Sheetz, Inc., Blair County
Keller Engineers was responsible for survey and site-civil design for the new 115,000 SF Sheetz Corporate Operations Center located on a 23.5-acre site in the Martin J. Marasco Business Park.
The project began with the reclamation of an old sand quarry formerly located on the project site. Reclamation required compaction testing to ensure future building stability.
The permitting process was challenging because wetlands on the property were recently reclassified as Exceptional Value (EV) due to changes in the FEMA floodplain boundary. Our design was able to avoid wetland impacts except for several wetland crossings. This resulted in the need for a Joint Permit and a wetland mitigation area. Additionally, because the site is tributary to EV wetlands, ABACT (Antidegradation Best Available Combination of Technologies) erosion and sedimentation control measures were required to protect the resources.
Stormwater management design was challenging due to high seasonal ground water which meant that infiltration Best Management Practices (BMPs) would not be feasible in many areas. Therefore, constructed wetlands were used to control the increase in runoff and improve water quality. This approach met the requirements of the Individual NPDES Permit.
For over 20 years I have had the privilege of working with Keller Engineers and their staff of surveyors, and civil and structural engineers on over $150 million worth of work. During these project relationships and partnering opportunities, my architectural teams have received nothing but premium professional services and courtesy towards my own staff, clients and prospective clients with stellar attention given to building and site details, client responsiveness and peer respect. I look forward to many more teaming opportunities and urge any other architectural firms, municipalities or clients who have not worked with Keller Engineers to do so. You will be pleasantly surprised! Richard L. Karcher, AIA, NCARB