OTL Celebrates a Year of Exciting Project Completions and Growth

The year 2023 has been an amazing one for our company, marked by the completion of a host of phenomenal one-of-a-kind projects and significant progress toward our business goals. In addition, we have an exciting development in the works that we are close to unveiling in the coming months.

This year, our team completed several high-quality projects in markets across the country. We joined forces with general contractor Hoar Construction and landscape architect Coleman & Associates to build a new fountain at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, representing Girls Aid to Athletics (GATA), the oldest continuously named women’s social club on campus. The water feature replaced the previously refurbished version of the original fountain, which had been gifted to the university in 1970. The new fountain is highlighted by a dentil pattern – a small block used as a repeating ornament in the bedmould of a cornice, often found in Greek and Roman architecture – and features attached basins behind a bench that is part of a sitting area for those on campus to rest and enjoy the water feature’s sights and sounds.

Also this year, OTL joined Joeris General Contractors and the project’s landscape architect Kimley-Horn to create a one-of-a-kind show fountain at Trinity Mills Station, a 25-acre urban transit-oriented development in Carrollton, Texas, featuring office buildings, luxury apartment homes, entertainment, retail, and a hotel within public plazas and promenades. The water feature, which OTL designed and constructed, was inspired by the City of Carrollton’s railroad system. It comprises a pool of water lined on one side with a dozen 20-foot-tall poles that support custom fabricated semaphores – similar to those still used to define stop/go signals on railroads across the country – shooting streams of water that dance up and down in a wave-like motion.

Another breathtaking project delivered by our team in 2023 involved Phase II of a stunning series of water features and rockwork at Hillside Memorial Park, a cemetery in Los Angeles, California. In 2008, OTL was involved in Phase I, a series of tranquil ponds and rockwork for the cemetery’s Garden of Solomon, a splendorous area within the park named for King Solomon, a monarch of ancient Israel. This year, our firm worked with project architect and landscape architect BrightView Design Group to complete Phase II, expanding on the original concept to enhance this private oasis with additional stunning water features and rockwork.

In addition, we constructed a unique and artful interactive water feature at Universal Plaza in downtown Tigard, Oregon. Working alongside water feature designer Fluidity Design Consultants, project architect Rios, and general contractor P&C Construction, we completed a multi-functional water feature that appeals to adults and children alike. The fountain creates an element of surprise and delight with a combination of a scrim pool, a mist feature, and choreographed tunnels of arched fountains, all of which can work in conjunction or in isolation.

Perhaps our piece de resistance this year was the completion of the spectacular Illuvia show fountain at EpicCentral, a 172-acre entertainment district in in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in Grand Prairie, Texas. The “Vegas-style” fountain features large-scale video projection and specialty lighting effects, along with choreographed music, thrilling air-fired jets, and robotic nozzles that propel water to heights of over 60 feet, creating a statement that is visible from all around.

Of course, none of these projects would have been possible without our incredible team of artisans, technicians, and office and field professionals, many of whom have demonstrated amazing growth this year.

Sarah Shores was promoted from Office Manager to Vice President Administration and was recently included on GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum’s list of Women of Influence for 2023. Also, Mike Cuicchi was promoted from Project Manager to Senior Project Manager this year.

Additionally, we welcomed some tremendously talented new team members, including Business Developer Scott Strasner, who joined us in March; Project Engineer Candace Leutzinger, who came aboard in May; and Area Service Care and Maintenance Manager Billy Johnston, who became part of the team in July; amongst others. We are so proud of these employees – and our entire team – for what they bring to the table and for their dedication to our company’s excellence.

Lastly, we were thrilled this year to complete the development of a patented, revolutionary new AI technology that delivers a magical experience for project owners and guests/visitors. We are implementing this technology at several of our projects and look forward to announcing it officially next year.

As we wrap up 2023, we are excited for what the new year will bring – for us and for all of you. Our team wishes you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a joyous, healthy, and prosperous 2024!