We will create meaningful experiences through inspired design.
Mission
To bring thoughtfulness to every detail in advancing our clients toward their vision and improving our communities.
Unique Value Proposition
United in our pursuit of your vision, we will leverage our knowledge, offerings and culture to create meaningful experiences.
Brand Promise
We are united by a shared vision. Through our unity, we will be thoughtful and responsible in achieving your goals. We will stand by your side and take ownership of every decision we make together. We will inspire one another to think bigger. Because only together can we create experiences that go from vision to achievement, which will energize our communities.
Our Values
The tone we set as to how we behave as an organization.
Resourceful
Being resourceful requires you to be openminded; always be mindful of others’ ideas, thoughts and positions. By doing so, you become more self-aware, informed and can be inspired by those you engage and interact with. In addition, you’ll be self-assured your team decisions and project directions are appreciated by those around you.
Thoughtful United Responsible
Thoughtful implies providing little attentions, offering services or in some way looking out for the comfort or welfare of others.
Thoughtfulness starts with the individual and the mindset of putting yourself in the shoes of others by understanding their needs, wants, desires, goals, etc.
Our strength as a firm is derived from our collective capabilities. Our culture aligns us, elevating and utilizing each individual’s talents to create one entity to serve our clients and communities. Because we share in one another’s goals, we are dedicated to our clients, communities and each other.
Being responsible is second nature to McAdams. Our team members know that our clients rely on us to take care of every aspect of the project scope. This means we take ownership of the project and pursue excellence because we understand that "we are relied upon to do the best possible work."
Overview
OUR LOCATIONS
Raleigh, NC (Headquarters) 621 Hillsborough Street Suite 500 Raleigh, NC 27603 919. 361. 5000
Cultivating planning, design and engineering expertise since 1979. McAdams is a full-service civil engineering, land planning, landscape architecture, transportation and geomatics firm headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina with offices in Durham, Charlotte and Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.
Our People
Get to know the experience makers.
Comprised of over 450 professionals, the firm includes more than 175 professional engineers and engineering designers; 26 registered landscape architects; 11 certified planners; 19 professional land surveyors; 10 LEED® certified professionals; seven certified floodplain managers; two certified floodplain surveyors; one certified arborist; and one certified professional in erosion and sediment control.
Engaged in impactful projects, we bring together creative solutions that energize communities. Our work goes beyond design and engineering, focusing on thoughtful and resourceful experiences.
Our Services
We strategically align top-tier expertise with extensive experience tailored to each project type. These capabilities include:
Landscape Architecture + Land Planning
l Due Diligence + Feasibility Studies
l Site Analysis + Feasibility Studies
l Conceptual Master Plans + Land-use Plans
l Detailed Site Design
l Renderings, Perspectives + Graphics
l Placemaking
l Planting Design
l Irrigation Plans
l Site Lighting Design
l Detailed Construction Documentation
l Hardscape + Site Amenity Design
Civil Engineering
l Preliminary Site Analysis
l Site Grading + Analysis
l Sanitary Sewer Site Design
l Domestic Water + Fire Protection
l Neighborhood + Community Park Design
l Sports Complex Planning + Design
l Entry Signage + Monumentation Design
l Wayfinding + Environmental Graphics
l Schematic Pool + Water Feature Design
l Master Planning
l Site + Yield Analysis
l Highest + Best Use Program
l Comprehensive Plans + Needs Assessments
l Sustainable Land Use Design
l Site Specific Land Use Planning + Design
l ADA Compliance
l Storm Drainage System Design
l Erosion + Sedimentation Control Design
l Specifications
Stormwater, Stream + Wetland Design
l Watershed + Master Planning
l Stormwater System Inventory + Assessment
l Stormwater Infrastructure Repair + Replacement
l Storm Drainage System Design
l Riverine Flooding Analysis
l FEMA Floodplain Mapping
Geomatics
l ALTA/ACSM Land Title
l GPS Surveying
l Boundary Surveys
l Topographic Surveys
l Construction Staking
l As-builts
l Platting
l Aerial Photo Control
Construction Administration
l Value Engineering
l Public Utility Coordination
l Construction Cost Opinions + Estimating
Transportation
l Comprehensive Transportation Plans
l Collector Street Plans
l Pedestrian / Bicycle Planning + Design
l Small Area Plans
Urban
Planning
l Vision Plans
l Framework Plans
l Small Area Plans
l Downtown Plans
l Dam Design, Permitting + Inspection
l SCM Design + Retrofits
l Resiliency Planning + Nature Based Solutions
l Water Harvesting
l Green SW Infrastructure Design + Implementation
l RSC Design + Implementation
l UAS LiDAR
l UAS Photography
l Laser Scanning
l Tree Survey
l Recombinations
l Route Surveys
l Inventory Surveys
l Utility Mapping in AutoCAD Format
l Bidding Assistance
l Contracting Consultation
l Contract Administration
l Corridor Studies
l Feasibility Studies
l Traffic Impact Studies
l Parking Studies
l Waterfront Plans
l Parks + Recreation Plans
l Land Use Plans
l Design Services
l Design Guidelines + Development Patterns
l Regulatory Procedural Requirements Analysis
l Entitlements + Development Approvals
l Permitting + Regulatory Compliance
l Rezonings + Text Amendments
l Community Meetings + Public Hearing Assistance
l Detailed Construction Documents
l Tenant Specific Documentation
l Construction Permitting
l Builder / Tenant Coordination
l Stream Restoration + Stabilization
l Wetland Restoration
l Mitigation Bank Planning + Design
l Mitigation Planning / Monitoring
l Grant Application Support
l Stream Assessments
l Development of GIS + Data Management
l Quality Level A: Utility Locating, Nondestructive Vacuum Excavation or Potholing
l Quality Level B: Utility Designating
l Quality Level C: Visible Surface Features
l Quality Level D: Records Research
l Geotechnical Borehole Clearance
l Construction Observation
l Schedule Monitoring + Consultation
l SCM Annual Inspections
l Transit Planning + Design
l Roadway Planning + Design
l Streetscapes
l Off-site Roadway + Utility Improvements
l Streetscape Plans + Designs
l Placemaking
l Civic, Parks + Public Space
l Conceptual Plans + Designs
Candace Whisenant
LeBlanc
Jen Deal director, marketing Micka Dixon director, administrative services
Daniel Perry client experience manager
Maria Oviedo communications manager
Manager Team
Leadership Leadership Team
The Leadership Team consists of McAdams’ executive officers, including executive vice presidents, vice presidents and corporate officers.
The Leadership Team meets bi-weekly. Topics of discussion at these meetings primarily relate to directional and high-level operational matters as well as to consider policies or procedures that would enhance the firm’s performance or future trajectory.
The Manager Team consists of McAdams’ senior managers, including directors, group managers, supervisors and equivalent roles. The Manager Team members are the driving force behind who McAdams is today, and what we will become in the future.
The purpose of the Manager Team is to create a forum where the firm’s leaders can collaborate, learn together, grow together and make decisions together in a way that builds the ultimate unity and alignment throughout the firm.
The Manager Team meets every six weeks. Topics of discussion at the Manager meetings primarily relate to key strategic matters and key operational matters that need the attention of the firm’s full leadership body.
Training + Development
Training at McAdams is a complex endeavor. At the highest level, our programs work to address:
l Corporate Procedures + Behaviors: HR, Accounting, IT and Administrative Services Training
l Professional Skills: Technical Writing, Communication and Leadership Training
l Technical Skills: Universal Technical Standards, Industry and Discipline Training
McAdams’ corporate training, professional training, universal skills training and industry training programs are finite and meant to be offered “à la carte,” whereas our discipline training programs and practices often represent years of extensive and immersive technical learning experiences.
“Discipline” training, or training that focuses around the professional areas that our employees typically become licensed in (engineering, planning / design / entitlements and surveying), ensures that all employees have access to the same high-quality instruction across all service lines, sectors and metros.
Sub-discipline focus areas of technical training include the following:
l Engineering: Water Resources (Capital Infrastructure Projects, Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Stream Restoration, SCM Support and Water Modeling), Education, Healthcare, Energy, Residential, Commercial, National Brands, Construction Administration and Public Engineering
l Planning / Design / Entitlements: Planning, Landscape Architecture, Entitlements, Public Planning + Design
l Surveying: Subsurface Utility Engineering, Preliminary Surveying, Construction Staking, Emerging Technologies
Technical and professional training programs at McAdams are housed in the IT department and are led by McAdams’ chief technology officer and training program manager. Program development and implementation is supported by a combination of subject matter experts throughout the firm, external training resources and training software.
McAdams’ training offerings culminate over 20 programs that are individually tailored to the needs of various groups in the firm.
Decathalon
McAdams partners with Grinnell Leadership, a North Carolina-based team of leadership development experts, to host Grinnell’s Leadership Decathalon program. The program, occurring over a 10-month period through shared team experiences and cumulating in a “CEO Project,” is a “customized and time-proven approach to developing leadership talent, as well as significantly altering the level of collaboration throughout the organization for greater efficiency, strategic alignment and improved execution.”
Participants in the Decathalon program are currently in management or leadership roles in the firm. With class sizes of no more than 15 per year, participants are chosen based on potential for accelerated personal growth and benefit to the firm’s operations.
Destination McAdams
Destination McAdams is a 40-hour comprehensive training program intended to align McAdams staff around the unique way that McAdams manages projects and conducts business. The program is most appropriate for employees who are proficient in the technical areas of their roles and would benefit from a better understanding of the McAdams project process, either as a part of determining their interest in future leadership roles, or simply to increase their efficacy as a member of their project team.
The program is implemented over several days and is carried out through both direct “classroom” instruction and small group workshop sessions.
Destination McAdams is open to all McAdams team members. Preference may be given based on individual needs (for example, a member of a project team who is already, or will soon be, taking on a project management or technical management role).
Experience McAdams
Growing each individual employee into their greatest potential is how we create a collaborative atmosphere of experience creation. Culture starts with the right people.
McAdams DIGs aims to cultivate an environment of diversity and inclusion through education, awareness, support and open conversation. McAdams is committed to creating a compassionate space for ongoing conversations and focused education to develop an inclusive environment.
Diversity, Equity + Inclusion Trainings
l Training for all employees in partnership with a third-party consultant to bring a fresh perspective to our entire team.
Reporting Tools
l Reports are made available to all staff members to bring awareness to our progress and efforts.
l Anonymous reporting tool that allows employees to share sensitive workplace concerns.
Feedback + Progress Reports
l Annual company-wide diversity, equity and inclusion survey to stay in tune with the interests and needs of all team members.
Giving back through our McAdams SHARES initiative.
To us, giving back is much more than writing a check or an occasional volunteer effort. It’s a year-round commitment, which we formalized into a charitable outreach initiative – McAdams SHARES. This initiative’s sole purpose is to give back to those in need in the communities where we live and work.
The McAdams SHARES committee is made up of over 40 enthusiastic McAdams visionaries from throughout the organization who guide our philanthropic efforts for volunteerism and administer contributions of two percent of our annual earnings to local charitable organizations. As a company, we are determined to focus our efforts on housing, hunger, childhood education and environmental stewardship. We have high hopes to make a positive, meaningful impact for those in need.
Some organizations we've worked with
Deliberate Growth momentum of our process
l Top 150 nationally
l Equip + support business builders
l Healthy financial performance
l Through organic + acquisition
l Growth to achieve:
- Strong brand in six metros
- 60/40 private / public diversification
Differentiation the McAdams special sauce
l Purpose driven design
l Great story tellers (internally + externally)
l Client engagement drives excellence
l Collaboration across all sectors
l Serve the best clients + projects
r and
Growth People Systems
Create meaningful experiences through inspired design
Technology B
Talent Grows Here attract, develop + retain the best talent
l Welcoming to all
l Impactful onboarding
l Best intern program in the industry
l Training for every stage of career
l Create culture of succession planning
l Clear career ladders
l Standardized job titles
Leverage Technology best tools for the job
l Data-informed decision making
Foundation for Growth future focused systems
l System that captures + shares project intelligence
l Manage via project performance
l Quality program on ALL projects
l Create culture of safety
l Tools that make your job easier
l Fully capitalize on potential of software
l Engage clients in design through technology
l Universal standards
l Automate for efficiency
l Crowd-source innovation
McAdams of the Future
Geographic areas of focus for future expansion plans and growth strategy.
The Hub RTP project is a 100-acre mixed-use redevelopment project which will include restaurants, apartments, shopping, hotels and office uses. This project will create a centrally located high density development to reinvigorate the Research Triangle Park (RTP). McAdams developed the initial master plan for Park Center and then provided surveying, SUE, flood modeling, environmental impact permitting and civil design expertise for the infrastructure development. The project included a stream enhancement project as the centerpiece of the Hub RTP. The enhancement was to an existing linear rip rap ditch built in the 1960’s.
Wallace Wade Stadium Renovation
Wallace Wade Stadium was originally built and has been the home of Duke University Football since 1929. The overhaul of Wallace Wade Stadium included the lowering of the existing NCAA football field, removal of the track around the old football field, addition of field level ADA seating, construction of a new press tower, construction of a new concourse surrounding the stadium and construction of a new entry way on the east side of the stadium. Planning and design of these projects began in January of 2014 and construction was finalized prior to the 2017 football season.
The Streets at Southpoint
The Streets at Southpoint is a “hybrid mall”, combining a traditional enclosed mall with an outdoor pedestrian wing and receives over one million visitors per month. McAdams led the master planning, design and approval processes for this highly publicized, controversial project. The mall is home to many firsts for the area, including North Carolina’s first Nordstrom and Apple Store. We provided unparalleled consultation and coordination in the engineering, stormwater design, complex permitting and approval processes, as well as the entire construction process to assure a timely achievement of a certification of occupancy. This all paved the way for a fast-track project, which from concept to opening took less than five years to complete.
DURHAM, NC
DURHAM, NC
DURHAM, NC
Duke University, Water Harvesting Pond
McAdams was retained by Duke University to design a water reclamation pond to provide water for Chiller Plant #2 on Duke’s campus. The pond, which was completed in May 2015, provides over 100 million gallons of water per year for use at the plant, which is the largest single user of potable water in the City of Durham. Since completion of the project, the facility has been providing a significant volume of harvested stormwater to Duke’s Chiller Plant #2, reduced the amount of potable water used from the City of Durham’s system, provided stormwater pollutant runoff reduction, provided stormwater detention benefit and is serving as a campus-wide amenity for the University.
RALEIGH, NC
Inside Wade
Inside Wade is a community where families, couples, singles and active adults can live side-by-side to create an authentic neighborhood that is enriched by its architecture. This community is located within a stone’s-throw of I-40 and the belt line featuring sidewalks, parks and gathering space. Inside Wade is about a way of life with convenience and culture, only minutes away from entertainment venues, restaurants, museums, colleges and all the buzz that have made Raleigh a top place to live. This community was constructed in three phases and consists of public and private streets, alleys for garage access and trash collection, terraced grades to minimize earthwork costs, parking along tree lined streets and a clubhouse with a pool.
MOORESVILLE, NC
Liberty Park, Phase II Improvements
McAdams provided due diligence; site inventory and analysis; master planning; and preliminary design and layout services for Phase II of the Town of Mooresville’s Liberty Park. The park will have a plan for total renovation upon completion of this planning and preliminary design. Phase II focuses on a new restroom building; pavilion; park equipment; walkways; stream restoration and enhancement; new furnishings; parking; lighting; and landscaping. The park is situated adjacent to an urban stream that contains large boulders and waterfalls. Providing a safe access to and across this natural amenity will help to connect pedestrians to the historic war building and adjacent neighborhoods. In 2021, McAdams helped the Town obtain $500,000 in North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) for Phase II of Liberty Park.
CHAPEL HILL, NC
UNC, Chapel Hill, Kenan Stadium
The university wanted to give the outer portions of the field a face-lift by removing sections of the existing natural turf along with portions of the existing asphalt paths running along the base of the stadium seats to allow for construction of a synthetic turf area / collar around the existing football field. These renovations presented an opportunity to provide a dramatic face-lift and operational improvements to a UNC Chapel Hill landmark facility. Working within the demanding time frames of a major university schedule, McAdams provided design and construction administration expertise to transform all of the area at playing field level while safeguarding the carefully maintained football field turf.
Collin Creek Mall Redevelopment
A mostly vacant, 37-year-old shopping mall located on U.S. Highway 75 in Plano, Texas is now set to be redeveloped into a $1 billion mixeduse development. There will be a high-rise hotel, mid-rise offices, underground parking, mid-rise loft apartments with ground floor retail, senior living, and single-family housing. There will be over 15 acres of green space and paseos. The development will be bisected with an enhanced and highly activated continuation of the Plano’s Chisholm Trail. In addition, there will be a continuous multi-use trail around the entire project. The redevelopment agreement provides funding through bond sales, grants and other initiatives to pay for new infrastructure and elements of the huge redevelopment.
Fenton is a 92-acre regional mixed-use development located in Cary, North Carolina. The project will provide a vibrant, high-density, pedestrian- and transit-oriented development directly serving Cary and west Raleigh residents. As a high-profile development hosting office towers and a Wegman’s grocery, it will also attract visitors from across the greater Research Triangle Region. The project will include vertically mixed buildings with residential, office, hotel and retail focused on a pedestrian friendly main street. Integration with transit is a key measure of project success. The project is located within walking distance of a proposed stop on the future bus rapid transit line connecting Raleigh and Cary and will provide direct access to the local and regional transit systems.
PLANO, TX
CARY, NC Fenton
Rendering by: Bush Architects
RALEIGH, NC
North Hills
North Hills is Raleigh, North Carolina’s first true vertical mixeduse project. The urban, 31-acre re-use project, includes 565,300 square feet of retail, 124,000 square feet of office space, 297 luxury apartments, 50 upscale condominium units and a 150-room luxury hotel. The complex project called for design, demolition and reconstruction around the existing JC Penney store, which had to remain open during the entire course of the project. McAdams also provided innovative designs that minimized structured parking resulting in cost effective solutions for vertical mixed-use above parking decks. Before being redeveloped, the fully enclosed North Hills Mall, built in 1963, was the first of its kind between Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Today, it is recognized as an exemplary redevelopment project, visited by numerous developers looking to reproduce its success.
DURHAM, NC
New Campus Development, Phase I
Located within the Dorothea Dix Park property, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) was seeking a new location. The State selected a 34-acre site located in west Raleigh allowing the State to consolidate its various DHHS offices with over 4,000 employees into a single location. The design approach for the new campus is an urbanized setting with a focus on the user experience. The design takes advantage of the natural features on the site while providing significant development density within the property. The first phase of the project consists of an 11-story building totaling 440,000 square feet, as well as a 1,000-space parking deck and over 350 surface parking spaces. Site amenities within the first phase include outdoor plaza areas, walking trials and greenway connections.
South Charlotte’s newest mixed-use, pedestrian friendly community, Waverly, offers world class restaurants, retail, work places and homes all within walking distance. McAdams provided full-service consulting to bring this high-profile development to life. Working directly with the development partners, McAdams provided civil engineering and landscape architecture services while closely collaborating with the project architects. Whole Foods, the primary anchor, set the stage for a destination shopping experience and modern retail environment. Public plazas, “Main Street” styled retail core, parks and tree lined streets make the public realm inviting and authentic. McAdams acquired all necessary site permits and coordinated with multiple agencies working hard to satisfy officials while preserving the design integrity and vision for the development.
CHARLOTTE, NC Waverly
Rendering by: LS3P
FLOWER MOUND, TX River Walk at Central Park
The River Walk at Central Park in Flower Mound, Texas is a 150acre mixed-use development including residential, medical, hotel, commercial, restaurant and public components surrounding a nearly mile-long man-made water feature as a focal point. Our team’s civil engineering and landscaping services include public infrastructure design of paving, drainage, water and sewer to serve the entire development, as well as the design of the streetscapes, public access ways and linear landscape adjacent to the river. In addition, our team was selected to provide the civil and landscape designs for several of the individual sites in the River Walk, including the Texas Oncology Building, River Walk Medical Plaza, Marriott Hotel, River Walk Apartments, River Walk Villas and Parkmount Townhomes.
DURHAM, ORANGE + WAKE COUNTIES, NC
Triangle Bikeway Study, Feasibility Study
This 17-mile corridor paralleling I-40 crosses three counties, connecting Raleigh, Research Triangle Park, Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina. McAdams led the study, which included a standing working group of stakeholders; community outreach along the entire corridor; coordination with both CAMPO and DCHC MPO; and oneon-one coordination with key stakeholders. This project developed alternatives that included both improvements to existing bike lanes and sidewalks; and dedicated facilities on structures and at-grade. The final project included detailed cost estimates; video simulations; technical recommendations; and cost benefit analysis suitable for pursuing RAISE or other Federal grants. During the pandemic, the McAdams team reached over 2,000 citizens and connected with seven jurisdictions through a variety of virtual means, including a dynamic website.
NC
Duke Health, Center South Durham
McAdams provided entitlement, land planning, landscape architecture, surveying and engineering services of a +/-150,000-square foot medical office building and associated parking deck located on approximately eight acres just east of the intersection of NC 54 and Fayetteville Road in Durham, North Carolina. The design team carefully considered building placement and circulation to overcome site constraints, provide adequate parking and accessible routes and offer an entrance sequence that is welcoming for patients, staff and visitors alike. The patient experience was also considered through careful selection of hardscape materials and plant pallet to create an experience that is safe, inviting and calming.
DURHAM,
RALEIGH, NC
One Glenwood + Tower II at Bloc[83]
Located in downtown Raleigh, this project is designed as two mixeduse buildings with associated parking decks. Its location allows for the opportunity to visually and physically link the Glenwood South, Warehouse and Downtown districts of Raleigh. McAdams provided engineering services related to site development design and permitting as well as land planning services. The overall project name, Bloc[83], is a tribute to the collection of parcels that were originally designated by the same name in the 1800s. The development is designed to include premier retail and event space, creating a work-play environment that does not currently exist in the area. The courtyard between the buildings is slated to have a coffee shop, a concert stage and a turf lawn for yoga.
HIGH POINT,
NC
City Lake Park
The City of High Point commissioned McAdams to complete a park master plan for the renovation of their oldest and most popular park, City Lake Park. The park master plan focuses on site improvements including ADA compliant access to all amenities and facilities, additional parking, improved vehicular and pedestrian circulation, repurposing of outdated and underutilized spaces, expanded amenities and connections to nearby destinations such as the Piedmont Environmental Center. Architectural improvements were focused on restoring the gymnasium, updating building systems, renovating the locker rooms and adding event space and supporting facilities. Pool improvements included the addition of a stand-up water slide, splash pad, lap lanes, aquatics ninja course, expanded deck space and shade and a lazy river.
DURHAM, NC
BullHouse
The Durham BullHouse mixed-use project is a development that enhances the downtown Durham landscape along the Durham Freeway corridor. McAdams provided landscape architecture and engineering services for the 305-unit, low-rise apartment community and streetscape along Dillard and Pettigrew Streets in downtown Durham. Amenities include a gym-quality fitness center and yoga room, multiple social gathering spaces, resort-style pool with outdoor kitchen and a roof-top terrace with views overlooking the Durham Bulls Ballpark. The streetscape featured decorative paving, stepped retaining walls, decorative fencing and columns, an outdoor courtyard, enhanced planting areas and tree pits and with structural soil and root paths to achieve healthy tree growth and reduce maintenance.
CHARLOTTE, NC
Junction 1504 + Rail Trail Connection
Located near Uptown and South End neighborhoods, Junction 1504 is an 11-acre site with 250 units positioned within steps of the City of Charlotte’s abundant green spaces, light rail lines and major employment centers. The design included 1,500 linear feet of the Charlotte Rail Trail, which forms its eastern boundary. McAdams executed design for the inclusion of the greenway and worked closely with the City of Charlotte to achieve a seamless addition to the Charlotte Rail Trail. This section of trail includes decorative lighting, landscaped borders and ornamental fencing to create a buffer with the rail line for greenway users and residents.
TX
Trailwood
Trailwood is an innovative conservation type single-family residential development in the Town of Flower Mound, Texas In Phase I of the project, each of the 157 residential lots bordered a designed open space with natural and man-made trails throughout, and over 30% of the area preserved as native habitat. Trailwood featured extensive perimeter landscape and hardscaping along the TxDOT right-of-way, with elaborate entry pylons consisting of the Trailwood monument signage and a voluminous fountain and reflection pool at the main entry. A neighborhood amenity center was included with Phase I for the enjoyment of Trailwood residents.
SANFORD, NC
Lee County Multi-sports Park
This project, located near the heart of Sanford, North Carolina, is planned to be a regional athletic and community park. The park will feature multi-purpose natural and synthetic turf fields and several baseball diamonds. These athletic facilities will be accompanied by community park features, including picnic shelters, trails and play spaces. In collaboration with Lee County, our team is working through complex site challenges, including enhancing the existing natural features, solving challenges with site access and mitigating the impacts on existing utility infrastructure to develop plans for a park that will serve the Lee County citizens for generations to come.
The impaired stream on the Methodist University campus drains 227 acres of urban watershed toward the Cape Fear River. The 2,300-foot reach of impaired stream is currently degraded with incised channel and eroding streambanks due to headcutting following the failure of a downstream earthen dam embankment. Streambank erosion is currently estimated at approximately 1,000 tons per year based upon field assessment of streambank and hydraulic conditions. The landowner is committed to restoring the stream channel and floodplain ecosystem to a natural equilibrium condition with healthy riparian buffer to be protected by a permanent conservation easement. The restoration project will create natural habitat conditions in the restored stream system in addition to eliminating downstream sediment loading to the Cape Fear River.
CHARLOTTE, NC
Pearl Street Park
Located in the Dilworth district just south of uptown Charlotte, Pearl Street Park is known as the first African American public park built in the city. Today, the park finds itself surrounded by redevelopment projects, all catalyzed by the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. As redevelopment continues to encroach on the historic park, the McAdams team was commissioned to provide master planning services to re-activate the park. The master plan design will also consider infrastructure improvements such as portions of a new roadway extending Pearl Parkway. The park’s redesign includes reconfigured multipurpose fields, sports courts, urban plaza areas, a small comfort station / building, inclusive playground and walking paths.
Morgan-Windsor Alley
McAdams provided design services for the conversion of an existing through street and an adjacent alleyway (recently reconnected from the demolition of an existing building) into a lively pedestrian plaza space. The design included gateway entry signage; paver walkways; ornamental street trees; shade structures; an artificial turf lounge and play surface; internally-illuminated swings hung from a custom pergola structure; lighting; an interactive fountain feature; and custom artwork and murals with both daytime and nighttime dynamic attraction. The plaza can host food trucks and can be accessed by emergency vehicles when necessary. The resultant design will become a vibrant Downtown Monroe destination for residents and visitors, alike.
MONROE, NC
CHARLOTTE, NC
Belk Plaza Renovation
This key project dramatically impacts UNC Charlotte’s campus core. This central open space functions as an organizing element from the early beginnings of the university’s growth. It provides the necessary open space for students and activities as well as the needed space between the first campus buildings. The heart of the academic core was renovated and redefined to meet a number of key goals such as strengthening the pedestrian experience, creating a memorable central space for the campus and providing a sustainable design which tends to lower maintenance. McAdams provided landscape architecture, civil engineering and surveying for conceptual design, schematic design / design development, construction documents and construction phase services.
RALEIGH, NC
Downtown South
Downtown South is a 140-acre mixed-use project south of downtown Raleigh that could be anchored by a stadium and entertainment complex surrounded by 10-story towers and 12 million square feet of office space. McAdams is providing all civil engineering services for the master planning phase including extensive stormwater design and analysis. Stormwater for this project is multi-faceted including stringent peak flow and water quality analysis that exceed typical regulation requirements for the City of Raleigh and the Neuse River Basin. Hydraulic analysis of the FEMA floodplain and floodway along Walnut Creek are also significant components of the project. To ensure the integrity of environmental systems, McAdams will also be tasked with analyzing and mitigating impacts to streams and wetlands.
This project is a vertical, mixed-use development in Charlotte’s highly-coveted South End neighborhood. The project successfully incorporates residential, commercial retail, office, restaurant and resident amenity uses in a relatively small project site. The project is using the industrial historic mill vernacular of the area to create a modern building and site design with a significant, spa-like resident amenity. Steel, concrete, glass, wood and brick all come together to create a warm and inviting, yet rich in feel outdoor environment.
CHARLOTTE, NC
Hub South End
FLOWER MOUND, TX
Furst Ranch
Furst Ranch is a one-of-a-kind development, authentically inspired by nature. Over 2,000 acres of gently rolling hills, pastures and creeks filled with stands of native trees. Through biophilic design and 30% open spaces, Furst Ranch will ensure natural beauty is integrated throughout. Furst Ranch encompasses approximately 2,000 acres ideally located in southern Denton County, the ranch now stretches across multiple jurisdictions, including the Town of Flower Mound, the Town of Bartonville and the extraterritorial jurisdictions of Bartonville and Argyle. Denton county is one of the fastest growing counties in Texas and with this northward growth, the center of the metroplex is shifting north. Furst Ranch is forecasted to be located in the center of this growing metroplex.
AWARD-WINNING
RALEIGH, NC
East Raleigh Transit Center
McAdams is leading a multidisciplinary team tasked with developing a conceptual design for a new GoRaleigh transit center and final design for a park and ride lot near the intersection of New Bern Avenue and New Hope Road. Construction of the park and ride lot is planned to be completed in conjunction with the opening of the City’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor and will serve riders of the BRT line. The park and ride lot is planned to contain over 100 parking spaces and will include vehicle charging infrastructure; security cameras; lighting; a kiss-and-ride shelter; and a pedestrian connection to the adjacent BRT station. The future transit facility is planned to consist of six covered bus bays, a driver amenity building, accommodations for micromobility (scooters and bikeshare) and green stormwater infrastructure (GSI).
Cedar St. Green Stormwater Implementation
Beaufort’s Cedar Street was in need of stormwater and roadside enhancements. With Beaufort’s coastal setting, improving water quality in Town Creek is always a priority, and with new businesses looking to energize the Cedar Street corridor, this was the right setting to improve the streetscape by adding in some nature. Our green stormwater infrastructure experts designed the improvements that will help the Town capture stormwater runoff from adjacent properties and streets, thereby reducing the amount of polluted stormwater runoff flowing into the surrounding estuaries. These stormwater and streetscape enhancements provide economic development opportunities for the historic Town of Beaufort. This project won Water and Environmental Project of the Year award in 2023.
