Kimley-Horn has been working as the lead consultant to numerous development and municipal clients for more than...
Strategic Partnership
Collaborated with Clark Nexsen, MSA Consulting, and other project consultants to develop strategic solutions and resolve critical planning and construction challenges
Conscientious Permitting
Worked diligently with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to ensure the site permitting was completed throughout project iterations
Expanded Functionality
Provided services that, when completed, will increase McAllister Towing’s berthing capacity by several vessels and enhance the center’s ability to serve the offshore wind market
McAllister Towing’s three-acre lot at the foot of Southampton Avenue is being developed into a marine operations center to enhance services to the Port of Virginia. As the project subconsultant since 2023, Kimley-Horn is working with Clark Nexsen to craft conceptual and construction plans for developing the property—including dredging, waterfront structures, land development, site utilities, and a new building for shop and administrative functions—which will enhance its operations, berthing capacity, and marine connectivity.
Maximizing Impact with Waterfront Engineering Services
With our expertise in structural design, coastal engineering, and naval architecture, Kimley-Horn designed the following:
- Dredging and berthing plans
- 75-foot timber pier from the north bulkhead to the north pier
- Two 30’ x 30’ crane pads adjacent to the north and west bulkheads
- Two mooring dolphins at the silo pier to accommodate a 300’ length overall vessel
- An approximately 150-linear-foot north bulkhead which extends to a dredge depth of 20+2’ below mean
low water - An approximately 125-linear-foot west bulkhead which extends to a dredge depth of 20+2’ below mean
low water
Our team also designed improvements to the silo pier, including fenders, an access ladder, and moorings and modified the existing north timber pier to accommodate deeper dredging and stabilize the shoreline in the vicinity of the silo pier.
Site development design is being done by MSA Consulting, and building design will be performed by Clark Nexsen, whose plans to raise the building to be nine feet above grade will mitigate flood damage and comply with FEMA requirements. Other project subconsultants, including hydrographic surveyor Waterways and geotechnical engineering firm Terracon, performed structural work, hydrographic surveying, and dredging services. We will also further partner with Clark Nexsen and MSA Consulting to coordinate utilities for the administration building after its construction.
Image Attribution: Clark Nexsen
Tailoring Design and Permitting Processes
Throughout the project, we carefully shepherded the construction and dredging permitting process through a joint application to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), collaborating with them to address the comments of each agency and promptly handle each partner’s feedback as the design changed.
With multiple structures at the site, our team continues to balance the needs of McAllister Towing and other partners—which requires a holistic approach and conscientious communication. As part of the final design, we removed wharf structures and placed twin piers for a travel lift. The travel lift piers will span over a watermain owned by the City of Norfolk and require additional engineering to avoid encroachment on the City’s right of way.
Strengthening Resilience and Marine Connectivity
The project benefited from multidisciplinary collaboration throughout Kimley-Horn as our team shared resources from our ports and maritime practice. Key personnel across offices in Virginia, Maryland, Florida, and New York performed wharf design, bulkhead design, and living shoreline development—and we are already planning for additional coordination when the twin piers are built later in 2025.
When completed, McAllister Towing’s berthing capacity will increase by several vessels, offering more space and superior facilities for their operations. The new marine operations center will house a well-constructed, first-class facility with access to Naval Station Norfolk and the Port of Virginia. It will also serve the offshore wind market by providing services to visiting vessels and allow McAllister to perform light repair and maintenance to ships using the added travel lifts. Our relationships with Clark Nexsen and other partners enabled us to support McAllister Towing’s need for a tug fleet home base, enhancing coastal flooding resilience and safeguarding their waterfront assets in the greater Norfolk area for years to come.
