Shepherd University Underpass Study and design

The Alumni Center site posed several challenges. The site was intended for use by the Alumni Association was also identified by the City of Morgantown as the potential site for a regional storm water management pond. Alpha was faced with the challenge of integrating the Alumni Center building, parking and amenities with a larger storm water 

management pond to control the Popenoe Run drainage basin. This was accomplished by relocating and culverting a portion of Popenoe Run, in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and creating a two-stage pond. 

The upper, smaller pond contains a permanent pool of water and serves as a water feature and focal point for the Alumni Center landscaping, while the lower, larger pond is a dry detention structure which provides most of the storage required during rain events. With this approach, Alpha was able to achieve the goals of both the City of Morgantown and the West Virginia University Alumni Center.