Liberty Park is a mixed-use development nestled in the majestic, forested hills along I-459 near Mountain Brook. A network of underground mines, abandoned since the 1950s, lay beneath the between 20 and 200 feet below ground surface at the site.

BHATE found subsurface conditions at Liberty Park consisting of residual silty sand and sandy silt overlying weathered sandstone or shale. An abandoned coal mine was discovered 50-60 feet below the Building 1000 site.

To solve this problem, BHATE recommended placing concrete pillars at each structural column location and at mid-span of the interior base, then drilling piles below the bottom of the mine for structural support. Additional concrete pillars were placed outside the building footprint to reduce the possibility of a mine collapse.

The overall design of the development involved balancing the new construction with the natural beauty of the site's surroundings. To reduce the impact of construction by the existing environment, BHATE enabled very steep slopes to be maintained by the design team.

*WINNER* 1994 ABC Excellence in Construction Award