St. Joseph Dam is a critical structure for the community, as it is a part of the water supply for nearly a quarter of a million residents in Allen County and Fort Wayne, the second largest city in the state. Featured on the National Register of Historic Places, the dam is a landmark in its setting at Johnny Appleseed Park, the site of an annual festival that attracts visitors from around the country. The rehabilitation of this important structure allows it to continue serving the public, supporting the economic development in Allen County, and serving as an aesthetically pleasing landmark in its community setting.

Project complexities included limited funding, accessibility challenges, and working with minimal existing structural information for this historic structure. The project team took several approaches to deliver an economical and effective solution, such as creating a multi-phased, prioritized approach to repair recommendations. The inspection came in under budget, allowing the team to design and detail the first phase within the original contract fee. This “shovel ready” status helped the City in its quest for a grant, and the project went into fast-track design. Economical design solutions allowed for additional security and aesthetic improvements for this important community structure.

Date | 2012