Wright-Pierce’s calendar series showcases the projects featured in our yearly calendar. This month we highlight the Administration Building Assessment and Design for the York Sewer District in Maine.
Project Background
Originally constructed in the 1990s, the administration building for the York Sewer District (District) no longer met the needs of its staff nearly 30 years later. As a result, the District hired Wright-Pierce to assess the existing building and provide recommendations to either update or replace the structure.
Project Team Services
Wright-Pierce, led by Project Manager Mike Stein, met with District staff to better understand the goals and needs of both the building and those working in it. We determined what areas of the building were available for development and created three conceptual floor plans in response. We then evaluated each alternative for compliance with ordinances, codes, cost, and ability to meet the goals set by the District.
The plans included considerations for parking, security, circulation, and restrictions on the setbacks and wetlands. The alternative layouts addressed the reuse of the existing building in addition to two new layouts highlighting the space needs requirements. We prepared a report that included the concept plans, cost estimates, pros and cons of each alternative, and recommendations for moving toward a design phase.
The District selected the alternative that included the demolition of the existing 2,000-square-foot single-story wood-frame building, replacing it with a 5,000-square-foot single-story building in the same location. A temporary office space was arranged in the District’s training room in another building within the plant to meet administrative needs during construction.
About The Photo
Senior Discipline Design Specialist Jeff Blackman captured the photo of the completed administration building. When asked about the importance of updating the building, Jeff said, “The York Sewer District’s administration building was designed to provide staff with a comfortable, efficient, and well-organized space to work. The building also serves as a space for staff to interact with the public. This photo represents the approach the public would have upon arrival to the site and shows the aesthetically pleasing façade and environmentally friendly features of the building.”
Project Impact
The completed building provides the sewer district’s administration staff with a modern, energy-efficient building designed to meet the current and future needs of the staff and the public. The design included an efficient work and meeting space, and the building was brought in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The finished building is equipped with solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. These site modifications, as well as elevating the building, provided needed protection from coastal flooding impacts.
Contact us if you’d like a copy of Wright-Pierce’s 2026 wall calendar or to learn more about the project and how we can provide similar services to your community.