New DPW Facility – Arlington, MA

Weston & Sampson was commissioned to undertake a comprehensive existing conditions assessment of the town yard, and to develop a strategic plan for repairs, upgrades, modifications and additions to address deferred maintenance issues, and support more efficient department operations.

The current site of the Arlington Department of Public Works (DPW) at 51 Grove Street is a complex of several brick and concrete structures that represent an important period in Arlington’s industrial history. Historically, the site is known as the Grove Street Town Yard and has been listed under that name on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) since 1985. Listed primarily for its historical significance as one of the few surviving examples of the Town of Arlington’s industrial history, it can be argued that its current use as the site of Arlington’s DPW continues the industrial legacy of the site. The existing 1914 brick Romanesque buildings were used in the production of natural gas, an activity responsible for many of the site’s current environmental conditions. The site was turned over to the town in 1975 for use as the DPW headquarters.

Subsequent to completion of the Conditions Study, Weston & Sampson prepared a comprehensive Fleet Management Evaluation Report, which consisted of a detailed review of how the DPW Motor Equipment Repair Shop executed its responsibilities relative to the department’s 112 units of rolling stock and equipment, and how its operations compared to current industry standards. This investigation generated more than 60 specific recommendations for standards/procedures that should be implemented to allow the shop to operate with greater effectiveness and efficiency, and to provide a far greater degree of protection for the town’s multi-million dollar fleet.

The design team advanced the initial concepts to a schematic design level. Based on the complexities of the project, including the historic designation, historic contamination on site, multiple end users, utility easements through the site, a brook running through the center of the site, and budgetary limitations set by the town, the town and the design team opted to advance the project under the Construction Management at Risk delivery method, allowing the entire team to develop cost-effective solutions for a complicated site while meeting the operational needs of the DPW.

During construction, Weston & Sampson provided inspections and construction administration services.

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