In August of 2011 Tropical Storm Irene flooded the Waterbury State Office Complex, leaving behind silt, debris, and extensive property damage. Approximately 1,200 state employees were displaced by the flooding and a number of infrastructure vulnerabilities exposed by this event. Although there was strong interest in rebuilding the campus, due diligence required a closer look before proceeding.
Engineering Ventures was hired as part of a team to study several options for relocating or rebuilding the state offices. Four options were reviewed, ranging from partial rebuilding to full reconstruction on a new site. For each option, we considered water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater needs along with hardscape areas, electrical and telecom availability. Existing infrastructure was evaluated through a lens of resiliency.
Through this process, it was decided to rebuild a flood proofed facility at the existing campus. Our team was selected to take this project through design and construction. Engineering Ventures provided civil and structural engineering services for enabling, demolition, design, and construction phases of this project.
Restoration of the historic Waterbury State Office Complex included removal of the 22 most susceptible and least historically valuable buildings and dry flood proofing of the remaining core buildings against damage from a 500-year (0.02% annual likelihood) flood event. A new Central plant and modern office building were constructed along with a new road and parking areas. Utility work included full reconstruction of the sanitary sewer system with a new pump station and extension of new water mains to create a redundant loop system. Stormwater treatment was provided by long vegetated swales that allow infiltration but also can be easily cleaned and returned to service in the event of any future silt deposition.
In addition to design services, Engineering Ventures guided the project through the ANR and Act 250 permit processes and supported the local permit process. This is the largest single project the State of Vermont has ever completed.
