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Industrial Case Study
BYD Auto – Downtown Los Angeles
Public/Private & Project Management Case Study
Challenge
BYD, a Chinese Battery, Auto, Bus and Lighting Manufacturer, embarked on an ambitious plan to distribute their products in the US market. BYD was enticed to come to Los Angeles by an array of public funds and incentives. Their goals included the construction of their US corporate headquarters including a R&D site, public showroom, and dealer management offices in a 50,000 SF building in Los Angeles. BYD chose a location with excellent potential, however the building was 100 years old. All the plumbing and electrical had been stripped, it had been unoccupied for 14 years, had several open holes the roof, was partially flooded, and was extremely dilapidated.
Solution
In support of BYD’s pursuit of the lowest cost building options, Jack Kozakar evaluated buildings, construction challenges, construction costs, labor analysis, tax incentives, governmental incentives, landlord cost participation and projected timelines. Jack provided full range Project Management including reporting to remote management, building selection, due diligence, project planning, private contract negotiations, public contract negotiations, RFP process management, team selection, entitlement management, public funding management, value engineering and construction management. Jack implemented a cost orientedproject delivery approach, selecting a regional architect with strong experience in China, utilizing contractor support during the design phase to define costs, completing multiple public bidding to get the project price down, and post bid negotiations to further reduce costs.
Results
Jack Kozakar delivered the project significantly under budget, and ahead of schedule allowing BYD’s grand opening to go off without a hitch. Jack guided BYD in overcoming every challenge related to US regulations, andoversaw getting their lighting products UL rated and installed in the building. Jack increased the overall square footage of the building by 12,000 SF by adding a mezzanine and matching rooftop equipment platform. Jack was key in adding to the LA skyline a massive 30 foot tall BYD sign facing the busy I-10 Freeway, the only sign of its kind in Los Angeles. Among other notable accomplishments construction of the customer showroom in a new age art deco style that rivals any 1920s theater. Jack’s greatest success was to merge BYD’s Chinese business culture into a 100-year oldbuilding with amazing success.