The City of Duluth and UnitedHealth Group entered into a partnership to place a 150,000 square foot call center in the city to stimulate economic development. Duke Weeks was the developer selected by UnitedHealth Group to deliver the project on a fast-track time line.

The site selected did not have municipal services or safe access to Rice Lake Road. The site also had steep grades, shallow bedrock, rock outcropping, marginal soils and wetlands at the base of the steep hills. The site challenged JPJ Engineering to create a plan which placed a building with an 800 car parking lot that balanced earthwork, met ADA grades, presented a marquee entry and maintained the construction time line.

JPJ Engineering worked closely with contractors and the architect to design the infrastructure to minimize the blasting of rock and wetland impact. The plan met all requirements for storm water rate control, water quality standards and included a wetland complex which doubled as a retention basin. The parking lot conformed to bedrock conditions. JPJ Engineering also worked with the City of Duluth on the extension of the trunk utilities to the site and the transportation improvements for the Rice Lake Road entry. The on-time project was a great example of a public/private partnership where we served both clients to facilitate a seamless solution.

Uniprise | A UnitedHealth Group Company

Duluth, MN

PROJECT EXPERIENCE

The City of Duluth and UnitedHealth Group entered into a partnership to place a 150,000-square-foot call center in the city to stimulate economic development.

The site selected did not have municipal services or safe access to Rice Lake Road. The site also had steep grades, shallow bedrock, rock outcropping, marginal soils, and wetlands at the base of the steep hills. The site challenged JPJ Engineering to create a plan which placed a building with an 800-car parking lot that balanced earthwork, met ADA grades, presented a marquee entry, and maintained the construction timeline.

JPJ Engineering worked closely with contractors and the architect to design infrastructure to minimize the blasting of rock and wetland impact. The plan met all requirements for stormwater rate control and water quality standards and included a wetland complex that doubled as a retention basin.

JPJ Engineering also worked with the City of Duluth on the extension of the trunk utilities to the site and the transportation improvements for the Rice Lake Road entry.