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Paul Volpe is 62, in good health and looking forward to continuing to work for years as a planner and architect.
However, he has just completed a transition in the ownership of his City Architecture firm that most members of his profession leave to fate.
He has transferred shares of the 20-person Midtown Cleveland architecture firm to three long-term associates who now run the show.
"They're the age I was when I started this firm 25 years ago," Volpe said. "It's their time to be doing this. When the time comes for me to leave - and it's not anytime soon - this firm will continue."
The new owners are longtime associates that Volpe wants to see continue City Architecture and its work.
"I didn't look for a buyer of the business," he said. "I want these people to own this business, and I want to remain a part of it."
The oldest of the new principals is August Fluker, 50, who joined City Architecture 19 years ago after working for other firms in town. John Wagner, 40, joined the firm a dozen years ago fresh from a master's program in architecture at the University of Michigan. The youngest is Alex Pesta, 36, who joined City Architecture after working there as a co-op student while getting his architecture degree at the University of Cincinnati.
"I (interned) at four firms. After the summer here, I knew this was the one I wanted to join," Pesta said. "That was due to the energy at this firm and its blend of residential and commercial work."
Although all four men said they all pitch in when something requires all hands on deck, they have different skills.
"It's one big studio," Pesta said.
Fluker handles construction documents, assigning staff and meeting deadlines. Wagner is the most focused on building issues as an...