From Concept to Community

“We worked with M’akola on The Hope Centre project in Sooke. It was a good experience and they were very professional. Working with MDS they really included us in the team and they were very team-spirited and worked collaboratively with everyone. They are really good people and enjoyable to work with. MDS was good at navigating the construction delivery methods working with BC Housing. I look forward to working with them again.”

“We’ve worked with MDS on two projects now, The Hope Centre and Rosalie’s Village. The team is very responsive and it’s been a very good experience both times. Personally, I get along well with the team, they are very efficient and easy to work with.”

“MDS is very multi-cultural, not only is it rooted in Aboriginal communities, but the staff have various cultural backgrounds as well. Many of the staff are early in their career and it really adds a balanced approach to the organization and that is different from other consulting firms. The team is also much more personable and they make you feel welcome. Other firms treat you like a job, and MDS treats you like a person, they are really interested in what you do.”

“The MDS team has an exceptional ability to listen and take action. Some firms work within their vision and just do what they want, but MDS listens and the client gets what they want. MDS is very professional and they anticipate the work that needs to be done.  

I’ve seen dozens of applications for government funding and I’ve never seen any that exceed the quality that MDS provides.”  

“M’akola Development Services serves a development consultant for our new build in Nanaimo at 1597 Boundary Crescent. They also helped assist us in developing a partner agreement between three organizations in the project. MDS was an absolute pleasure to work with. The skills of Kevin Albers and Tinny Lallie have been excellent, they have good communications and they are also efficient and effective.”

“This is my first time working with a development consultant team on a new project. My experience has been awesome. MDS has always been consistent and the staff have really been working with me. I have been included on every step along the way and they have excellent communication. They really know what they are doing and if new things arise they research it until they have the answers. Whenever I haven’t understood something they are able to explain it to me in an easy-to-understand way.” 

“The MDS team has an exceptional ability to listen and take action. Some firms work within their vision and just do what they want, but MDS listens and the client gets what they want. MDS is very professional and they anticipate the work that needs to be done.

I’ve seen dozens of applications for government funding and I’ve never seen any that exceed the quality that MDS provides.”

“Our experience in the Boundary Supportive project has been great working with MDS. This project is a partnership between three societies and MDS has done a great job including all us in all aspects. The communication skills and knowledge of the development process has really helped turn our idea into a reality. MDS has been a part of this process from beginning to end starting at the Request for Proposals, to capital and operating budgets and though to the development consulting. It has been a very pleasurable experience working with MDS, I look forward to working with them in the future.”

“MDS has helped us navigate all the avenues needed to get our affordable housing project off the ground. The MDS staff are very approachable and professional. The team has helped us develop a preliminary concept working with the bylaws, zoning requirements and Terrace’s Official Community Plan. Aside from understanding the logistics of development, MDS has a real understanding serving communities and helping people create and build safe, affordable housing. Through our experience the MDS team has been very efficient and trustworthy.”

“At M’akola Development Services they are very attentive to the owner’s concerns and requests. We have worked on multiple BC Housing projects with MDS and they have a great knowledge of BC Housing’s processes. BC Housing projects are quite unique and the people at MDS keep abreast with how things work.

We have worked with many development consulting firms and it really comes down to the people on the team. MDS has integrity, they are straightforward, reliable and professional”

“MDS has been efficient, professional and forward thinking. The fact that MDS staff bring a variety of professional backgrounds to the table makes all the difference. Kaela Schramm has a planning background and Kevin Albers comes with backgrounds in finance and development and experience managing large non-profits. This adds real value, expertise and depth to the table.”

“The team at MDS was able to anticipate the questions and concerns of our community and council. They came prepared to all meetings and completed all of their work with us very thoroughly. It was nice to see the team tailor their projects and presentations to the needs of our community and support us in our efforts to bring more affordable housing the community we serve.”

“M’akola Development Services has been great to work with throughout the entire process of 550 Goldstream Avenue project in Langford. The team worked well with us and we could count on MDS to help us throughout the entire process. Here at Scansa we pride ourselves on our attention to detail and it was great working with MDS who also do the same. The M’akola team was always following up and making it easier for us to do our jobs. We are happy to be a part of the great project and help 36-families in Langford find affordable housing.”

“We are working with MDS on the Spruce Street housing project in Prince George, and other affordable housing projects.  They provide expertise in development and managing affordable housing, and have been indispensable in guiding the team towards a project that not only meets budgets but meets the mandate of the society.  The professionalism and collaborative effort from M’akola on these projects has assisted greatly during our design process to ensure we meet the needs of our clients while developing functional and attractive buildings”

“My experience with MDS has been fantastic. It’s one of the best jobs we’ve been involved in. The team was professional and informative. We all worked really well together. The entire project was rolled out really smoothly. I wish all the projects ran like The Hope Centre.”