Structura served as the structural engineer of record for Fort Totten Square, a transformative transit-oriented development located just four blocks from the Fort Totten Metro Station in Northeast Washington, DC. This four-story mixed-use project includes 340 apartments, 130,000 SF of retail space anchored by a Wal-Mart, and 740 parking spaces, both underground and above ground. The development revitalized a suburban area into an urban hub with new residential options and retail, enhancing accessibility to public transportation.

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Structura’s engineering expertise was crucial in addressing several challenges during construction. The loading dock for the Wal-Mart, located beneath the residential parking garage and arrival court, required column-free spaces to accommodate large truck maneuvers. However, the floors above the dock needed columns for structural integrity. To resolve this, Structura designed a system of post-tensioned, long-span transfer girders in the parking garage, allowing for necessary column locations above the loading dock. Coordination with the architect, MEP engineers, and traffic consultants was key to the successful integration of these elements.

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In addition, the site’s high groundwater levels presented significant challenges for the slab on grade, leading to the need for soil improvements through geopiers and geogrid solutions. Issues with nearby historic utility lines prevented geopier installation in certain areas, requiring adjustments to the foundation design. Structura responded by increasing the foundation size for perimeter basement walls to account for the utility constraints.

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Fort Totten Square stands as a successful example of mixed-use development, with Structura’s innovative solutions and collaborative approach ensuring the project’s success despite numerous complexities.