Urbanism balances social, economic, and physical aspects of places, while planning develops and implement strategies to drive change. Together, they create vibrant, inclusive environments. Woolpert’s experts enhance well-being, preserve heritage and resources, and provide adaptable, resilient solutions that promote equity, health, safety, and economic opportunities.

Bermello Ajamil, a wholly owned subsidiary of Woolpert, alongside a team of seasoned experts, conducted a comprehensive cruise market and economic impact assessment for the port and its surrounding region. This initiative aimed to guide the strategic design of future facilities and operational practices, aligning with emerging market opportunities and challenges. What began as a project to design a temporary terminal facility atop one of San Diego’s oldest Navy Piers transformed into the development of a permanent, two-story, 52,250-square-foot structure. This endeavor included essential structural enhancements and seismic retrofitting to comply with current standards, supporting the pier’s resilience and safety. The project further introduced new mooring hardware and an updated fendering system, marking significant advancements in the terminal’s infrastructure.

DUBLIN, Ireland (Feb. 2, 2024) — Woolpert announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Murphy Geospatial, subject to regulatory approval.

Murphy Geospatial is a private, family-owned multidisciplinary geospatial business that has six offices across Ireland and the UK. Woolpert is a private, U.S.-based firm that has been providing comprehensive and integrated geospatial services in various parts of the world for more than 50 years. Woolpert do not have operations in Ireland.

Woolpert President Neil Churman said that this acquisition will benefit both businesses and will enable the combined firm to integrate best practices, leverage operational efficiencies, and advance the delivery of services for clients. These services include survey, reality capture, BIM, asset monitoring, GIS, and all forms of mapping.

“Over the last four decades, Murphy Geospatial has solidified itself as an innovative geospatial partner throughout Ireland, the UK, and the surrounding regions,” Churman said. “Together with Murphy Geospatial, we will expand our presence in Europe to improve our offering to customers, accelerate next-level solutions, and provide vital support to the infrastructure, manufacturing, construction, property, utility, and natural environment sectors.”

Post-closing, Murphy Geospatial CEO Niall Murphy will continue to lead the group, which will operate as “Murphy Geospatial, a Woolpert Company,” along with the current leadership team.

Niall added: “We are thrilled to be joining forces with the Woolpert team. Their long-standing history in the geospatial sector and commitment to creating a great place to work for employees makes them an ideal match for us. We look forward to taking this next step to better serving our valued clients and advancing the industry together.”

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Murphy Geospatial was advised by Equiteq (Corporate Finance).

The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (GDRTA) retained Woolpert to create a master plan for Wright Stop Plaza, a central transit hub for the region encompassing half city block brown field in downtown Dayton. The design challenge for this project was to provide improved facilities for transit users and to improve surveillance to control unwanted loitering. The new plaza complex redevelops the former Market Street right-of-way, that was abandoned by the city, and adjacent property. The master plan helped GDRTA secure funding for the project. With funding in place, GDRTA retained Woolpert to prepare construction documents for the facility in two phases for separate bids and awards.

Perched in the Indian Ocean, the lush subtropical island of Mauritius is blessed with magnificent natural beauty and an abundance of attractions. To improve the port facility and expand tourism in the island’s economy, this multi-phase project included urban planning of a new public waterfront promenade and urban core with a passenger ferry and cruise terminal. The promenade design links the Le Salinas historic downtown area and the passenger terminal, as well as planned private developments and public parks.

Conceived by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defense of the UAE, and Nakheel Properties, The World is one of the most innovative land reclamation and development projects ever attempted. Envisioned as a series of independent islands, approximating the shape of a Mercator projection of the world map, it is surrounded by a series of breakwaters/reefs to provide necessary protection. Bermello Ajamil, a wholly owned subsidiary of Woolpert, was commissioned as the master planner for the entire project, responsible for all planning and developmental guidance. The plan provides a framework for basic infrastructure and development whose requirements have been determined within a range of upper and lower levels of densities to meet future needs.

For 24 years, Woolpert has worked to develop the vision and design for the Northern Kentucky Riverfront Commons, including the landmark Covington Plaza. Woolpert’s master plan created a strong foundation for continued economic redevelopment of the riverfront, energized by a dynamic and vibrant waterfront community gathering and entertainment focus. This project involved the design for three segments of the Riverfront Commons Trail system in three different cities, conforming to the design guidelines prepared by Woolpert. The total of the three segments was approximately one mile. The design widths varied from 8 feet to 12 feet depending on space available.

In designing and developing Disney Cruise Lines’ private island, Gorda Cay, the Disney Company wanted to craft onshore the same unique theme experience found on their cruise vessels. Disney retained Bermello Ajamil, a wholly owned subsidiary of Woolpert, as part of a design/build team to theme, master plan, and design as well as provide marine engineering and structural services for the entire island.

When designing the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews, North Carolina (about 10 miles southeast of Charlotte), Woolpert balanced stakeholder input with client needs to deliver a final product that exceeded project requirements. Wanting to take advantage of the booming sports-tourism industry, Mecklenburg County hired Woolpert to design a tournament-caliber athletics facility. The county also aimed to secure a high level of community support for the large facility before even breaking ground. Woolpert brought strong project management to the task and presented focused outcomes to government stakeholders when they met to discuss sportsplex options. After conducting three public meetings, the team presented a plan to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners for the $27 million multiuse sports complex.

Woolpert was selected to provide survey, design, bid/award administration, and technical construction support services for this project to restore damaged levee segments and construct a new, 4,800-foot multiuse path segment. The Miami Conservancy District sought to improve transportation options for the Greater Old North Dayton neighborhood. The regional paved trail system was started in the 1970s in Dayton and has since grown to over 330 miles of paved trails—about 30 of which are managed by the MCD.

Woolpert’s services included detailed survey work, property research, geotechnical data review, alternatives analysis (to determine the best levee/path typical section), levee and revetment design, recreational multiuse path design, and technical support throughout the project life cycle (i.e., through the bid/award process and during/after construction). The project successfully delivered a resilient levee system and a new trail segment from Helena Street to Keowee Street, contributing to the regional trail network and improving neighborhood mobility. The new path was designed to fit within existing right of way and was equipped with filter strips per stormwater treatment best management practices.