Project Use Type: Storage: Self-Storage and Industrial: Truck/Trailer Rental
Client: U-Haul International, Inc.
Location: Palm Bay, FL
Property Size: ~4.4 Acres
Building Scale: 100,000 SF

Services Provided:
– Infrastructure Planning Management
– Environmental Permitting Coordination

Unique Solution:
 Saved the client several hundred thousand dollars in site-work costs by designing a specialized stormwater detention system that bypassed the need for imported fill dirt while simultaneously managing protected species permitting and relocation.

Case Study - Sustainable Growth in Palm Bay, Florida: A High-Density Storage Success Story

Context & Services

For this 100,000 SF U-Haul self-storage and truck rental facility, we acted as the lead innovative partner for civil engineering and infrastructure planning. Our team managed the full Base Scope of services, including utility sketches, consultant coordination for geotechnical and environmental studies, and site visit documentation. We delivered a comprehensive Civil Construction Design Plan covering grading, drainage, and ADA compliance to ensure the site met both operational needs and modern accessibility standards..

The Unique Solution

Developing in Florida presents high-stakes barriers to completion regarding environmental and structural costs. We protected the client’s capital by performing protected species studies and managing the delicate permitting and removal of animals found on-site. To combat the region’s shallow groundwater, our engineers designed a specialized stormwater detention system that functioned without requiring massive amounts of imported fill.

By meticulously negotiating municipal compliance regarding the Florida Building Code (8th Edition) and the 50% native species landscaping requirement, we balanced aesthetic goals with budget realities. We anticipated these hurdles early, acting as a persistent advocate during pre-application meetings to ensure the project remained a viable investment rather than a stagnant transaction. Our craftsmanship in utility and fire safety coordination ensured the 100,000 SF facility remained within safe proximity to service mains and fire apparatus routes.

Success & Impact

The result was a hundred-thousand-dollar saving in site-work costs and the elimination of lengthy floodplain studies that often derail schedules. The facility now stands as a high-density community asset, providing essential storage and disaster-relief infrastructure while maintaining a low environmental footprint through native landscaping and protected species preservation.