Project Highlights

ACEC/NC Engineering Excellence Award

The work conducted by S&ME performed for Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, Inc. was for the re-development of six buildings used for commercial and residential properties. The redevelopment of the property enhances and revitalizes part of the downtown, and also helps preserve a vital landmark in the downtown Durham area.

The American Tobacco-Phase II project site consists of six industrial buildings ranging from single story to five stories. The Old Bull Building is a 133,400 square foot three- and five-story building built between 1874 and 1903 with five sections. The Lucky Strike building is a 60,900 square foot four-story building built in 1903. The Noell Building is a 41,600 square foot single story building with a basement with portions built in 1894 and 1921. Another building, the Power House, is a 19,375 square foot multi-story building built between 1929 and 1939 with a single story wing that was added in 1948. The Hill Building built in 1900 is a 64,000 square foot two-story building with a basement. The coal shed is a 9,425 square foot single story building built in 1951. A semi-detached smokestack is located on the north side of the building.

S&ME’s services included geotechnical engineering, environmental services, industrial hygiene and materials testing.

Environmental Services: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), a Phase II ESA, Brownfields Program consultation, asbestos and lead surveys. Hazardous materials abatement specifications and abatement monitoring.

Geotechnical Services: Engineering for general site grading, foundation bearing, retaining wall design, seismic classification and excavation.

Construction Materials Testing Services: Evaluation of existing mortar and slab moisture, and emissions testing.

S&ME’s role in the project demonstrates extensive experience in performing a wide range of geotechnical and environmental services capabilities.  The asbestos and lead-based paint services  demonstrate our ability to design and oversee large abatement projects in historical buildings. It also shows our knowledge with Brownfields Program requirements.