Stanley Consultants was chosen to complete a thorough site master plan for a former World War II Air Force base. The base has been repurposed into a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) campus focusing on addressing the issue of invasive Mexican fruit flies, which are causing problems for citrus farmers in southern Texas. A multi-discipline team met on-site with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) personnel to tour the facilities, inventory existing utilities and most importantly, listen to the client to understand deficiencies with their current system and how to plan for future requirements.
The comprehensive master plan Stanley Consultants created addressed current issues such as flooding and drainage problems, and also outlined goals for future development through a series of programs and projects. The plan considered critical research, program goals and planning objectives. It provided an assessment of the current state of the base and its infrastructure and proposed a strategic approach for complete development over 20 years. This plan serves as a framework for future growth. Additionally, it outlined a plan for the base to sustain, modernize, divest and transform to optimize operations.
The master plan addresses current and forecasted needs, viable solutions to correct problems and an action plan for project implementation. The plan identified trends and needs for base operations and addressed them in four phases: near-term, mid-term, long-term and deferred needs. Furthermore, the plan outlined the buildings that needed to be demolished, the specifications for future facilities and utilities, the necessary paving and drainage adjustments and a phased approach with projected expenses.