The Children's Workshop - Ormond Beach, FL
This project was for the addition of 3,000 SF classroom building to an existing pre-school in Ormond Beach. The Children's Workshop is a great developmental school that has earned and enjoys an excellent reputation. With enrollment consistently at capacity, it was time to make room for growth.
Although seemingly simple, the project is quite complex due to the fact that it exists completely within a floodzone and lies directly adjacent to Thompson Creek, which is considered an Outstanding Florida Waterway. As if that doesn't already sound like a permitting headache, there were also poor quality wetlands on the site that were going to be impacted. This project was actually so complicated that another local engineering firm had previously attempeted to execute the project, and only after spending large amounts of the Client's money, advised them that the expansion of the school on this site is likely not possible due to the requirements. Despite the challenges, the project was efficiently designed and permitted through the City of Ormond Beach and the St. John's River Water Management District by MetaWorld.
One of the unique aspects about this project was the Client's desire to maintain the wooded nature that exists. Because of the nature of construction activities in wetlands and our proximity to an OFW, as well as the need for floodzone compensation, the pond had to sized significantly larger than this type of construction project would typically require. This made it a significant challenge to preserve the natural environment.
None-the-less, our team of Professional Engineers were able to design a pond that meets the requirements while maintaining the natural environment. In-fact, as a result of the multi-cell pond design, the majority of specimen trees on the site were preserved, and tree replacement was not required. The school was also able to keep the "tucked away" nature they currently enjoy and were not willing to do without.
MetaWorld was responsible for all aspects of the project including being the project lead in procuring and directing all required surveyors, architects, geotechnical engineers, environmental scientists and landscape architects. We carried the project from a concept, to design and through permitting; and we look forward to seeing The Children's Workshop serve more of our community. Construction is expected to begin during the winter break.
Bruner Rd. Brownfield Project - Volusia County, FL
This project is one in which we are assisting our clients in developing a site that has a documented history of being used as an illegal C&D Landfill. MetaWorld is responsible for managing the development of the site, starting with designation as a Florida Brownfield.
The troubling history of the site is unfortunate to the area, as an illegal C&D Landfill means that potentially hazardous materials may have been dumped there, without the site being properly prepared to contain contaminants. The site is also surrounded by residential sub-divisions and borders the City well fields. It is imperative that this site gets cleaned up as soon as possible.
Being designated as a Brownfield makes it eligible for grant funding and tax benefits to provide financial assistance to clean-up the site, and therefore is the only reasonable way for private land owners to clean up a site of this nature. This designation had to come from Volusia County, who has only designated one Brownfield before. MetaWorld is proud to be on the forefront of environmentally responsible development techniques in Volusia County.
The project recieved final approval from the Volusia County Council for designation as a Florida Brownfield on June 2, 2016. We are currently in the process of negotiating a Brownfield Site Rehabilitation Agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, so that the site can be cleaned and eventually developed in a way that the City of Port Orange and Volusia County can be proud of.
Concordia University Relocation - Austin, TX
This project was the recipient of the Austin Business Journal Best Rehab / Development Project of 2009 Award. The project was for the relocation of Concordia University and consisted of roughly 60 acres of land improvements. As a part of this project, an existing research campus was acquired by the university, and additions were made to it. Those additions were a baseball field complete with dugouts, bleachers, concessions building and restrooms; a field house, two student housing buildings and mechanical building, a pump station, and parking to meet the needs of a university.
A member of our team was responsible for the engineering and permitting of all civil site aspects including site layout and grading, drainage and pond design, wet utility design, road and sidewalk design and erosion control measures. Our staff also served as the point of contact for in-field construction inquiries.
One of the unique challenges involved in this land improvement was the fact that construction had to be complete by the opening of fall classes, which placed it under an extremely abbreviated schedule. Additionally, the old campus was scheduled to be demolished at the end of spring classes, so any slip up would have cost the University greatly. Another complication was the fact that all of the earthwork required excavation of hard rock, and therefore construction times would be longer than typical.
As a result of the scheduling requirements and extended excavation times, it was required to obtain an excavation permit prior to having the final design permitted. Although risky, it was the only way to permit the design and get it construced time. With an amazing work effort and strict adherence to a forecasted schedule, the site was constructed prior to that start of classes.
Eagle Lakes - Palm Coast, FL
This project was for the construction of a 690 hom sub-division along 7.5 miles of new roads and associated infratsructure on 535 Acres.
A member of our team served as Project Manager and Design Engineer for preliminary and final subdivision planning, road widening, grading, utility design, stormwater management and project permitting for the site.
Site amenities include an eagle viewing park, clubhouse with pool, shuffleboard court, tennis court and associated parking on a. The stormwater management system consisted of 14 stormwater ponds/basins The site also included 4 lift stations spaced throughout the project for wastewater conveyance.
Belle Terre Business Center - Palm Coast, FL
This project was for the construction of 36,000 SF of office space on a property of approximatley 5 acres. A member of our team responsible for the design and permitting of all civil site related aspects for preliminary and final site planning including, grading, utility design and stormwater management.
Gable at Park Plaza - Austin, TX
This project was the recipient of the Austin Business Journal Best Multi-Family Project of 2010 Award. The project was a joint venture between the City of Austin and Gables Residential, and consisted of roughly five acres of mixed use land improvement centrally located in downtown Austin. The development included design of four roadways and a round-about intersection that were to be dedicated as Right of Way to the City.
A member of our team was responsible for the engineering and permitting of all civil site aspects including site layout and grading, drainage and pond design, wet utility design, road and sidewalk design and erosion control measures.
This project encountered a number of permitting challenges as it was bound by a Rail Road Right of Way, a City Power Plant and a FEMA floodplain. It was also required that a Conditional Letter of Map Revision by Fill (CLOMR-F) be filed to FEMA. That means that the land being developed will be filled in to the point where it is no longer at an elevation that is within the flood-plain, and therefore the FEMA flood-plain map required revision and development was permissable on that land.
At the end of the day, the project was an excellent example of utilizing space in the best possible manner; as it combines lush, strategically placed greenery that disguises the drainage ponds, extravagant buildings, an incredibley efficient round-about intersection, wonderful vehicular and pedestrian connectivity, and was permitted and constructed in a former flood zone. Today, this project is a focal point of tourism for the City of Austin, as it connects to Austin's only pedestrian bridge over the Colorado River (affectionately known to the local population as Lady Bird Lake in Austin). This is an area that is also highly traveled as it is a core part of the Music and Film festivals held in Austin every year.
Fairfield Inn - Palm Coast, FL
A member of our team served as Project Manager for preliminary and final site planning, grading, utility design, stormwater management and project permitting for the site which consist of a 110 room hotel, pool and associated parking.
Hidden Lakes - Palm Coast, FL
This project was a 202 acre parcel consisting of 380 single-family dwelling units along 3.5 miles of new roads and associated infrastructure. A member of our team served as Project Manager and Design Engineer for preliminary and final subdivision planning, road widening, grading, utility design, stormwater management and project permitting for the site.
Site amenities include a clubhouse with pool, playground, basketball court and associated parking. The stormwater management system consisted of 7 stormwater ponds/basins ranging from 0.71 – 15.4 acres. The site also included 1 lift station within the project for wastewater conveyance.
Gables at 5th & Pressler - Austin, TX
This project consisted of roughly three acres of mixed use redevelopment centrally located in downtown Austin. The redevelopment included water and wastewater design, general layout design for a mixed used facility, drainage design, and for the design of an underground water quality pond.
A member of our team was responsible for the engineering and permitting of all civil related aspects including site grading, drainage and pond design, wet and dry utility design, road and sidewalk design, and erosion control measures.
This project was particularly unique because it was one of the first to be permitted under the City of Austin's Sub-Chapter E Development Guidelines, which focus on mixed use and pedestrian connectivity. This project helped to identify conflicts in the guidelines, which were ultimatley ammended as a result. Despite the challenges involved, the property is now a popular establishment in the heart of downtown Austin.
Gables at 5th Street Commons - Austin, TX
This project consisted of roughly three acres of mixed use redevelopment, which included the incorporation of an existing development. This project was unique because it required the preservation of existing establishments, including a historic tree, and also because it involved the design of an underground pond beneath the parking garage. Additionally, the improvement required routing an existing canal around the proposed site via dual box culverts.
A member of our team was responsible for the engineering and permitting of all civil related aspects including site grading, drainage and pond design, wet utility design, road and sidewalk design, and erosion control measures.
Aeronautical Blvd. @ Cldye Morris Blvd. - Daytona Beach, FL
This project was an extremely challenging project for the introduction of a new intersection providing access to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) along Clyde Morris Boulevard. The project included widening an FDOT facility to a width sufficient for the intersection, signalization design and the approval of a Signal Warrant Analysis. Permitting this improvement was particularly difficult as the intersection improvements did not meet FDOT Guidelines and the amount of interagency coordination required was far above the average improvement.
This project was particularly unique because of its location, the parties involved and the fact that the proposed work was by a private entity on an FDOT facility and required the dedication of land for Right of Way. Additionally, the project required the extension of dual 60" culverts under and FDOT facility, a difficult permitting task. A member of our team was responsible for the engineering and permitting of roadway and intersection improvements, signal design and utility coordination.
The new intersection is located at the border between the Daytona Beach International Airport and ERAU, near a Runway Protection Zone. It is also located within Daytona Beach city limits, but is being maintained by Volusia County. As such, the project required diligent and effective coordination between the University, the County, the City,the FDOT, the FAA, the Army Corps. of Engineers and all private utility companies.
Furthermore, the new intersection did not meet signal spacing guidelines nor did it meet guidelines for the amount of traffic needed to construct dual turn lanes; thus making the permitting of this improvement all the more difficult. Upon presentation from our staff and diligent coordination, the new intersection and signal was warranted due to its effectiveness in alleviating a known and documented traffic safety issue on the roadway.
Constrution on this project was completed in September of 2013. The positive effect the intersection has had on traffic along the Clyde Morris Blvd. corridor is evident and appreciated by all.
