GAI Consultants was selected to provide master planning, public participation services, design, construction, and engineering solutions for the renovation of the Haddad Riverfront Park, which is a popular concert, festival, and leisure site in downtown Charleston, West Virginia.

Among the City of Charleston’s project requirements were a retractable canopy to provide protection and visual interest, an overlook plaza and pavilion that extends Court Street to the Kanawha River, an extension of the lower wharf area, a new streetscape design along Kanawha Boulevard, and an event stage for concerts.

GAI was successful in meeting an aggressive 18-month planning, design, and construction schedule. Change orders during construction amounted to less than 0.5% of the total cost. Taking a different approach, GAI presented an initial design that encompassed and connected all four parts of the entire project. The design was highlighted by a grand staircase that would lead to the proposed amphitheater, which serves to open the park to Kanawha Boulevard, making it an integrated part of downtown Charleston.