DCS Design | Davis Carter Scott Capital Area Food Bank

GPI provided structural engineering services for the new 45,000 sqft Capital Area Food Bank Distribution Center, which includes a tall-story warehouse area and an adjacent three-story multi-purpose section. The expansion of the warehouse is approximately 3.5 times larger than the existing building was, allowing the food bank to broaden their reach of assistance for those in need.

The 36,000 sqft warehouse/distribution center within the facility contains approximately 500 linear feet of 2 to 5 pallet tall general dry storage racking as well as a cooler with the capability to hold 468 pallets, a freezer which can hold up to 295 pallets, and cold storage to enable local produce purchasing. It also has eight truck docks and the capacity to receive direct deliveries. Non-warehouse spaces include training rooms, locker rooms, office space, and a large conference room with an exterior roof terrace. The project also includes a 23,000 sqft parking structure located above the warehouse, loading dock, and truck staging areas.

The building was designed utilizing a precast concrete superstructure supported by cast-in-place concrete foundations consisting of a combination of grade beams, cantilevered retaining walls, mat foundations, and traditional spread footings. Warehouse slab-on-grade areas were designed to support storage racking systems as much as 33’ tall and wheel loading from various forklifts and pallet jacks. Miscellaneous structural steel framing was also designed for the entrance vestibule, office level roof canopies, elevator divider and hoist beams, and support of an operable partition.

This project has received the following awards:

• 2025 ULI Washington Awards for Excellence
• 2024 NAIOP NOVA Community Enrichment Award of Excellence
• LEED Silver