Wal-mart Supercenter Expansion


In 2003, Wal-mart decided to enlarge the size of their existing building by expanding to the north. However, the existing facility was bounded by a steep hillside, valley, and intermittent blue line stream to the north, a steep hillside and street to the east, Alexandria Pike to the west and the existing Alexandria Village Green Shopping Center to the south. Hence, the only place to expand was to the north, which required a massive reinforced earthen fill operation (approximately 850,000 cubic yards), in order to create additional area for the building addition and parking lot expansion. In addition, the proposed expansion presented several challenges that needed to be solved in order for it to be successful. Some of these were as follows:

  • Reworked an existing detention basin and creation of a new detention basin. As engineering consultant to the Campbell County Fiscal Court over the past several years, we were keenly aware of complaints from residents downstream of the increased storm water since the Wal-mart/Alexandria Village Green shopping center was constructed in the early 1990’s. Hence, we determined that it was necessary to redesign the existing northwest detention basin and outlet structure and create a new detention basin to the east of the existing Wal-mart building in order to delay the release of the storm water from the Wal-mart/Alexandria Village Green shopping center project. Cardinal prepared a comprehensive study that included onsite and offsite watershed areas. For the drainage analysis, the 119-acre watershed was broken down into 6 pre-development and 8 post-development drainage areas and was analyzed for existing and proposed conditions using the SCS methodology
  • Relocated an existing 8-inch public sewer located in the valley to be filled. Approximately 1,450 feet of the existing sewer needed to be relocated further to north so that the depth of the sewers was such that they could be properly maintained.
  • Relocated an existing 8-inch public sewer located in the valley to be filled. Approximately 1,450 feet of the existing sewer needed to be relocated further to north so that the depth of the sewers was such that they could be properly maintained.
  • Reworked an existing intermittent blue-line stream. Because approximately 950 feet of the stream was located where earthen fill was to be placed, a piping system was designed to transport the water. This required approval from the Army Corp of Engineers.