Industrial Recycling Center

As Project Principal, Charles Mitchell led civil engineering and geotechnical services for the proposed redevelopment of a former landfill site, transforming a challenging brownfield into a viable location for future industrial use. The project involved close coordination with the environmental engineer to meet stringent environmental requirements.

Charles oversaw feasibility studies and preliminary site evaluations for two proposed warehouse buildings totaling nearly 290,000 square feet and approximately 50 acres of new impervious area. His leadership encompassed site planning, stormwater permitting strategy, and geotechnical investigations for two large stockpiles, including subsurface exploration, laboratory testing, and material suitability assessments. Coordinated with Baltimore Gas and Electric to plan for new utility services, including electric and gas infrastructure upgrades necessary to support the redevelopment.

In addition, Charles played a key role in supporting the property’s re-zoning effort, helping to align the proposed industrial use with revised zoning regulations. His team also evaluated potential impacts to natural resources, including wetlands, forested areas, and the Maryland Critical Area, ensuring that redevelopment plans were compatible with ecological constraints and regulatory requirements.

His work provided critical insight into site feasibility, permitting pathways, infrastructure readiness, and regulatory alignment for this complex redevelopment initiative.

Led a $27M multi-phase utility and environmental infrastructure improvement project at UMBC’s newly acquired Spring Grove Hospital Campus, a 175-acre institutional site with historic, forested, and previously agricultural lands. As Project Manager and Project Principal, oversaw all aspects from early program verification through design and permitting. Directed site investigations, stakeholder engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration to assess and prioritize 41 critical infrastructure projects across stormwater, sanitary sewer, environmental remediation, and forest conservation. Developed and facilitated a structured scoring matrix to evaluate project impacts, costs, feasibility, and regulatory implications—guiding UMBC in making strategic capital investment decisions under budget constraints. Authored the comprehensive program report and led the advancement of the highest-priority improvements into design and permitting.

Managed full-service civil engineering across two phased packages, including 4,200 LF of stream restoration, storm drain and culvert replacement, sanitary sewer rehabilitation, removal of underground and above-ground fuel tanks, two extended detention dry ponds, and 24 acres of erosion and sediment control. Coordinated agency approvals across MDE, USACE, DNR, MHT, and Baltimore County DPW&T. Divided design into overlapping phases to streamline permitting and reduce schedule risk. Construction began in Fall 2024, with responsibilities extending into construction administration and five years of post-construction monitoring. This highly visible project serves as a foundational investment in the long-term stabilization and transformation of a historic campus.

As Project Manager for the AutoZone Nottingham development in Baltimore County, led the civil engineering design, permitting, and construction phase support for the redevelopment of a 0.9-acre site at the intersection of Belair Road and Necker Avenue. The project involved consolidating four parcels and preparing full design documentation for a new AutoZone store, parking lot, and supporting infrastructure. I directed site optimization using SITEOPS® modeling to evaluate grading, layout, and cost scenarios, and oversaw utility design for water, sanitary sewer, and storm drainage systems. 

Managed regulatory submissions to Baltimore County agencies for concept and development plan approvals, stormwater management, sediment control, and utility agreements. In response to zoning challenges, coordinated closely with the County and the client’s attorney to support a zoning variance request for reduced parking, including preparation of a zoning plan and providing engineering testimony at the hearing. 

Led the preparation of a right-of-way agreement and associated plans for approval by Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T), ensuring compliance with County standards. 

During construction, provided ongoing support including review of contractor submittals and RFIs, site visits with field reports, and design modifications such as integrating the foundation and French drain systems. This project demonstrated effective coordination across disciplines and agencies, delivering a successful commercial development through all phases of design and construction.

Served as the Senior Project Engineer for the 27,800 SF, $11.2M renovation and expansion of the Five Arts & Student Center at St. Timothy’s School in Stevenson, Maryland. The project revitalized the former Hannah More Art Center into a modern three-story facility supporting literature, theater, dance, visual arts, and music programs. Key features include a renovated 330-seat theater, health and wellness center, rehearsal and dressing rooms, dance studio, 1,000 SF art gallery, and a makerspace. 

The redesigned courtyard includes ornamental landscaping, benches, pavers, site lighting, and a replica of the Fearless Girl sculpture. Charles led the full civil/site engineering design, including utility relocations and new services, stormwater management, grading, ADA-compliant sidewalk design, erosion and sediment control, and coordination with Baltimore County on forest conservation easements adjacent to the site. He also managed the regulatory review and approval processes through Baltimore County, Baltimore County Soil Conservation District and MDE, and coordinated landscape agreements, environmental agreements, Development Review Committee (DRC) meetings, and a tree variance to support project compliance and approvals.

Led the investigation and documentation of existing stormwater management (SWM) facilities across the 430-acre University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) campus. Responsibilities included comprehensive cataloging of impervious surfaces, detailed field assessments of existing SWM infrastructure, and coordination with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to obtain historical records and guide future conceptual designs.

Leveraged legacy data, MDE archives, and field observations to develop a campus-wide ArcGIS model integrating all stormwater assets. Designed and submitted a comprehensive hydrologic model in support of the Stormwater Management (SWM) Master Plan Institutional Management Plan (IMP), which received formal approval from MDE. The model was developed using Hydraflow Hydrographs, incorporating both existing campus conditions and conceptual future development scenarios outlined in the UMBC Facilities Master Plan.

This modeling effort provided a forward-looking framework for stormwater compliance across the campus, enabling UMBC to proactively determine how to address regulatory requirements for future capital projects. The approach included delineation of drainage areas, analysis of runoff volumes, and identification of potential retrofit and new SWM opportunities. The model served as the technical foundation for long-term planning, ensuring that future development aligns with MDE’s environmental standards and supports sustainable stormwater infrastructure.

To support long-term campus sustainability, created a custom asset management tool and protocol for documenting post-construction conditions. This system ensures the ArcGIS model remains current as new projects are implemented, providing a scalable framework for future SWM planning and compliance.