Permits don’t have to feel like a maze. We sit down with Christopher “Topher” Barnes, Henderson’s Development Services Manager, to pull back the curtain on how projects move from idea to inspection inside a true one-stop shop. From centralizing building, fire, planning, public works, and mapping to a clear 3-2-1 review timeline, Topher explains how coordination beats silos and why predictable service targets save time and money for everyone involved.

You’ll hear how the team went fully digital in four days, built a virtual counter for small-scope permits with next-day feedback, and still kept space for in-person conversations when nuance matters. We dig into pre-submittal meetings, early issue-spotting, and what triggers code changes when a concept shifts—like adding live performance or increasing occupancy. Topher also shares how an in-house analyst group powers the portal, dashboards, and benchmarks that help the Center deliver 95 to 98 percent on-time reviews.

We talk fiscal stewardship and transparency, including how the enterprise fund model, a year-long cost of service study, and an industry advisory committee keep fees fair and performance accountable. Then we look ahead: adaptive reuse using the Existing Building Code, the realities of EV infrastructure and solar, and how the team vets new technologies without sacrificing safety. The takeaway is practical and optimistic—bring your project to the table early, lean on the one-stop model, and use the digital tools to keep momentum.

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