Emerson Village - Structural & Civil Engineering for Supportive Housing, North Minneapolis

Project Overview

BKBM Engineers provided fully integrated structural and civil engineering services for Emerson Village, a 40-unit, three-story affordable and supportive housing development in North Minneapolis. The project exemplifies how seamless coordination between structural systems and civil site design can create lasting, community-centered developments. BKBM’s work included everything from the building’s structural framing and foundation systems to complete site planning, stormwater management, and sustainable infrastructure, ensuring Emerson Village met the City of Minneapolis and State of Minnesota Green Communities standards.

Project Drivers: Values & Vision

Emerson Village was envisioned as a model for inclusive, sustainable urban living. BKBM’s structural engineering team focused on delivering a framework that supports spacious multi-bedroom apartments and welcoming, open community spaces—such as children’s and teen zones and gathering areas on Level 1. Simultaneously, the civil engineering team ensured the entire site functioned efficiently, with green infrastructure and site amenities supporting accessibility, safety, and quality of life for every resident.

Key Challenges & BKBM Solutions

Structural Engineering Innovations:

  • Level 1’s open-plan community zones demanded advanced framing and load distribution to ensure maximum flexibility and sightlines without sacrificing safety or long-term durability.
  • Upper-level residential layouts, especially on Level 4, required inventive structural detailing to fit units efficiently under the hip roof, accounting for both form and function.
  • When initial canopy footing designs threatened to encroach on city streets, BKBM engineered a helical pile solution, elevating the footings and maintaining project momentum with minimal site disturbance.

Civil Engineering & Stormwater Management:

  • The civil team tackled significant site challenges, including restrictive access easements, shallow stormwater mains, complex grading, and the requirement for below-grade parking access.
  • BKBM split the site’s stormwater capture into two treatment areas, utilizing cascading stormwater basins and creative grading to provide fully code-compliant runoff management without compromising usable site area.
  • Collaboration with the architect led to optimized downspout locations, reducing costly below-grade piping and simplifying ongoing maintenance.

Integrated Design & Responsive Delivery:
BKBM’s structural and civil engineers worked hand-in-hand with architects, owners, city officials, and contractors throughout the project lifecycle. The team provided real-time responses to construction challenges—such as resolving site retaining wall elevation issues on the civil side and coordinating elevation changes and framing modifications on the structural side—ensuring design intent was maintained, costs and delays were minimized, and every detail supported long-term building performance and resilience.

Results & Impact

BKBM’s dual-discipline approach resulted in a project that not only meets all standards for sustainability, constructability, and inclusivity but also enhances neighborhood value. Emerson Village now serves as a benchmark for how integrated structural and civil engineering design delivers adaptable, environmentally responsible, and community-focused affordable housing in Minneapolis. The project was completed on schedule and within budget, thanks to this holistic engineering approach.