Best Buy Distribution Center

The Best Buy Distribution Center in Polk County is a 650,808-square-foot facility that was developed to meet the retailer’s surge in online sales. While zoning for this site allowed for distribution center uses, the center was being built in the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern. To move the design swiftly through the stringent Army Corps of Engineers approvals process, VHB developed a creative site design that addressed critical concerns and impacts. Our environmental scientists identified native species and created site boxes for native Kestrels and relocated tortoises. In addition, we addressed challenging soil and groundwater conditions, as well as significant topographic relief. Our team developed an aggressive stormwater approach to significantly reduce fill across the site, ultimately saving more than 200,000 cubic yards of import, which resulted in cost savings of more than two million dollars. Phased construction plans were key to meeting an aggressive building delivery schedule while navigating a complex and lengthy environmental permitting process.