Founded by award-winning designer Tracy Borchardt, BlueOx PM is changing the way projects are designed and built.

RETAIL & RESTAURANT

After nearly 1,500 projects you learn a few things. We know retail. We love retail. We are retail. Retail projects are a unique project type. Most are prototypical driven and understanding how the design goes together and being able to meet unmovable opening dates is paramount. At BlueOx we not only understand all this - we excel at it. We have a unique process of tracking prototypical updates and that allows you - our client - to rest easy.

Whether you need to create the prototype or its ready to go, whether you start from as-builts or a survey, and whether your set is 6 pages or 16, BlueOx creates a program specifically for you. We have worked in every market in the US, and many in Canada, and that experience allows for faster plan reviews which in turn allows you to start and open on time.

WORKSPACE

Workspace design is unlike any other. It must be highly functional as it is the backbone of your business. However, you host client meetings and prospective client meetings there as well - so aesthetics matter. After understanding your business, how you operate, and what your goals are we start. How many gathering spaces do you need? Are they enclosed or open? What functions need to be by one another? How many workstations are needed at a minimum?

You can see that the first step is really a Q+A session. After gathering all that data and surveying the space we begin to draw. Space planning is the most important aspect of the project and we dedicate the time to get it just right - which is good because we love space planning! The placement of functions and the pathways between them drive your efficiency and ultimately how successful the space will be for you. Then and only then do we start on the “pretty stuff.” Here - always with your budget in mind - is where we enhance your brand and create an identity that will amaze.

blueox portfolio OF SERVICES

The services listed below are available for all project types.

Some functions are performed by consultants under the BlueOx umbrella.

LANDSCAPE

This is where it all began. Our founder was just 21 when he launched his first business and started crafting hand drawings from his parent’s basement. And today, after owning landscape design/build firms in three different states and producing designs for national brands such as Buffalo Wild Wings and O’Reilly Auto Parts across the US, BlueOx is launched. This segment of our portfolio is divided into two areas - commercial for national brands and patio-dominated restaurants and luxury residential for the Twin Cities market.

It is one thing to read about plants and create your designs - as many landscape architects do. It is entirely different to have personally installed thousands of plants, installed thousands of square feet of hardscapes and maintained all of it. That hands-on experience is essential to thoughtful, long-term landscapes. Success is rooted deep at BlueOx.

ASSESSMENT

For a civil law in place for nearly 30 years the assumption that most buildings and public places are compliant wouldn’t be unreasonable. Unfortunately this is far from true. Spaces untouched since the ‘80s still exist, others have been “grandfathered” in since then, and others have simply been either designed or built incorrectly. The truth is that to find an accessibility issue either inside or outside a public space is still extremely easy to come upon.

While high-profile companies are most often targeted, no entity is safe from a lawsuit regarding accessibility issues in their facilities. The Assessment Phase has three stages to it - Initial Survey, Deficiency Report and Plans for Correction.

Once the Initial Survey is conducted - using the correct code for the location - we prepare a comprehensive Deficiency Report illustrating where the issues occur, how much they are off and with backup such as photo documentation. From some the process may end here. For others we will prepare the necessary details and plans to correct the issues that can then be addressed as funding is available.

With over 375 such surveys and assessments completed, BlueOx PM is your resource for accessibility compliance throughout the US.

REMEDIATION

After plans for correction are designed and drafted BlueOx will coordinate the approval of permits to enable you to complete the work. Once the work is complete a recheck is highly recommended and in Texas is required. We have yet to conduct a post-construction survey where a deficiency wasn’t found. This is a critical step. After taking all the previous steps to get into compliance follow through to ensure you actually are.

EXPERT WITNESS

Every day businesses just like yours are being sued due to accessibility issues. While many cases may be resolved through mediation and an agreement to correct the presumed deficiencies, others will end up in court. Having someone who can assist your legal team that has a strong understanding of this complex law and how it is applied to certain circumstances is critical to your case. Tracy Borchardt’s experience as an expert witness can be an effective tool to determine the most cost-effective resolution to the concerning issues.

EDUCATED

Graduating with honors in both Architectural Technology and Landscape Horticulture set the foundation for Tracy’s extensive and stunning career. In addition, we stay up-to-date by belonging to top industry associations and participating in trade networking events and educational seminars.

EXPERIENCED

With 16 years of experience in architecture having overseen nearly 1,500 projects and almost 400 ADA surveys across North America, and 30 years working in horticulture crafting hundreds of landscape designs - our founder has the knowledge to tackle any project successfully.

HONORED

Showcased in such magazines as VMSD in the retail architecture world and Mpls.St.Paul in the landscape world illustrates that Tracy’s design work is well received from his peers. In addition, he is a recipient of a MERIT AWARD for Excellence in Landscaping by the MNLA (Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association).

BENTLEY,

DRAFTING & CHIEF DAIRY TASTER

When she wants to work she is all in, but how many days of the week that is one never knows. Regardless she is a great conversationalist. Her passions are outdoor time and premier cheeses, milk and ice cream. In her off time she likes napping.

TRACY BORCHARDT,

FOUNDER & CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER

Our fearless leader honestly really loves to work. I guess that saying “do something you love and you’ll never work a day” is true. He loves adding new touches to their home, all things sports, and traveling far and wide to explore the world and the world of wine with his ubertalented wife.

CHEVY,

DIRECTOR OF LOOKING AT THINGS DIFFERENTLY

No one is quite like Chevy. He personifies the expression “marches to the beat of his own drummer.” He works more part-time than his sister and likes to spend hours in front of the fireplace, playing basketball and licking salty chips.

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