Ehrhart Griffin & Associates provided the civil engineering services for the $16.3 million Pine Elementary School project located at 10th & Pine Streets in Omaha. The project included the renovation of the existing Grace University building with the construction of 3 building additions to make the school nearly 113,000 square feet.
The project team was led by Jackson-Jackson & Associates. Pine Elementary boasts a collegiate-sized gym from the former Grace University, as well as indoor and outdoor classrooms that use the latest modern technology. The new school has provided much needed overcrowding relief for nearby schools. The design team also worked with the community to ensure that the new school would match the aesthetic of the area. One important goal of the community that was reflected in the design plans was the preservation of the mature trees and landscape on the west portion of the site.
Ehrhart Griffin & Associates oversaw the civil design of the project. Along with the 113,000 square foot building, the project included a parking lot totaling 63 stalls, an outdoor classroom, trash enclosure and equipment dock area, multiple outdoor playground areas, and car parking and bus drop off zones along 8th, 10th, and Worthington Streets.
Site grading and ADA accessibility were crucial components of this project. There is a 34-foot drop across the 3.42 acre site, which allowed for the school to have exits onto grade from 3 levels. The design of staircases, ramps, and walkways were necessary for the multiple entrances into the building. Due to the steep slope along Pine Street, an ADA accessible ramp was designed and installed going from the parking stalls along 8th Street to the front entrance of the school.
Site design elements included demolition, layout, grading, utility services, stormwater conveyance, water quality treatment (PCSMP) meeting City ordinance, sanitary sewer system impact analysis, fire department accessibility, and ADA accessibility. This project also included City of Omaha Public Improvement components to design the streetscape and crosswalk on 10th Street.
