Brownfield transforms into commercial hub

When Bass Pro Shops hoped to build a 148,000-square-foot retail store, they hired Midwest Engineering Associates, a Fehr Graham company to bring that vision to life. Our team transformed a 38-acre brownfield site into a vibrant community hub, following strict Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines.

We managed every aspect from planning and designing the site to following construction specifications. We prepared bidding documents and administered and laid out construction plans. Key improvements featured a 972-space parking lot, a bike path connection and utility extensions.

The site's transformation required a sophisticated approach. We conducted a hydraulic analysis and designed a closed-door storm sewer system with an outfall to U.S. waters, sanitary sewer system, water main, pavement design, earthwork, lighting, geotechnical considerations and conduit systems for electric power and data transmission. We also incorporated landscaping to enhance aesthetics.

Permitting was critical to this project. We secured approvals through the Illinois EPA for the water and sewer systems, coordinated with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for right-of-way encroachments and worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Our team collaborated with City officials, traveling with them to Bass Pro Shops headquarters to ensure the design met specific site requirements.

This was the first project where we used Macro Fiber Reinforcement instead of welded wire fabric for the pavement, which remains in excellent condition. Our team also completed boundary, topographical and public right-of-way surveys. We prepared bike trail and utility easements and completed construction staking. We prepared Federal Emergency Management Agency construction flood certificates, subdivision plats and descriptions and transferred the jurisdictional of right-of-way preparation from IDOT to the City. We also prepared American Land Title Association/American Congress on Surveying and Mapping land title surveys for the site.

This project is a blend of utility and design work that meets the needs of Bass Pro Shops and enhances the area. Navigating the complex regulatory landscapes was well worth it – the space benefits the community and the environment.