Master of Moving Pieces: Project Manager Mo Diop Takes Charge on DBI’s Residential Portfolio

Managing a residential project is similar in a lot of ways to the other work DBI Projects does: keep tight control of the budget, ensure vendors are meeting milestones to stay on track with the schedule, and enable effective communication between all project team members so that the client’s vision is reflected in the finished product. But, as Project Manager Mo Diop points out, there is also a key difference between residential and other projects. Where much of our work is involved with delivering places of business, study, or recreation, to name only a few, with residential work – this is somebody’s home.

Mo is currently managing the completion of major capital improvements across the 6-building Gouverneur Gardens housing cooperative on the Lower East Side. Work includes Local Law 11 repairs, installation of new generators, a new playground structure, full renovation of lobbies and storefronts, and rehabbing each building’s roof. But the scope extends beyond the coop’s common spaces and includes interior upgrades to each of the Gouverneur’s 778 units. Residents will receive new intercoms, outlets, control valves, and new windows in their units, as well as upgrades to infrastructure. Communicating with each and every resident on contractor access and systems downtimes is a 24/7 job for Mo.

“It can be challenging, because in order to communicate the big picture and the benefits of all this work, you first have to build trust with the residents,” Mo said. “A lot of these people have lived through major headaches created by past projects, so having those conversations with them early on and letting them know that we’re aware of their concerns and will do whatever we can to alleviate the burden of constant work is extremely important.”

Prior to joining DBI Projects, Mo worked in heavy civil engineering for 12 years, including an important role on the massive Grand Central Madison project. It prepared him for overseeing large-scale, complex construction projects and developed his skills as an expert communicator.

“Mo’s disciplined and regimented approach to managing communications and expectations across projects is invaluable,” Rob Krynicki, Senior Project Manager said. “He builds trust with clients and team members alike, helping to ensure that projects stay on track and momentum is maintained. His leadership makes both our internal and external teams operate more effectively.”

Over 70% of DBI Projects’ work is for clients in the non-profit sector. This includes K-12 schools and higher education institutions, community services organizations, museums and performing arts venues, as well as faith-based projects. So, when DBI Projects started to take on more residential projects, working with housing cooperatives, where residents collectively own and govern a building through a corporation, seemed like a natural fit.

DBI Projects’ mission to deliver projects that matter translates seamlessly into our approach to residential projects because no place matters quite like home. Mo embodies this mission as well as anyone else, through thoughtful planning, relentless problem solving, and obsessive monitoring of ongoing work to mitigate disruptions to residents.

In addition to working on DBI Projects’ residential portfolio, Mo has managed numerous projects for Uncommon Schools, overseeing renovations and repairs across the charter school network’s campuses.