francis-St. George Hospital (Mercy Franciscan Western
Hills), Jewish Hospital and the St. Theresa Retirement Center.
With the Great American Ball Park project under the microscope, Michael
likes to spend his spare time away from the spotlight. He spends a great
deal of his free time at home, just trying to “slow the pace.” Sieving
currently lives with his wife in Miami Township. Together they have three
children and two grandchildren.
Michael Sieving is anxiously waiting to walk up to the ballpark on March 31
with his family. On Opening Day, Michael will lift his grandson up onto his
shoulders and walk through the gates as a Reds fan. But before he cheers on
the baseball team officially playing in the ballpark for the first time, he
will congratulate the project team that made the ballpark a reality. When
the Great American Ball Park is completed, it is estimated that more than
5,000 people will have participated in the project. Michael appreciates the
work implemented by each and every individual.
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