The Greenville Transit Authority Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility, located in Greenville, SC, consolidates all administrative, operational, and maintenance functions on a single site. The project features an 18,000-square-foot operations and administration building and a 42,000-square-foot maintenance building, connected by a pedestrian bridge that spans a 29-foot grade change.

The facility’s layout takes advantage of the site’s topography by placing the administration building at a higher elevation and the maintenance building on a lower plateau. This design minimizes the visual and acoustic impact on surrounding neighborhoods and uses the natural slope as a sound buffer. The structural systems include precast roofing planks, contributing to rigidity and cost-effectiveness. Skylights and light wells have been incorporated to provide natural light in areas where traditional windows were not feasible.

The facility has four fueling systems: gasoline, diesel, electric, and compressed natural gas, serving a fleet of 68 full-size buses and 25 paratransit vehicles. Landscaping is designed to stabilize the slope, screen views, and control erosion. Additionally, the site features a 1,600 square foot community room, a memorial courtyard honoring the former Washington Heights High School, and an adjacent public park that includes walking trails, a pavilion, and a playground.

Wendel provided comprehensive architectural, engineering, and landscape design services, developed construction documents, managed community engagement, coordinated bidding, and oversaw construction administration.

Wendel is leading the planning and design for a significant addition to the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, located within a historic Frederick Law Olmsted park that features an iconic glasshouse designed by Lord & Burnham. With the demand for programs, events, and community engagement at an all-time high, the Gardens is undertaking a major expansion that will enhance its mission, modernize the visitor experience, and extend its impact for generations to come.

The new addition will introduce a café, gift shop, event spaces, and an expanded exhibit hall dedicated to pollinator education and engagement. This expansion will provide enhanced functionality to support the Gardens’ mission and ensure long-term growth.

Wendel’s planning and design efforts include a relocated Welcome Center, new Learning Labs, and The Canopy, a climate-controlled event space that overlooks a lush new Central Courtyard. The addition will also feature a café, an expanded gift shop, visitor lockers, and accessible amenities. A new Solarium will host intimate events, while a renovated Horticulture Center will better support staff, gardeners, and volunteers. Outdoors, over 90,000 square feet of gardens and landscape will be revitalized, offering year-round opportunities to connect with nature.

Sustainability is a central focus of this project. It aims for at least LEED Silver certification while implementing strategies to minimize environmental impacts. Energy reduction methods will include daylight harvesting, natural ventilation, both passive and active solar design, ground-source heat pumps, earth sheltering, and optimizing the building envelope. Water usage will be reduced through stormwater and graywater reclamation systems, as well as by installing high-efficiency low-flow fixtures. The project will also address material impact by reusing demolition materials, sourcing locally, and selecting products with low embodied carbon.

This expansion reflects the thoughtful evolution of a beloved public space. It will enhance the visitor experience, broaden programming possibilities, and continue the Botanical Gardens’ legacy as a place of learning, beauty, and environmental stewardship.

The New York State Office of General Services wished to reduce energy usage and operating costs at the Empire State Plaza. Under the New York Power Authority’s Energy Services Program, Wendel analyzed lighting improvements, dimmer replacement, and motor upgrades for four-million square feet of the complex. A detailed lifecycle cost analysis allowed the client to see the complete financial impact of the project, not just construction costs.

The energy savings analysis detailed complete construction documents including plans and specifications, covering approximately 9,000 lighting fixtures, and 1,500 motors. Our team also provided construction administration services for the project and worked with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to secure financial incentives under the Commercial/Industrial Performance Program.

The base equipment currently serving the Empire Plaza are five 4500-ton Carrier model 17P steam turbine driven chillers. These chillers were installed in 1968 and utilize R-22 refrigerant, which is currently being phased out of use.

This project will be completed in two phases:

Phase I: During Phase I, one 6,000 ton electric centrifugal chiller in place of steam chiller #4, which is 4,500 tons. The current 6,000-ton electrical chiller scope was selected per the Electrical Chiller Evaluation Study that was conducted. Chiller #4 was selected for the replacement given its configuration with the free-cooling interchanger and the associated load shedding operation. This measure reduces the natural gas used by this facility by 250,197 MMBtu annually, and will save the facility over $1M dollars annually.

Phase II: New electrical chillers will replace the existing steam chillers for the rest of the plant. This phase is currently in planning/design.

At Barnesville Schools, Wendel was hired to work with the Construction Manager to perform a facility analysis and master plan for the district. The analysis identified several educational, life safety and deferred maintenance deficiencies in the district’s High School and Elementary buildings. Two major deficiencies noted in the analysis were roofing at both buildings and the High School heating system, so while continuing with the planning, Wendel designed a roofing and boiler replacement project funded by LTFM bonds. The planning process explored not only facility needs, but also the best grade alignment for the district. After exploring over 50 different options for additions and remodeling, the district chose to proceed with a referendum that included additions and remodeling at both schools. Work at the Elementary School included a classroom addition that provided new early childhood space and allowed 6th grade to move from the High School. It also included relocation of the Elementary and district offices adjacent to the new secure entry, special education and toilet upgrades and a complete HVAC system replacement. At the High School, an addition included a new gym, auditorium, music suite and dining commons. Science labs, special education and toilets were also included. Bids were received for the projects almost $2M below budget which allowed a CTE addition/renovation, kitchen relocation and office relocation.