Doug Carr 15 Year Anniversary

Congratulations Doug on reaching your
15-year anniversary with CUBE 3!

Please join us in congratulating Doug Carr on this milestone work anniversary and 15 memorable years with CUBE 3. Both Nik Middleton and Brian Oconnor, who had worked with Doug in the past, insisted he bring his talents to CUBE 3 where he would inevitably help shape the character and path of the company. Doug’s infectious positive attitude and seasoned business acumen make him a priceless asset to our organization. From his unwavering support of all our sports teams, to the help provided while guiding us through the Covid minefield — and everything in between — we can’t even imagine what C3 would be like without him. If you ever need to know what the best restaurant in Lisbon is, or how to find an excellent organic red, or who won Best Picture in 2014, Doug is your man.

Years in the Profession: 30

How long have you been at CUBE 3? 15 years as of June of this year.

What attracted you to join the CUBE 3 team? Nik and I worked well together when we were both at ADD Inc together two decades ago. We worked great as a team to fast track the design and construction of the CVS Headquarters/Store Support Center in Woonsocket, RI. The CA was so intense that I ended up living down in RI during the week for more than a year so I could maximize my on-site time and solve problems faster. I left ADD a few years later, but even then, I knew Nik was going to open his own shop and that it would be successful. He called me when he needed a real PM to join the firm (to oversee the Roger Williams’ Frat Boys that made up most of CUBE3 at the time). The rest is history.

What is your role at CUBE 3? It has evolved a lot over the years, as CUBE3 has evolved. I arrived as one of only a handful of PMs. As the company grew, we realized that there was a structure needed and I gradually got into the business and operations side of CUBE3. I am still involved in a few projects at the very earliest conceptual level, but I hand them off to PXs and PMs as soon as possible. I mostly am involved in running the company – looking at clients and contractors over many years to see how we did in terms of finances and the overall relationship; I am deeply involved in hiring and looking at strategies to grow and improve CUBE3.

What made you decide to go into Architecture? I was always drawing and building things as a kid, first with Legos, but then with whatever I could get my hands on. In High School, in lieu of a boring English paper, I asked my teacher if I could build a model of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater in London, which was a lot of fun to research and construct. About three decades later, I had the privilege of attending Anthony & Cleopatra at the reconstructed Globe Theater, which was a thrill. To be an Architect, you must have Architecture in your DNA.

That time we filled Doug’s office with balloons for his birthday (2015) ?

Doug has been a loyal supporter and participant in the many CUBE 3 sports teams over the years

What area(s) do you specialize in? I am a generalist. I know just enough about everything to be dangerous.

What is your favorite C3 project? The next one.

What is your favorite C3 memory? One of the most satisfying things I have experienced is the official grand opening of a project. When you came up with the original layout and concept for a building and have shepherded it through Entitlements, Design, Construction Documents and Construction Administration, sometimes over a several years or more, when you literally drew and helped build every piece of the project and you finally get to see the finished product, the sense of ownership and pride is immeasurable. It’s one of the most satisfying feelings in the world.

Favorite quote? I have two, not necessarily my favorite, but ones that come to mind now and then that I am fond of: “One War at a Time” – Abraham Lincoln, in reference to how he managed the Civil War in the US over his entire presidency while also managing to avoid war with both England and France, which was a real threat at the time and would have been fatal to the US effort. The quote is about keeping perspective on what you are doing, keeping focused on the main goal and not doing anything that would undermine that goal.

The other quote is: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” by Mae West.

“The Dougs” That time we dressed up as Doug for Halloween (2019)

Can you tell us a little about any personal hobbies or activities you are working on or passionate about? Committees, boards, groups you are involved with? Any other personal accomplishments you would like to mention?

Most of my volunteer work has been in service to the city where I grew up and still live in: Medford, MA.

I have served on the Board of Directors for the Medford-Brooks Estate Land Trust (M-BELT) since its creation in 1998. https://brooksestate.org/ The goal is the restoration of the 50-acre Brooks Estate and historic buildings for public use. I have specialized in planning and managing the many preservation and restoration projects for the Shepherd Brooks Manor, an 1880 Peabody & Stearns Queen Anne Manor and Carriage House, both on the National Register of Historic Places. I was also the primary author of the M-BELT Master Plan for the Brooks Estate, which summarized 15 years of planning and completed projects and looks ahead for the next 20 years at the Estate. I have become pretty knowledgeable about the challenges and details of historic preservation along the way.

I also serve on the Medford Historical Commission (MHC) since 2013. During the last 5+ years, the City of Medford has seen an explosion of new building, and an increasing number of tear-downs as well, some of which have resulted in new houses that are incompatible with the scale and character of the their respective neighborhoods. The MHC has pushed back and put demo delays on numerous properties that we deemed Significant and Preferably Preserved. On occasion, I have used my architecture and planning experience to show owners the potential of their property through additions and alterations vs. a straight demo.

I serve on the Medford Community Preservation Committee (CPC) which evaluates and awards funds raised through a 1% tax surcharge that can be used for Affordable Housing, Open Space and Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Over the past four years, the CPC has funded 70 projects with over $7m in funds. It is a very satisfying job to hand out money to worthy projects that directly improve the community!

Last, and certainly not least, I serve on the local chapter of the NAACP, which encompasses the communities of Medford, Malden, Winchester, Arlington, Everett & Woburn. In addition to fighting for the ongoing struggles of civil and voting rights, the NAACP are advocates for criminal justice reform, political action, and social justice. I joined the NAACP in 2014 and their mission has never been more important given the assault on voting and other rights by extremists who do not believe in democracy or the Constitution.

Doug and wife Donna at CUBE 3 Masquerade Ball 2018