Major engineering firm PBSJ is in talks with Atkins to be acquired by the London-based firm. PBSJ, which is employee-owned, reportedly sought out the sale to bring in more capital for expansion.
Atkins is the world's 11th largest engineering firm, employing 18,000 people. PBSJ has 3500 employees and 80 offices worldwide.
Toll Roads News quotes Atkins' CEO Keith Clarke in a statement: "This is an important acquisition for Atkins and forms part of our plan to grow our business through a multi-skill, multi-local strategy. PBSJ operates a business model we understand and complements our business superbly, enhancing our skills in environmental, transportation, building design and programme (NOTE: Brit spelling) management disciplines."
EDITORS NOTE: The original Planetizen summary said that the acquisition had been completed, but we have been informed that the PBSJ Corporation, parent company of PBS&J, PBS&J International, and Peter R. Brown Construction, Inc., has entered into an agreement to be purchased by WS Atkins. PBSJ shareholders must still agree that it is an appropriate move, and the meeting where that decision would take place has yet to be determined. Planetizen regrets the error.
FULL STORY: PBSJ bought by British Atkins for $280m (TAKEOVER)
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
Fair Housing Cannot Take a Back Seat to ‘Build, Baby, Build’
If we overlook fair housing principles in the plan to build US housing back better, we risk ending up right back where we started.
LA Metro Board Approves New 710 Freeway Plan
The newest plan for the 710 corridor claims it will not displace any residents.
Austin’s Proposed EV Charging Rules Regulate Station Locations, Size
City planners say the new rules would ensure an efficient distribution of charging infrastructure across the city and prevent an overconcentration in residential areas.
Making California State Parks More Climate-Resilient
A recently released report offers recommendations for keeping state parks healthy and robust, including acquiring additional land for conservation and recreation.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
