201 Walnut Avenue

French & Parrello Associates (FPA) was retained by Iron Ore Properties to provide professional engineering services for the redevelopment of 201 Walnut Avenue in Cranford Township, Union County, New Jersey. The 0.85-acre site, formerly occupied by single-story masonry buildings and parking areas within the regulated flood hazard area of the Rahway River, was transformed into a multi-family residential development designed to meet local and state environmental regulations.

FPA prepared preliminary and final site plans, utility layouts, grading, landscaping, lighting, and stormwater management systems, including a subsurface detention basin to reduce post-development runoff. The lowest building floor elevation and garage parking areas were elevated to mitigate flood risk while preserving flood storage volume. Detailed coordination with the project architect, municipal engineers, and review boards ensured the design aligned with both functional needs and aesthetic goals for the community.

FPA secured all necessary permits, including a Flood Hazard Area Verification and Individual Permit, Treatment Works Approval and performed geotechnical investigations to guide design decisions. Additional services were provided to enhance long-term flood resiliency, including raising the building’s finished floor elevation to 1 foot above the FEMA 500-year flood elevation, providing a box culvert system with flood vents for flood storage below the finished floor of the building, and refining drainage strategies to prepare for future extreme weather events.

The project was completed in close collaboration with regulatory agencies, resulting in a fully compliant, sustainable, and flood-resilient residential development. This successful outcome demonstrates FPA’s ability to navigate complex environmental constraints, manage multi-agency approvals, and deliver innovative engineering solutions that support responsible growth and long-term community resilience.