Across the country, communities are investing in modern water infrastructure that can meet changing regulations, withstand seismic events and support long‑term population growth. A major regional initiative in the Pacific Northwest reflects this movement, leveraging alternative delivery through a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) approach to combine advanced treatment technology with seismically resilient pipelines — protecting a critical drinking water supply for generations to come.

At the heart of this program is a new state‑of‑the‑art filtration facility capable of treating 135 million gallons of water per day. Paired with new pipeline infrastructure to replace aging components, the project will remove sediment, organic material, microorganisms and other contaminants, including Cryptosporidium from the city’s drinking water supply.

Supporting Quality, Safety and Reliability Throughout Construction

As an essential partner on this CM/GC-delivered project, Atlas provides comprehensive inspection and quality oversight, spanning grading, concrete, coatings, pipeline installation, electrical systems and mechanical components. This work supports alignment with contractual requirements, regulatory expectations and the rigorous safety standards essential for a project of this scale.

Within the collaborative CM/GC delivery environment, Atlas strengthens coordinated decision‑making by offering clear documentation, real-time communication and multidisciplinary field support. Early contractor involvement enables proactive identification of constructability challenges, informed cost and schedule decisions and effective management — helping maintain compliance with state and federal water regulations while keeping construction moving efficiently.

Protecting Health, the Economy and the Future

This investment in upgraded treatment facilities and resilient conveyance infrastructure delivers benefits that extend far beyond regulatory compliance — protecting public health, supporting economic vitality and enhancing long-term system resilience in the face of seismic risk and future demand.  

A Model for Modern Water Delivery

“This project demonstrates the value of alternative delivery, particularly the CM/GC model, in addressing complex water infrastructure challenges,” said Tom Price, Atlas Infrastructure President. “By working collaboratively with the owner, designer and contractor early in the process, our team helps manage risk, maintain consistent quality and adapt as field conditions evolve. Atlas’ integrated role supports informed decision-making and contributes to the long-term reliability of this essential water system.”

Learn more about Atlas’ alternative delivery solutions and connect with us at the annual , being held April 13-15, in Grapevine, Texas. Visit us in Booth #638.

Project earns an ACEC Georgia Engineering Excellence Award.

Babak (Bobby) Shayan, David McKenney, Alexandra Davis, Andrew Pankopp and Andy Casey accept award on behalf project team. 

Spelman College has long been recognized for its academic excellence and leadership in liberal arts and sciences. As the college envisioned its first major new academic building in more than 25 years, campus leaders saw an opportunity to create something extraordinary — a space where the arts and sciences could finally converge and inspire one another.

The result is the 82,500‑square‑foot , a landmark building positioned at one of the campus’s most prominent corners. Designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, the Center includes performance spaces, classrooms, dance studios, a museum, a café and the Arthur M. Blank Innovation Lab — an advanced maker space inviting students from across disciplines to experiment and create.

The project recently earned statewide recognition, receiving an , in the Special Projects category. This award highlights the successful collaboration and technical excellence that brought this transformational building to life.

Engineering a Shared Vision

Atlas is proud to have played a significant role in delivering the site design solutions that made this bold vision possible. Our team provided comprehensive services, including site planning, grading and drainage, stormwater management, utility design, erosion control, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) documentation, permitting and construction support.

Designing within a dense, historic and active campus environment required meticulous planning and coordination. The project site, formerly a faculty parking lot, contained a complex web of existing utilities critical to campus operations. Atlas conducted extensive investigation and subsurface utility exploration to minimize relocations, protect essential systems and see that construction could move forward without disrupting campus life.

This careful groundwork proved invaluable, especially when designing the foundations for the pedestrian bridge that connects the new Center to the campus core. Bridge footings were needed in an area crowded with existing and proposed utilities. Atlas worked closely with the structural engineering team, using designating and targeted test pits to verify the exact location and elevation of utilities.

Sustainable Solutions Below the Surface

While much of the Center’s beauty is visible in its open, sun‑lit architecture and inviting outdoor “porch” spaces, some of its most impactful engineering features lie underground.

Located within — an area historically affected by pollution and flooding — the site required thoughtful water management strategies. Atlas designed a 63,200‑gallon underground cistern, constructed from 84‑inch‑diameter pipe, to capture runoff from both landscaped areas and building rooftops. Pretreatment through vegetated swales and a high‑capacity First Defense system improves water quality, reduces downstream flooding and gives Spelman a sustainable irrigation source that reduces reliance on the city’s potable water supply.

During utility evaluations, Atlas also identified opportunities to enhance segments of the existing sanitary sewer system serving a large portion of campus. The team designed a new watertight sewer main, improving system performance and safeguarding both campus operations and nearby natural environments.

The Center for Innovation and the Arts has already catalyzed new activity and programming on campus, creating a vibrant hub for creativity and discovery. For Atlas, the project represents the impact of thoughtful civil engineering — solutions that operate quietly beneath the surface yet play a pivotal role in a building’s performance, sustainability and long‑term campus value.

“Earning the 2026 ACEC Georgia Merit Award underscores the significance of this achievement. The Center stands as a testament to what can be accomplished when visionary design meets technical precision: a building that not only serves Spelman College today but strengthens its legacy for generations to come,” said Tom Price, Atlas Infrastructure President.

Additional Award-Winning Contributions

Alongside the Merit Award for the Spelman Center for Innovation and the Arts, Atlas was also recognized for its contributions to the Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility Expansion and the Brookhaven City Center, which earned a State Award and an Honor Award, respectively.