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The Seattle Storm Center for Basketball Performance is gearing up for a new season in their brand new home, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the engineering planning and project team. The project, located on a tight Interbay lot with a high groundwater table, presented numerous challenges that required innovative solutions and teamwork to overcome.

The civil engineers, led by Jackie Sempel, Bailey Cook, and Katlyn Christenson from Coughlin Porter Lundeen, worked tirelessly to meet the project’s ambitious goals, including neighborhood revitalization. One of the key challenges was designing a space that could serve as player and staff parking while also converting into two 3×3 tournament basketball courts.

To address the site drainage requirements, the team implemented a corrugated-metal pipe system that kept excavation above the groundwater table and provided detention for the entire site. They also worked with architects and landscape teams to ensure player safety by locating utility covers outside the court area and designing customized covers with the Seattle Storm name and logo.

Despite facing unexpected challenges during construction, such as issues with pipe routing and street conditions, the team remained nimble and collaborative, finding solutions that kept costs down and met the project’s timeline. Additionally, the Seattle Storm organization’s commitment to benefiting the community led to the creation of Storm Country, a public art initiative around the Center.

Overall, the project’s success is a testament to the power of teamwork and collaboration in overcoming obstacles and creating a space that will not only benefit the Seattle Storm but also the surrounding community for years to come.