Vigilante Stadium Improvements

Project Description

RPA completed design and construction oversight of a significant renovation to the Vigilante Stadium football field and running track facility at Helena Middle School in Helena, Montana. Improvements include a new 10-lane all-weather running track to replace the aging and deteriorating surface, ADA accessible sidewalks and wheelchair seating area, site fencing, cast-in-place decorative concrete retaining walls and replacement of the field lighting and control system. The new facility significantly improved the venue and experience for not only athletes and competitors, but also for event spectators.

Key Project Elements

  • New 10-lane all-weather running track
  • ADA accessible seating area
  • Cast-in-place decorative concrete retaining walls
  • New ADA accessible pedestrian access walks
  • New fencing
  • New field lighting and control system

Project Details​

Client

Helena Public Schools

Location

Helena, Montana

Malta Readiness Center

Project Description

RPA provided the civil/site design for a new Montana National Guard Readiness Center in Malta.  Built on an undeveloped parcel on the east side of Malta, new buildings associated with the project included a new 33,000 square foot Readiness Center Building and a new 9,000 square foot General Purpose Training Bay.  Included with the facility are a multitude of traditional spaces associated with training of soldiers and the daily operations of the unit.

Key Project Elements

  • Military Design Criteria – anti-terrorism / force protection (AT/FP), military vehicle parking and circulation, site security, military equipment loading ramp
  • Achieved LEED Silver Certification
  • Comprehensive topographic and utility site survey of entire 24-acre parcel and adjacent City rights-of-way
  • Fully accessible site design
  • 49,000 square feet of rigid concrete pavement (for military vehicle parking and circulation)
  • 60,000 square feet of flexible asphalt pavement (parking and circulation)
  • 9,000 square feet of concrete sidewalk
  • 1,200 linear feet of concrete curb and gutter
  • 1,500 linear feet of military site security fencing
  • 1,600 linear feet of new 8” PVC water main
  • 600 linear feet of new 8” PVC gravity sewer main
  • Military equipment loading ramp
  • Storm drainage conveyance and detention basin designed in accordance with LEED and Section 38 of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA 438)
  • Utility service extensions

Project Details​

Client

Montana Department of Military Affairs

Location

Malta, Montana

MANG Aircraft Apron

Project Description

The Montana Air National Guard (MANG), in partnership with the United States Department of Defense – National Guard Bureau (NGB), authorized design and construction of a 5.8-acre concrete apron expansion and supporting facilities to accommodate the mission of the MANG facility in Great Falls, Montana. The project more than doubled the military aircraft parking capacity of the facility, enabling the Guard to strengthen its ability to train and prepare the men and women of the Montana Air National Guard to respond to emergencies and provide support during war and in times of crisis.

The new 5.8-acre concrete apron expansion added four fully-compliant parking positions for the C-130J aircraft, as well as additional connecting taxilanes to the Great Falls International Airport (GFIA) airfield to allow any of the parked C-130’s to access the GFIA airfield without having to move another parked C-130. Other improvements included a new surface runoff collection system and lined evaporation pond to properly manage the runoff of glycol-based fluid from aircraft deicing operations, new stormwater piping and manholes, new airfield lighting and apron security lighting, and modifications to aircraft tiedown locations in the existing apron to accommodate the recent mission change from C-130H aircraft to the larger C-130J aircraft.

RPA provided professional civil engineering and land surveying services for this project. Specific services provided included: comprehensive 7-acre topographical site survey, apron and taxiway design, utility design and full-time construction observation and administration.

In addition to designing and phasing the improvements to minimize impacts to both Montana Air National Guard and Great Falls International Airport (GFIA) operations, the inclusion of multiple significant regulatory agencies and stakeholders greatly increased the complexity of this project. Not only was the design required to meet strict National Guard and United States Air Force requirements, it also was required to fully comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design and construction standards and requirements of the GFIA, due to MANG’s adjacency to, and utilization of, GFIA’s runways and taxiways. The design team held numerous meetings with all of the above agencies/stakeholders, to ensure both design and construction were in full compliance with all requirements. In total, more than 20 Department of Defense Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC’s), United States Air Force Engineering Technical Letters (ETL’s) and FAA Advisory Circulars were incorporated as required design standards for the project.

Project Details​

Client

Montana Air National Guard (MANG)

Location

Great Falls, Montana

Makoshika State Park Infrastructure Repairs

Project Description

Montana FWP required repairs to the aging infrastructure at Makoshika State Park. The park is in a very dynamic geologic setting “the badlands” with fossil laden highly erodible and expansive soils. Early project planning and design included: road repairs; campground relocation; associated municipal water and on-site wastewater disposal designs; trail improvements and a new pedestrian bridge. Budgeting, site assessment, and prioritization moved the project focus to its greatest need of road and drainage repair. Full Depth Recycling (FDR) and Cement Treated Base (CTB) with asphalt overlay were major components of the road design for about 2.5 miles of the park access road. Twenty-six drainage crossings were assessed and reestablished.

Project Details​

Client

Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks

Location

Makoshika State Park, Montana

Holter Lake Campground – Boat Ramp and Docks

Project Description

The Holter Lake Campground is located about halfway between Great Falls and Helena, Montana on Holter Lake, an impoundment on the Missouri River. Campground visitation is currently about 50,000 visitors per year with projections of up to 350 boat launchings per day. The design includes a 65-foot boarding float between boat access ramp lanes, an 88-foot courtesy dock, and a 235-foot main overnight dock. The layout accommodates 43 overnight moorings and is designed for winter seasonal removal of the floating dock sections.

Trails to the docks were routed to provide ADA accessibility and minimize the impact on the existing facility. The paved trails, concrete stairway, dock abutments, shoreline stabilization, and anchoring system designs were complicated by fill-type soils and shallow groundwater. The existing boat ramp was being undercut at the toe and required deepening and lengthening in addition to adding ramp access lanes. The water depth at the ramp toe required that sheet piling be installed for dewatering during construction. RPA coordinated with a number of structural, geotechnical, dock, and ramp specialists to facilitate the design.

Design alternatives were compiled into reporting that also addressed cost estimates. Design complications included significant wave and ice loads on the dock and shoreline stabilization. RPA accommodated multiple design reviews and provided complete plans and specifications provided for bid. The construction cost of the project was about $1.1M. The design work was completed through RPA’s IDIQ contract with the BLM Montana and Dakotas region.

Project Details​

Client

Bureau of Land Management

Location

Holter Lake, Montana

Port of Piegan – New Housing and Infrastructure

Project Description

RPA competed the Civil design work for this Land Port of Entry (LPOE) task under a General
Services Administration (GSA) Rocky Mountain Region 8 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota,
South Dakota, and Wyoming), AE Services IDIQ. The project involved building additional
prototype housing for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel at the Piegan LPOE property. The remote, self-sufficient site design required complex interrelations and significant infrastructure improvements.

KEY PROJECT ELEMENTS:

  • 63-acre site, 46 existing and new housing units
  • Phased design/build procurement, LEED compliance
  • Tribal lands, international border, national park setting, severe weather, variable seasonal use, and visitation, existing historic facilities
  • Site survey, existing infrastructure assessment, systems testing, soils investigations, alternatives analysis
  • On-site sewage treatment and disposal system, surge volume storage
  • Surface source water collection and security, water right review
  • Two-mile source water main, water treatment systems and backwash disposal, new water delivery system
  • Buried fire water and potable water storage, fire protection pump systems
  • Roads, parking, drainage system, and controls
  • Electrical distribution systems and emergency on-site generation, natural gas distribution
  • Security fencing, trails, common community areas, severe weather landscaping

Project Details​

Client

Bruce Boody Landscape Architects

Location

Port of Piegan, Montana

Montana Eye Care

Project Description

Working with Mosaic Architecture, the project included design and construction of a new 12,000 square foot clinic building. The new facility, located at the intersection of Montana Avenue and 11th Avenue in Helena, houses both an optometry clinic and retail showroom.
Site design included challenges associated with keeping the existing clinic building in service, while the new facility was being constructed. In addition to a fully accessible site design, the new facility includes 10,000 gallons of underground stormwater detention/retention, located directly underneath the new 38-stall paved parking lot. The underground facility is constructed of aluminized corrugated steel piping, with perforations to allow stormwater runoff to infiltrate on-site.

KEY PROJECT ELEMENTS

  • New 38-Stall Paved Parking Lot
  • Underground Stormwater Detention/Retention System
  • ADA Accessible Site Design
  • Site Landscaping and Privacy Fencing

Project Details​

Client

Montana Eye Care

Location

Helena, Montana

Architect

Mosaic Architecture

Volunteer Park

Project Description

This project consisted of developing a new public park in Lakeside, Montana. The existing project site contained a hotel, small business office, parking areas and a residence. The project consisted of demolishing the existing improvements and developing the site into a new community park, aptly called Volunteer Park.

RPA provided civil engineering services to design improvements to Adams Street, a 37-stall
asphalt parking lot, storm drainage, water and sewer improvements and ADA compliant
bicycle/pedestrian paths through the park. RPA prepared civil technical specifications and
construction drawings. During construction, RPA provided construction administration and
observation for the project.

Robert Peccia & Associates (RPA) also provided civil engineering for the expansion of Volunteer Park in Lakeside, Montana. RPA provided civil engineering for new sidewalk, curb and gutter, drainage and grading. RPA worked with the Montana Department of Transportation to work within their Right-of-Way. The project expanded the Volunteer Park and provided additional green space and pedestrian walkways throughout the park.

KEY PROJECT ELEMENTS:

  • Community Park on Flathead Lake
  • Boat Docks
  • Swimming Area
  • Lakeshore Improvements
  • Asphalt Parking Lot
  • Storm Drainage Improvements
  • MDT Encroachment Permits
  • Construction Administration & Observation

Project Details​

Client

Bruce Boody Landscape Architects

Location

Lakeside, Montana

Silos Master Plan

Project Description

Master plan to assess site and user needs, evaluate development alternatives, and identify a recommended alternative for improvements to site amenities and infrastructure at this recreation area located on the southwestern shore of Canyon Ferry Reservoir in Broadwater County, Montana. The planning effort involved review of related management agreements, evaluation of site facilities and usage characteristics including a feature inventory and an overview of visitation and economic impact, and analysis of the physical environment. After defining needs and objectives for the site, a range of alternatives was evaluated, including phasing, airport considerations, and various entry configurations. Through public, stakeholder, and steering committee input, a final conceptual site layout was developed to address primary access roadways, bay improvements, event and day use sites, overnight RV and tent camping accommodations, utilities, parking areas, trails, ADA accommodations, and amenities such as a visitor center and camper services. Schematic design drawings, cost estimates, potential funding opportunities, and management and policy considerations were also outlined in the plan to assist with future implementation. The planning process was guided by representatives from the Broadwater County Commission and Planning Department, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the Broadwater County Trust Board and Airport Board, and the Citizens Action Group for the Silos Recreation Area.

Project Details​

Client

Broadwater County

Location

Broadwater County, Montana

Helena Shooting Range

Project Description

RPA partnered with Slate Architecture to complete a site and building design for a new state-of-the-art indoor shooting range in Helena, Montana. The project consists of a single story, 105ft x 62ft indoor gun range facility constructed of load bearing cast-in-place concrete walls using insulated concrete forming (ICF) systems and premanufactured, metal plated wood trusses. The site civil work included a new parking lot, sidewalk and ADA compliance, site grading and drainage, onsite stormwater, and water and sewer services.

KEY PROJECT ELEMENTS

  • 6,510 square feet

Project Details​

Client

Range 406

Location

Helena, Montana

Architect

Slate Architecture

Bryant School

Project Description

As a subconsultant to Mosaic Architecture, RPA provided civil engineering services for the new Bryant School in Helena. Design and construction of the new 50,000 square foot school building and 12,000 square foot gymnasium building was coordinated and completed without removing the existing school building that is located on the same site. RPA’s services included site and legal survey, civil/site design and traffic engineering. Construction of the new school was completed in August 2019, in time for the 2019-2020 school year.

KEY PROJECT ELEMENTS

  • On-Site Storm Water Retention and Treatment
  • Accessible Site Design
  • Paved Parking Areas
  • Site Utilities
  • Traffic Impact Study

Project Details​

Location

Helena, Montana

Architect

Mosaic Architecture

Central Elementary School

Project Description

As a subconsultant to SMA Architects, RPA provided civil, site and landscape design services for the new Central Elementary School in Helena, Montana. The site posed significant grading challenges, due to an elevation change of nearly 30 feet across the 3-acre site. The design team incorporated site walls and variable building finished floor elevations to ensure usable and accessible exterior spaces. Construction of the new school was completed in August 2019, in time for the 2019- 2020 school year.

Project Details​

Location

Helena, Montana

Architect

SMA Architects