Elk Ridge Center – Commercial Retail Development

The Challenge

Elk Ridge Center is a 100,000 square foot retail development along Highway 169, one of Minnesota’s busiest commercial corridors. The project required full-site civil design for a phased retail center, including multiple outlot pads and junior box or medical building sites. The layout needed to maintain strong highway visibility, efficient access, and a stormwater system that fit within the project boundaries.

Civil Engineering Contributions

• Complete Site Design and Layout: Provided grading, drainage, access, and parking design for the main center and future outlots. The layout preserved highway visibility and supported smooth traffic flow throughout the site.

• Utility Infrastructure Planning: Designed water, sanitary, and storm utility systems to serve the grocery anchor and additional buildings. Utility services were stubbed to each outlot to accommodate future build-to-suit tenants.

• Independent Stormwater Management System: Designed an on-site stormwater management system that met all local and state requirements. Detention and treatment facilities were fully contained on site, eliminating the need for a shared or regional system.

• Access and Circulation Coordination: Developed access points at 197th Avenue and internal drives to accommodate both customer and delivery vehicle traffic. Designs were reviewed with the city to ensure safety and compliance with commercial access standards.

• Outlot Flexibility: Grading and utility infrastructure were prepared to support rapid development of outlot buildings without requiring redesign or additional permitting.

The Outcome

• Functional Retail Center: The civil design supported efficient circulation, stormwater compliance, and phased development for a large retail site.

• Flexible Development Strategy: Infrastructure planning enabled the client to lease or build additional pads quickly as new tenants were secured.

• Code-Compliant Stormwater System: The on-site design managed runoff effectively and fit seamlessly within the development footprint.