EBJ presents MBA with "Project Merit Award" for its role in addressing air quality problems in San Bernardino

The Environmental Business Journal Project Merit Award" has been presented to MBA for its role in addressing air quality problems associated with commercial development in the City of San Bernardino. The city had suspended a grading permit for the development of a new Lowes center because of concerns over dust, vibration, and noise that had been raised by a neighboring medical facility. The complainant was also concerned that large trucks would interfere with the operation of the medical facilitys magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. After carefully evaluating the complaint and planned construction practices, Michael Hendrix, MBAs Air Quality and Noise Assessment Section Manager, recommended an innovative solution that used only smaller, rubber-wheeled equipment near the facility in combination with the construction of a retaining wall using auger-driven pilings rather than a poured foundation and pile-driving. Under a separate initiative for the city, Mr. Hendrix also developed an Air Quality Mitigation and Fugitive Dust Control Plan to show how construction emissions would be closely monitored to assure compliance with South Coast Air Quality Management District standards. As a result, these plans went well beyond standard practices and helped secure a creative solution to a seemingly unsolvable problem.