WBCM Celebrates Success of Baltimore Grand Prix
This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Baltimore Grand Prix in downtown Baltimore. Over the past year, this Indy Car racing event has been debated, criticized and lauded in the local and national media. After seeing for myself firsthand over the Labor Day holiday, one thing is clear – Baltimore has never looked better. The race brought excitement, thrills, and thousands of race fans to the Inner Harbor.
WBCM was fortunate enough to be part of the race. We may not have taken any hairpin turns at 90 mph, but we did complete a fast-track design of the pit row area and turns 7 and 8 of the race course. Everyone who works in downtown Baltimore knows that the city needed to return to business as usual immediately following the race. This included Oriole Park at Camden Yards which hosts the New York Yankees today – three days after the checkered flag dropped. WBCM provided innovative site solutions to allow for the pit row area to be completely constructed and deconstructed within a week. This included the design of demountable light poles, parking gates, fencing, guard houses, and even trees and shrubs.
WBCM generated a design that was not only functional and aesthetically pleasing, but also sustainable. To satisfy the stormwater management requirements for the project, WBCM designed a rainwater harvesting system which simultaneously reduces water consumption for Oriole Park and reduces harmful stormwater runoff which pollutes the Chesapeake Bay. 
Finally, WBCM’s structural and transportation groups were involved in the roadway widening, retaining walls, and maintenance of traffic designs that were required to accommodate the Indy Racing League standards and to maintain the functionality of the stadium complex during construction.
This project showcases how good civil design can accomplish great things for the cities we live in. WBCM is proud to be a part of it.
Blaine Linkous, P.E., P.H., LEED AP
Chief Civil Engineer, Site Department
Blaine has participated in numerous design projects for stormwater, wastewater water supply, and drainage facilities at WBCM and has played an integral part in the design of the rainwater harvesting system for this project.
How much will the new International Green Construction Code impact projects?
The US Green Building Council, Maryland Chapter hosted a seminar to review the new International Green Construction Code recently approved by the Maryland Legislature. Maryland has been identified as a leading state in development of Certified LEED Buildings and now the first state to enable local governments to implement the code. The use of the International Green Building Code is voluntary—not mandated by the State—nor intended to be. Unique to this code is the flexibility provided to the jurisdictions to select portions most applicable to the conditions in their region. The code is LEED based in format with sections that resemble the categories for sustainable design. Presented with this background information some professionals are of the opinion that the code will replace the LEED certification process. This is not the case. LEED certification requirements will continue to raise the bar for more energy efficient and carbon neutral buildings. For example, the code will establish a higher standard base line for building performance with a 30% increase to energy efficiency requirement over the present energy performance standards. For design professionals the question is, what impact will this code have on my project and will it help me to obtain LEED certification? Or will my clients forgo the expense of certification and just want to meet code?
Please visit www.usgbcmd.org to learn more about the International Green Construction Code
Stephen Burdette, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
Vice President, Architecture
Steve is a USGBC Maryland Chapter Board Member and serves on the Northern Chesapeake Branch Steering Committee. He is also the coordinator for WBCM’s LEED AP and Sustainable Design Initiative.