This article was written by Bill Floyd, managing partner at Pendleton and mayor of Decatur, Ga., from 1999 to 2013, and Eric Clarkson, economic development specialist at Pendleton, who served as mayor of Chamblee, Ga., for 16 years, as part of the consultancy’s sponsorship of Global Atlanta.  It appeared online on November 9, 2024.  View the original article here.

Municipal leaders face increasing challenges when managing large-scale projects that cross jurisdictional lines. As former mayors in the Atlanta area and long-time public servants, we’ve seen firsthand how seemingly straightforward initiatives can become entangled in a web of overlapping agencies, complex regulations and fragmented communications.  

This is especially true for infrastructure projects like transit and transportation, which often involve city, county, state and federal agencies working alongside private sector partners. 

At The Pendleton Group, we’ve learned that the key to success in these situations is not only technical expertise but also the ability to coordinate and communicate across a broad spectrum of stakeholders.  

Whether working with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) on highway projects or coordinating with MARTA on transit initiatives, municipalities cannot afford to overlook the importance of clear, consistent communication between all parties involved. 

Take, for example, the Northern Perimeter region of Atlanta, where several municipalities rely on both GDOT and MARTA to resolve complex transportation challenges. Too often, we’ve witnessed agencies operating in silos, each focused on their own specialty—engineering, planning, operations and maintenance—without enough attention to the need for overarching coordination. This leads to delays, miscommunication and inefficiencies.  

That’s where experienced consultants can step in. 

Our experience allows us to play the role of “quarterback,” ensuring that every department, agency and stakeholder involved in a project is not only communicating effectively but also moving forward on the same page.  

During our time as city mayors, we were on the front lines of these challenges, managing massive infrastructure projects and understanding the critical role of interagency cooperation.

Now, at Pendleton, we help municipalities navigate this complexity by bridging the gaps in communication, facilitating relationships and ensuring that projects don’t fall through the cracks. 

Learning from International Experience 

One of the most common misconceptions we encounter is the belief that local governments can manage these challenges on their own. While city and county managers are often highly capable, they are also stretched thin.  

Elected officials, appointed board members and staff have a full plate of responsibilities, and critical details can sometimes be overlooked. Leaders may assume that interagency communication will happen organically, but our experience shows that without a dedicated team ensuring these connections, projects often stagnate. 

This issue is further complicated when foreign companies enter the equation. In many countries, large infrastructure projects are typically managed by national agencies, often with significant financial backing.  

In the United States, however, local governments must navigate a fragmented system of funding and regulation, which can be daunting for international businesses unfamiliar with our processes. Misunderstandings arise, and without a knowledgeable intermediary, these projects can face unnecessary hurdles.  

Advisors who have both domestic and international relationships and experience are well-positioned to help foreign companies successfully engage with U.S. municipalities. 

Pendleton brings this international perspective to the table. Having served as city officials, economic development commissioners and corporate leaders, we know that there are lessons to be learned from how other countries tackle complex infrastructure projects.  

For example, while light rail systems and pedestrian-friendly urban designs have long been successfully implemented in Europe, these ideas are only now gaining traction in the U.S.  

Our team has the experience and insight to help local governments adapt these international best practices to their own unique challenges. 

Beyond relationships and expertise, one of the most critical aspects of managing multi-jurisdictional projects is financing. This is often the make-or-break factor, and municipalities need to explore alternative funding mechanisms, particularly as traditional funding sources become limited.  

Financial markets are constantly evolving, and working with private developers on projects like toll lanes—already happening in the Atlanta metro area—is just one example of how municipalities can leverage private investment.  

At Pendleton, we help local governments explore innovative financing solutions, drawing on examples from around the world to ensure that projects are not only feasible but also sustainable. 

As metro Atlanta continues to grow, so too do the demands on its infrastructure. With over 6 million residents, the region’s reliance on aging systems, such as septic tanks and water mains, presents significant challenges. These projects are essential to the long-term sustainability of our cities.  

And as these needs continue to expand across jurisdictional boundaries, municipalities must work together, with guidance from experts who understand the full scope of what’s involved. 

Managing complex, multi-jurisdictional projects requires more than just technical expertise—it demands clear communication, strong relationships and a comprehensive understanding of the many moving parts involved.  

When navigating these challenges, municipal leaders should not hesitate to seek outside help from advisors who bring in-depth experience, long-term relationships and a global perspective to ensure that projects are completed efficiently, effectively and in the best interest of all parties involved.  

Learn more here or contact us at info@pendletonatlanta.com.