Just tell your architect and your GC that this is your first rodeo and you will need some hand holding.

Great work and he connected me with a great architect.  

Should I have an architect design it?

It's a small town and there are not to many civil engineers and large project architects.

Then get an architect/GC and ask for the plans, while simultaneously look for funding.

If you haven't done it before, go find an experienced developer.If it was as simple as getting dirt and then building and lease-up, it'd be easy.However, there are lot of soft (aka go-away pmts to govt) monies and you need to get a good GC and architect to get you plans together.If it is your first, buy an existing MF and learn as much as you can - Much less risk.

At least you would know it was taken care off before the actual doors comes off and the damage is much worse.Jeremy - Registered Architect

@Todd Ashley if you really what to put the seismic issue to rest you need to call a local architect or structural engineer.

Hi Mario,I am an investor and architect here in Buffalo, NY.

Have inspector look for typical inspector stuff but also bring in a structural engineer/architect or maybe even just a contractor to look over the building for structural failures.