Innovative Site Solutions for a Design-build Development

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) presents an emerging opportunity for innovation in the construction industry, providing a sustainable material that allows construction of buildings much taller than with conventional wood framing. CLT’s use of small-diameter trees creates a market for products resulting from forest thinning that is needed to reduce wildfires and improve ecosystem health while breathing new life into the timber industry.

Katerra is a rapidly growing startup company focused on innovation of the construction industry. Katerra is building a CLT plant in Washington State’s Spokane Valley, creating jobs and bringing economic growth to the area. The company committed to constructing this facility under a tight timeline to meet delivery demands, while blending environmentally conscious features such as green stormwater infrastructure and energy efficiency into the campus design.

When Katerra set out to build its state-of-the-art, 250,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in eastern Washington, MFA provided consultation from planning to construction oversight and compliance under an aggressive timeline of just two years.

MFA provided planning, environmental, and civil engineering services to support Katerra’s construction of the Spokane Valley facility, which broke ground in December 2017. MFA’s involvement with the Katerra development began with assisting Katerra in evaluation of alternative sites for the facility, including extensive due diligence related to environmental conditions. MFA prepared State Environmental Policy Act review documentation and led the permitting effort for the facility.

MFA has assisted Katerra throughout the construction process: identifying site alternatives, performing due diligence, land use permitting, and air emission permitting. MFA was able to solve site challenges efficiently by providing a range of consulting services from groundwater and stormwater to air emissions and process management.

MFA developed innovative strategies to address site challenges while meeting the factory’s construction requirements and worked alongside Katerra’s in-house team members to construct the design-build facility. As part of a multidisciplinary design team, MFA prepared the site plan and landscape architecture that will enable the facility to optimize operations while also implementing environmentally sustainable practices. The site required significant capital improvements, including water, sewer, gas, and roads that turned the vacant farmland into a hub of innovation for Katerra.