Zelda Place Shopping Center, Montgomery, Alabama

This project involved redevelopment of an existing shopping center on approximately 12 acres. Much of the existing center was demolished to allow for a new Publix, Starbucks, CVS, and other shops, totaling more that 85,000 square feet. Approximately 10,000 square feet of the existing shops were renovated.

Columbia Engineering was retained by the Client early in the development process. This project was particularly challenging, requiring diligence in solving numerous development issues and close coordination with many tenants, consultants, contractors, attorneys, homeowners, brokers, and jurisdictional officials. We were able to make use of the three different on-site zoning classifications and provide a plan acceptable to the adjacent residential neighborhood and avoid a highly sensitive rezoning of the entire center.

Numerous easements and utilities existed on-site and required painstaking attention to detail to ensure that the proper easements / utilities were relocated, abandoned, or retained. Columbia was able to save the Client considerable money through relocation of an existing concrete stormwater channel which was originally proposed to be placed underground in a double 12’x12’ box culvert for the entire length of the project. Columbia also coordinated relocation of an existing 18’ sanitary sewer main, which had to remain in service with no interruptions. We facilitated the relocation of a high transmission power line and substation distribution line. Other challenging issues included poor soils, traffic issues, substation access, avoidance of an existing cell tower on site, and utility upgrades, all of which were resolved successfully with our assistance. Grading was extremely tight on the project and required smart design to limit haul off and meet tenant and visibility requirements.

From initial feasibility study through completion of construction we were pleased to contribute to the success of this project.