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DEVELOPMENT, DESIGN PROS TO RECEIVE ICSC DESIGNATION

By Meredith Mannino

Next year, for the first time, development, design and construction professionals will be able to receive a professional designation from ICSC. The new designation, titled Certified Development, Design & Construction Professional (CDP), was created after ICSC members from these disciplines pitched the idea.

“Being able to offer this new designation for the first time in 2007 as part of ICSC’s 50th anniversary celebration once again highlights how far the shopping center industry and its outstanding professionals have come over the years,” said Michael P. Kercheval, ICSC’s president and CEO.

To qualify for the certification, an individual must have been actively involved in the design and/or construction of shopping centers for at least five years, preferably as an architect, engineer, general contractor/construction manager, facilities manager, retail construction manager or store planner.

As with the other ICSC designations, candidates must first pass an exam. A CDP Admission and Governing Committee was formed to establish the test’s content areas, which will comprise 20 percent development, 20 percent design/architecture and 20 percent construction/construction management. The remaining portion will consist of questions about retail store planning, codes and regulations and project cost management, as well as issues of law, insurance and ethics. The first test will be administered in December of next year at ICSC’s annual CenterBuild Conference, in Phoenix.

CDP test review courses will be available to help candidates prepare. By April there will be a design “institute” within ICSC’s John T. Riordan School for Professional Development offering such courses.

The CDP designation demonstrates a broader level of knowledge that exceeds the specific requirements of an architect, general contractor or other professional, says Gordon (Skip) Greeby, president of The Greeby Cos. Greeby is co-chairman of the CDP Admission and Governing Committee. “The CDP designation signifies that the person understands the entire development, design and construction process from soup to nuts.”

James F. Tinkum, vice president of construction and store development at Payless ShoeSource Worldwide and committee co-chairman, echoed Greeby’s sentiments. “It is a real plus for retail companies, shopping center developers and contractors to have their key people hold what we believe will be a highly prestigious designation,” he said.

The organization currently has designations for the marketing, leasing and management of shopping centers. They are Certified Shopping Center Manager (CSM, created in 1964), Certified Marketing Director (CMD, 1971), Certified Leasing Specialist (CLS, 1994), Accredited Shopping Center Manager (ASM, 1998) and Accredited Marketing Director (AMD, 1998).