Why should you hire BIG RED DOG for your next project? Our principals have worked with the region’s leading land developers on some of their most prominent and challenging projects. Since launching BIG RED DOG we have earned a reputation for creative engineering design and permit services.

Representative Projects

South Lamar Plaza, a Vertical Mixed Use Project – 1000 South Lamar Blvd, Austin Texas

This exciting project proposes the redevelopment of the existing South Lamar Plaza shopping center into a 9-acre vertical mixed use project located in the heart of South Austin. The project includes ±440 apartment units and ±100,000-SF of retail, restaurant, and theater space designed by our friends at Michael Hsu Office of Architecture and BOKA Powell. This project is the first in Austin to fully realize the goals and ambitions of the Subchapter E zoning ordinance intended to encourage dense urban infill development. The engineering requirements included obtaining alternative compliance from Subchapter E zoning regulations in order to accommodate the world famous Alamo Drafthouse theatre, significant utility improvements, and design and permitting of innovative rain gardens for water quality controls. South Lamar Plaza is being developed by Greystar Real Estate Partners in partnership with Stream Realty. The project is expected to break ground in the Fall of 2012.

The Genesee, a Vertical Mixed Use Project – 3715 S. First Street, Austin Texas

The Genesee is a 336-unit, 5,000-SF retail vertical mixed use project located in the urban core of Austin designed by Meeks + Partners. As the design engineer, BIG RED DOG’s scope of services included significant off-site drainage analysis, design and permitting of nearly 1,000-LF of new left turn lanes on South First Street, obtaining alternative compliance from zoning regulations, a Zoning Board of Adjustment variance, relocation of two 50+ inch live oak heritage trees, and off site utility improvements. A Unified Development Agreement (UDA) was also required. Currently under construction, this Greystar Real Estate Partners project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2012.

Lakeshore Apartments – 2300 Elmont Drive, Austin Texas

Developed by Cypress Real Estate Advisors and designed by Steinberg Design Collaborative, the Lakeshore Apartments project located on the South Shore of Austin’s Lady Bird Lake, includes 230 residential units and associated amenities. As the civil engineer for the Lakeshore project, BIG RED DOG was responsible for site development permitting and engineering design, including preparation of site, grading and drainage, and utility plans for this urban infill project.

Austin Playhouse – Mueller Neighborhood, Austin Texas

BIG RED DOG is proud to be the civil engineer for the new home for the Austin Playhouse at Mueller Austin. The new playhouse will be one of the first projects to break ground in the ‘Town Center’ part of the Mueller development. Designed by our great friends at Dick Clark Architecture, the modern design of the building and theater serve to represent the next chapter in the life of the Austin Playhouse. BIG RED DOG was selected as the Civil Engineer because of our Principal’s past experience with multiple other civil projects at Mueller Austin, including Lake Park, the Northwest and Southwest Greenway Parks, and the Welcome Center, among others.

Vantage Apartment Communities, Multiple Projects in Buda, Kyle, San Marcos, Schertz, New Braunfels, and San Antonio

Vantage Communities have developed numerous projects throughout Texas to provide workforce housing in growing areas of the State. Each community ranges in size from 280 to 300 unit complexes with an amenity center, pool, and resident facilities such as gym and dog parks. B&A Architects from San Antonio, Texas have provided the custom designs at each campus that blend with the surrounding architecture. Civil engineering services range from site, utility, and drainage design, to platting, zoning, and construction coordination. The BIG RED DOG principals have completed nine Vantage communities and we’re currently working on two new campuses in the San Antonio area are anticipated to break ground in early 2012.

P. Terry’s #4 – 204 W. Ben White Boulevard, Austin Texas

The P. Terry’s #4 project is a classic burger stand which was designed by Michael Hsu’s Office of Architecture and is located near the intersection of South Congress Avenue and Ben White Boulevard in the City of Austin. BIG RED DOG was responsible for the preliminary feasibility study as well as the design of site grading & drainage and utility plan. Additionally, BIG RED DOG led the review and permitting phase of the project to coordinate with City of Austin staff to obtain a site development permit in just under 4 months.

P. Terry’s #5 – 3311 RM620, Lakeway Texas

Following the success of their fourth burger stand on Ben White, P. Terry’s #5 is yet another classic burger stand designed by Michael Hsu’s Office of Architecture. Located on RM620 near Aria Drive in the City of Lakeway, this store represents the first outside of Austin for owners Patrick and Kathy Terry and their team. BIG RED DOG was responsible for the preliminary feasibility study as well as the design of site grading & drainage and utility plan. Additionally, BIG RED DOG led the review and permitting phase of the project to coordinate with City of Lakeway staff to obtain a site development permit in just under 3 months.

West Campus Multi-Family – 2608 Salado Street, Austin Texas

2608 Salado is a 7-unit, 24,000 square foot apartment building located in the heart of the West Campus District of the University of Texas. BIG RED DOG collaborated with the team at Rhode Partners on this project to locate this 5-story building on a 6,000 square-foot lot. In addition to the grading & drainage and utility design, BRD was responsible for coordinating a joint use access easement and well as a License Agreement associated with the project. BIG RED DOG successfully negotiated and processed the License Agreement in just under two months and secured the site development permit in 4 months. The project was built by JE DUNN Construction.

Champion Honda, South Padre Island Drive at Daly Drive, Corpus Christi Texas

The Champion Honda dealership is BIG RED DOG’s first project in Corpus Christi, Texas and is a continuation of our relationship with AutoNation. We worked with the great architectural team at Multatech, who were once again instrumental in delivering a great project design that lead to an extremely smooth permitting process. This dealership is the first permitted project of six planned on ±30 acres of undeveloped acreage along South Padre Island Drive, and added ±31,390SF of sales space and over 880 spaces for retail sales for the Honda dealership. Since Champion Honda’s approval in March 2011, the remaining undeveloped acreage on the site has been permitted for the construction of a collision center and an expansion/remodel of the existing Champion Toyota dealership.

The Container Bar, 90 Rainey Street, Austin Texas

The Container Bar was designed to be a no-impact development by developer Bridget Dunlap’s design team, which included BIG RED DOG, Hendley-Knowles Design Studio, and artists from Austin-based Troublemaker Studios. The project is located in the Historic Rainey Street sub-district of the downtown Central Business District and is the first of its kind in Texas. Utilizing recycled shipping containers for building structures is a worldwide design trend and fits in well with Austin and the character of the Rainey Street entertainment district. All of the construction materials for the project were from renewable or recycled sources.

Champion Toyota – 12227 Gulf Freeway, Houston Texas

The Champion Toyota dealership in Houston is BIG RED DOG’s third project with AutoNation. We again worked with our friends at Multatech Architects and Engineers in the site and building design process. BIG RED DOG was responsible for the civil engineering design and site development permitting for this project, which was completed in the fall of 2011. The general contractor for the project was Florida-based Hodgen Construction.

Mercedes Benz Greenway – 3900 Southwest Freeway, Houston Texas

The Mercedes Benz Greenway dealership in Houston is BIG RED DOG’s fifth project with AutoNation. We again worked with automotive architects YSM Design in the site and building design process. BIG RED DOG was responsible for the civil engineering design and site development permitting for this project, which was completed in the fall of 2011. The general contractor for the project was Florida-based Hodgen Construction.

Four Points Centre, River Place Boulevard at Four Points Drive, Austin Texas

Owned and developed by Thomas Properties Group, Four Points Centre is a 330-acre mixed-use Planned Unit Development located in the heart of Austin’s northwest submarket near FM222 and RM620. BIG RED DOG has been the civil engineer for several site plans on individual parcels within the PUD in addition to assisting the development team with planning for the balance of the property. The development already includes large retail stores, office buildings, and other complementary commercial uses. Upon completion, additional office, hotel, and residential uses are anticipated.

The District at SoCo – 501 East Oltorf Street, Austin Texas

This 215-unit apartment project developed by Kaplan Acquisitions presented many site development challenges as a result of its program density and site topography. As the project’s civil engineering consultant, BIG RED DOG designed an innovative sub-grade water quality and detention system which was located under the development’s fire lane drive aisle. Multiple variances were granted through Zoning and Planning Commission, City Council, and administratively in order to develop the property based on the client’s requests. Additionally, a public 12-inch waterline was required through the Austin Water Utility’s Service Extension Request (SER) program. The project was designed by Houston-based Clerkly Watkins Group.

The District at Greenbriar – 4100 Greenbriar Drive, Houston, Texas

The District at Greenbriar is a 319-unit apartment project which is being developed by Kaplan Acquisitions. This redevelopment project is located within the trendy West University District in Houston, Texas and has been designed by Houston-based The Clerkly Watkins Group. The large footprint of the building along with the traffic complications related to project density made this site unique from an engineering and permitting perspective. BIG RED DOG is the civil engineer for the project and our responsibilities included civil site design and permitting of the project through the City of Houston and the Harris County Flood Control district.

Mueller Lake Park Pond – Mueller Boulevard at Mueller Central Drive, Austin, Texas

The Lake Park Pond was designed to serve the Robert Mueller Airport Redevelopment (RMMA) in Austin, Texas as both a water quality/detention facility for the site and to provide a place for the RMMA residents to relax. Due to its many site features, including an amphitheater, a pond overlook, and a visitor’s center that was rehabilitated from an existing building, the design and permitting for the Lake Park Pond required close coordination with multiple consultants. This coordination included the design for the park surrounding the pond, the incorporation of a ConSpan bridge structure over a portion of the pond, the inclusion of 1,200 LF of hard edge walls designed by a structural sub consultant, and the coordination of the placement of the clay pond liner to ensure the pond is water tight and does not leak. In addition to the consultant coordination on this project, extensive coordination was also required with TxDOT to obtain approval to drain the pond through TxDOT ROW as well as with the City of Austin to review a multi-basin flood study proving the benefit of this pond installation. (Project completed while with previous employer)

Mueller Southwest Greenway Pond – Manor Road at Anchor Lane, Austin, Texas

The Southwest Greenway Pond was the second pond designed to serve the Robert Mueller Airport Redevelopment (RMMA) in Austin, Texas. Like Lake Park Pond, this pond also serves as both a water quality/detention facility for the site and a park for the RMMA residents. The pond was designed on multiple elevations and uses a pump to cycle water to the upper levels to maintain the water level in the pond during periods of low rainfall. A large amount of coordination between the consultants on the project was required for the park design, maintaining the integrity of the pond and the pond liner and the hydraulics to maintain the pond elevation. (Project completed while with previous employer)

Air Force Village, 4917 Ravenswood Drive, San Antonio Texas

Air Force Village is located on over 600-acres in San Antonio Texas. This mixed use retirement center designed for retired military officers and their families includes retail space, multiple apartment buildings, condominiums, a healthcare center, and an assisted living center. The principals of BIG RED DOG coordinated many of the efforts between the owner, design architects, contractors and other engineering disciplines throughout the project. Civil engineering responsibilities included design and coordination of all of the required civil infrastructure improvements including roadway, drainage, utility, landscape, and irrigation improvements. Permit approvals from multiple agencies including FEMA, Bexar County, City of San Antonio, CPS Energy, SAWS and TXDOT were obtained. (Project completed while with previous employer.)

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