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QDI in Action: Southway and Pax Development

QDI in Action: Southway and Pax Development

How Southway’s Core Values of Quality, Dependability, and Integrity Shape Partnerships and Projects

 

Interview with Scott Link

President, Pax Development

January 2025

 

At Southway Builders, our mission is to “build and transform people, communities, and buildings, all on a foundation of quality, dependability, and integrity.” To shine a light on how these values come to life in real-world projects, we interviewed Scott Link, President of Pax Development, about his experience partnering with Southway Builders.

Scott brings a wealth of experience from his time at Pax Development. Through his role in managing and overseeing development projects, he has had the opportunity to work closely with the Southway team on several key initiatives, including Merritt Station II, Rock Spring Station, Bensons Corner, Hamilton Station, Hopewell Station, Greenside Apartments, and Tremont Apartments. In this interview, Scott shares his thoughts on the qualities that set Southway Builders apart in the construction industry, from their commitment to quality and dependability to the trust they’ve built with clients and partners.

 

When was the first time you worked with Southway Builders?

 

The first project I worked on with Southway was actually the building where our office is located here in Forest Hill. I joined Jeff Paxson at Pax Edwards in January 2018, which has since become Pax Development. We were closing on the Rock Spring Station project and hadn’t started construction yet. That’s when I first got to know the Southway team. From there, we’ve had several successful projects together, and they’ve all been positive experiences. One standout was Merritt Station II, which I’d say was probably the cleanest and most well-run project I’ve worked on in my 15 years in the industry.

 

Merritt Station II (Baltimore, MD)

 

What made Merritt Station II such a well-run project?

 

It came down to the team. Jason Haslam, one of the partners here, and I were reflecting at the end of Merritt Station II about how smooth the whole process was. The punch list was minimal, and the final inspections went without a hitch. We were able to trust that the team on site was executing the plan as promised, and they did an excellent job managing issues, like delays with acquiring electrical gear from the manufacturer, which could’ve caused major setbacks. Instead, they kept us informed and worked diligently to keep the project on track, minimizing the delay to about 30-45 days instead of what could have been six months.

 

How does Southway’s commitment to quality stand out in the industry?

 

Southway truly stands by the quality of their work and I trust that they will be fair with us and make right anything that should be their responsibility, even after warranty periods expire. That kind of reliability is rare.

A great example of adding value and not costs can be seen in our kitchen countertops at Merritt Station II.  Most of our developments in affordable housing end up with laminate countertops, but at Merritt Station II, Southway went above and beyond. They were able to negotiate a deal for granite countertops and great cabinets. In fact, we ended up with a $10,000 credit once we were under construction because Southway negotiated a combination of granite countertops and cabinets at a price lower than what we had originally anticipated. This was a higher-quality product than what we had planned for, and they brought it to us as a suggestion.  This is a perfect example of how they go above and beyond to deliver value.

 

Merritt Station II (Baltimore, MD)

 

What about dependability? Can you speak to Southway’s approach here?

 

Absolutely. One key area is the relationship I have with Justin Wenger, who heads up estimating and preconstruction. When I’m considering a new project, I can call Justin, to talk through ballpark construction pricing, and know I’m getting accurate and timely information. That kind of dependability is crucial when you’re deciding whether to move forward with a project. With Southway, I know I can trust them to give me the information I need to make informed decisions. Southway is my first call when I’m looking at a new deal or a potential project.

 

Who are some of the standout project managers you’ve worked with at Southway?

 

The team at Merritt Station II really stood out to me. Scott Baldwin, Chris Franz, Ted Martin, and George Arendt were all heavily involved. The depth of experience at Southway really shows when you have high-level leadership involved throughout the project.

 

If someone was considering Southway for a project, what advice would you give them?

 

I’d say expect a hands-on approach. Southway is great at understanding the full scope of a project and offering creative solutions, especially when it comes to managing costs. Justin and the pre-development team are always upfront about costs and potential changes down the line. Other contractors might not be as forthright, but Southway sets realistic expectations from the start, which helps avoid surprises down the road. You can count on them to deliver.

 

In partnering with Southway Builders, Scott Link has seen firsthand how their values of quality, dependability, and integrity shine through in every project. Whether it’s ensuring a job is done right, managing expectations, or navigating challenges, Southway has consistently proven to be a reliable and trusted partner in the development industry. As Scott says, “Whenever I’m exploring a new project, sometimes even just in the idea phase – Southway is my first call.”