225: Marianna Dollar General

We transformed contaminated land into a community asset at State Road 71 and US-90 intersection in Marianna, Florida. Previously, an empty lot held tainted soil and groundwater. Our team reformed the land into a place that empowers the community and provides long-term economic opportunities. Before we upgraded the site, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) required an impermeable cap. It designated part of the property as “restricted property” to fix the pollution. The cap worked like the one on a water bottle, limiting future health dangers. The “Restricted Property” designation meant we couldn’t put ponds there to manage water overflow. These environmental requirements heavily limited construction within the site.

We added a Dollar General the size of a little less than two and a half tennis courts. Due to its small environmental impact, we formed the structure’s framework with concrete masonry. The store featured 27 parking spaces and two accessible spaces, welcoming guests needing easier access to the building. We added a loading area for trucks and garbage disposal to help with store operations. Finally, we designed a circular flow around the building to organize traffic. The store became a place for an array of people to purchase everyday items. We eliminated the plot’s health concerns and now the community is better than ever.