Archives: Industries

Reliability starts here.

ENERGY & WATER

Consensus has engaged communities in dozens of cities and counties across Southern California on water infrastructure and energy issues. We have worked with leading wind developers on siting, permitting, and addressing avid issues for large-scale wind energy projects, and served as community liaisons for water quality testing and water infrastructure projects. In addition, we have conducted outreach to communities where electricity distribution substations and transmission lines are located. For all projects, the key to our success lies in addressing concerns with respectful dialogue and building trust on behalf of developers, utilities and agencies.

OUR EXPERIENCE

Energy

Iberdrola Renewables Tule Wind Power Project
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Distribution Station Arleta, West LA & Sherman Oaks
PPM Energy Dillon Wind Energy Project
Southern California Edison Simi Valley Substation, San Joaquin Cross Valley Loop Transmission Project
Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) Strategic Communications for Transition of Power Plant from Coal to Natural Gas
SunPower Corporation Longview Solar Project
Iberdrola Renewables Bonneville Power Administration Litigation

OUR EXPERIENCE

Water

Mesa Water District Public Education for Water Conservation Campaign
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Cryptosporidium Awareness Project
ICF International Venice Pumping Plant
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Devil’s Gate Sediment Removal Project
Metropolitan Water District Federal Credit Union Crisis Communications
Niagara Bottling Burlington, Washington Plant Closure
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Coyote Creek Access Road Repair Project
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Pacoima Wash Safety Outreach Campaign
Casitas Municipal Water District Comprehensive Water Resources Plan
City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering LA Diversion Structures
Cadiz Strategic Communications
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Water Resources Core Area Communications Plan
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Sativa

FEATURED WORK

Tule Wind Power in East San Diego County

About the project

A world leader in the development of wind energy enlisted Consensus to build support for the proposed Tule Wind Project in San Diego County located at what once was a mix of Bureau of Land Management acreage, tribal lands and private property with an approximate generation capacity of 200 megawatts. One of the first wind projects in San Diego County, the project faced substantial community concerns. Consensus launched “Cut the Green Tape,” a campaign to enlist and mobilize supporters to urge officials to support the Tule Wind Project as a pathway to increase the County’s sustainable energy generation. Rallying a cross-section of key organizations such as Clean TECH, the San Diego Chamber of Commerce and individual community stakeholders, hundreds of letters, emails and social media messages were sent to decision makers and overwhelming participation in four critical public hearings earned approvals from the San Diego County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.

FEATURED WORK

Grassroots Outreach for “Drought-Reach” Campaign

About the project

As part of a multi-faceted strategic communications and advertising campaign to raise awareness about the impacts of the California drought, Consensus designed and oversaw an extensive community outreach campaign to water users in the City of Costa Mesa regarding water conservation. We deployed and managed a large team of canvassers who knocked on thousands of doors to distribute information.

Helping world-class institutions grow.

EDUCATION

Consensus works with world-class institutions and think tanks, universities, community colleges, high schools and cultural entities to successfully engage internal and external stakeholders. We pride ourselves on facilitating healthy dialogue with their communities so their facilities and programs can thrive.

OUR EXPERIENCE

Education

 The Music Center of Los Angeles
  Focus Groups
 Crespi Carmelite High School  Master Plan
 University of Southern California (USC)
  University Park Specific Plan
 Self-Realization Fellowship
  Master Plan for Worldwide HQ
 Archer School for Girls
 Community Relations for Re-Use of Historic Building
 Cal Poly Pomona  Public Relations
 Curtis School  Communications Audit and Best Practices
 Hillcrest Christian School
  Community Relations
L.A. Community College District  Outreach for Five Campus Master Plans
 Maimonides Academy  Community Relations
 Marlborough School
  Community Relations for Multi-Use Field
 South Coast Air Quality Management District  Focus Groups for School Siting
 The Master’s College  Entitlements for New Facilities
Kuvera Partners   Hollywood Wax Museum
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo New Residential Development
ICF International Citywide Cat Program
ICF International City Sidewalk Program
Campbell Hall Public Relations

FEATURED WORK

Community Relations for the Crespi Carmelite High School Modernization Plan

About the project

Crespi Carmelite, a Catholic all-male college prep high school, sought approval from the City of Los Angeles to modernize its campus to remain competitive as a top-tier choice among Southern California private schools for the next generation students. If approved, the school’s new Master Plan could include an aquatics facility, new labs that support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, state-of-the-art Sports Center, a new parking structure and more. For over 60 years, Crespi has called Encino, California its home. Notoriously anti-development, Consensus knew this San Fernando Valley community’s support would be hard earned, so we embarked on a path to build that relationship on sound footing.

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Consensus won two Awards of Excellence from the Public Relations Society of America – Los Angeles chapter for community relations and social media for our work with Crespi.

Case Study

FEATURED WORK

Digital Outreach for The Village at USC

About the project

Consensus worked with USC on its expansion north as a part of the USC Master Plan and specifically, the University Park Specific Plan. The Village at USC is a large-scale retail and housing facility north of University Park Campus on 35 acres of land, with accommodations for over 5,000 student and faculty. Moving into the City approval process involving a series of hearings, the University identified a need for more tangible community outreach. USC had previously not extended their outreach to the greater public. Toward that end, Consensus established a digital presence to enhance the grassroots outreach campaign by organizing support from those interested in the growth of the campus, (i.e. students, alumni, community members, Angelenos, and decision makers) and mobilizing supporters for public hearings. Consensus developed an effective storytelling strategy that addressed popular misconceptions about the University by eliminating the perceived barrier between the institution and the community and also addressing issues such as fear of displacement, lack of housing, lack of shopping options, and high unemployment in the area.

FEATURED WORK

Public Involvement for Master Plan Development

About the project

Consensus provided public outreach and involvement strategy to the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) for five of its community colleges: Harbor College, Southwest College, Valley College, West Los Angeles College, and Pierce College. With the passing of a local bond measure, individual community colleges within the District were ready to move forward in planning their future. Although each site differed in size, location, and the extent of development that was desired, Consensus ensured all stakeholders had opportunities to learn more about each project, as well as provide valuable feedback on the Master Plan and Environmental Review processes. Consensus’ proactive and strategic engagement of stakeholders in diverse neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles, combined with a comprehensive public involvement programs meeting all CEQA guidelines, resulted in the certification of five EIRs for the Los Angeles Community College District.

Break new ground with your projects and our strategy.

CONSTRUCTION

We have decades of experience in community outreach for construction projects in real estate, transportation, public facilities, and environmental remediation. Our unique approach ensures that stakeholder concerns are addressed at the ground level before they have a chance to fester and escalate. We make it easy for people to get information from a variety of communications platforms, we speak their language, and through respectful, authentic dialogue we ensure concerns are addressed in a timely manner.

OUR EXPERIENCE

Construction

 ICF International Fire Station 39
 Lee & Ro San Vicente Emergency Generator Project 
 Granite Construction Bakersfield Aggregate Facility
 Orange County Transportation Authority Interstate 405 Improvement Project 
 Exposition Construction Authority Expo Light Rail Phase 2
 Gerding Edlen Development Mixed-Use Construction Outreach  
 Phelps Dodge Development Corp Verde Valley Ranch, Clarkdale
 Playa Vista Village at Playa Vista
 Southern California Edison Community Outreach Program for the Simi Valley Substation
 Standard Pacific Homes North Lake Lofts
 City of Santa Monica Santa Monica Pier Renewal
 LaTerra Development, LLC Glassell Park Construction Relations
 Regional Connector Contractors Regional Connector Transit Project 
 Seaview Investors 6399 Wilshire Blvd. Hotel Conversion

FEATURED WORK

Expo Construction Authority
Public Affairs & Construction Communications Services

About the project

One of the busiest transit lines in Los Angeles, the Expo Line stretches from Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica, steps from the ocean. Its construction spanned many years, funded in phases, and challenged by building around the most congested, dense and diverse communities in the region. After being plagued by issues and delays in the first phase, Consensus was engaged to ensure the second phase of construction would be well-received by community stakeholders and restore faith in the project. Consensus designed a comprehensive construction communications program to inform communities of temporary impacts in a timely manner and keep them updated on the progress of this iconic line. Consensus delivered an integrated public relations program including creative content, website development, construction alerts, social media platforms and updates, newsletters, and community meetings.

FEATURED WORK

Full-Time On-Site Community Liaison in Carson

About the project

During the most impactful stages of a major construction and remediation project, Consensus established and staffed a full-time community relations office. The site was a 157-acre former landfill in Carson, adjacent to the I-405 freeway, a residential community of mobile home parks, and single family homes. The site was being prepared for development using a technology known as Deep Dynamic Compaction (DDC), the process of compacting soil and underlying waste by dropping a heavy weight from a rig, causing significant noise and vibration impacts to neighbors. Consensus reduced anxiety among neighboring residents with an onsite liaison who proactively addressed issues and immediately responded to incoming calls or questions, identifying and resolving issues before they escalated.

FEATURED WORK

Construction Relations for LA’s Largest Master Planned Community

About the project

Consensus implemented a construction relations program for Playa Vista’s $100 million traffic mitigation program. Designed to be a mixed-use, live-work community, the project in West Los Angeles is surrounded by mature residential neighborhoods and wetlands. The traffic mitigation program included dozens of road widening, intersection improvements, and traffic circulation improvements throughout the area. Consensus utilizes multiple channels to inform and engage stakeholders in affected areas. In addition, Consensus worked proactively with residents and businesses to minimize the impacts of construction and resolve any issues before they escalated. The program included multilingual materials, a project hotline, website, direct mailings, community and business walks, signage, community meetings and elected official briefings.