PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Originally in 2004, The Firestore approached D. L. Howell & Associates (DLH) to assist them in relocating and expanding their facilities, then located in Downingtown to the Morris Farm Subdivision located on Business Route 30 in Sadsbury Township, just west of the Chester County Airport. That project consisted of a 33,575 S.F. showroom, office and warehouse with 93 parking spaces and underground stormwater management. Since that time the Firestore has grown to become the largest supplier of police, firefighter and first responder high quality goods and services. In 2008, they acquired additional ground for a total of 12.5 acres, and in 2009 approached D.L. Howell again to assist them in yet another expansion. This new project consisted of a 26,966 S.F. warehouse addition that would allow them to process mail orders and ship them more efficiently. This also included a new loading area, drive-in loading, 33 parking spaces, underground stormwater management, and construction of a new cul-de-sac street being Patriot Way.

Several challenges arose during the design and approval process for the project. The first was to obtain Land Development approval through Sadsbury Township. D.L. Howell worked with the Township and their Consultants to meet the newly adopted Ordinance requirements, especially landscaping. D.L. Howell and Orsatti Associates (Landscape Architects) developed the site to provide landscape berms and buffers within and around the perimeter to screen the adjoining residents and soften views onto the property. D.L. Howell also worked with the Township and CCCD to provide a stormwater management design that met the PA Department of Environmental Protection's requirements to obtain a NPDES permit.  D. L. Howell was able to design a large shallow underground pipe storage facility with infiltration within the front parking lot area. This was also supplemented by a vegetated BMP swale along the western portion of the site, both met all pertinent State and local regulations.

Due to the height of the warehouse relateive to the approach of the existing airport runway D. L. Howell also had to file an application with the FAA for an obstruction to airspace.  In conjunction with the application, Howell Kline Surveying was required to field verify and certify the height of all building corners and roof top equipment that extended into the airspace, both were approved by the FAA.

D.L. Howell worked closely throughout the project with the General Contractor, D. Howe & Sons, and the owner, Jim Witmer, to provide engineering oversight and monitoring of the construction activities while paying close attention to detail.  The end result is a completed project that the owner is pleased with and compliments his corporate headquarters.

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