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 Civil Engineering Project Manager, led site planning and optimization efforts for the redevelopment of the historic Pimlico and Laurel Park racing facilities, a transformative initiative commissioned by the Maryland Stadium Authority. Working in collaboration with Ayers Saint Gross and a multidisciplinary project team, Charles oversaw civil engineering services across both sites, guiding the programming, due diligence, and conceptual design phases. 

Responsibilities included directing topographic and existing conditions surveys, utility infrastructure analysis, and site layout development to support new racing, stable, and support facilities. Facilitated interactive site optimization workshops to evaluate multiple development scenarios, balancing operational needs, equine circulation, and long-term flexibility. Coordinated with stakeholders to assess environmental impacts, traffic and access strategies, and infrastructure upgrades, including stormwater management and utility extensions. At Laurel Park, he supported a comprehensive facility condition assessment, addressing site and utility systems. His work informed programmatic design studies, cost-benefit analyses, and value engineering efforts, advancing the project toward schematic design and construction readiness. Charles’s leadership ensured alignment with racing industry best practices, sustainability goals, and community engagement priorities, laying the groundwork for a modernized, multi-use racing campus at both sites.

As Project Manager, I led the planning and schematic design of the Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility, a transformative downtown redevelopment initiative commissioned by the Maryland Stadium Authority and the City of Hagerstown. This high-profile project aimed to create a year-round community asset that would serve as a minor league baseball stadium and a flexible venue for public events, festivals, and recreational activities. My responsibilities included managing a multidisciplinary team through a comprehensive due diligence process, which involved environmental assessments, archaeological investigations, geotechnical analysis, traffic and parking studies, and land acquisition strategy development.

I oversaw the integration of advanced site optimization tools (SITEOPS®) to evaluate grading, earthwork, and infrastructure scenarios in real time, enabling efficient decision-making and cost forecasting. A key challenge was coordinating the reconfiguration of the Hagerstown Cultural Trail, a bond-funded public art corridor, into the stadium design—ensuring it remained a vibrant civic amenity while enhancing the ballpark experience. I also facilitated stakeholder engagement workshops, collaborated with architectural and engineering partners, and guided the development of schematic design documents across all disciplines, including civil, structural, MEP, and life safety systems.

The project’s success hinged on balancing technical feasibility, community goals, and budget constraints. My leadership helped establish a clear permitting and acquisition framework, mitigate environmental and geotechnical risks, and position the facility as a catalyst for economic revitalization in downtown Hagerstown.

Served as Project Manager, Lead Civil Engineer, and ultimately Project Principal for the $150M multi-phase redevelopment of Baltimore’s historic Penn Station—Amtrak’s 8th busiest—into a modern intermodal hub and catalyst for transit-oriented development (TOD). The project includes the adaptive reuse of the historic headhouse into office, retail, and restaurant space, construction of a new north-side passenger concourse, and major public realm and infrastructure upgrades.

Led RK&K’s civil engineering team throughout master planning, design, and into construction, overseeing all civil site design, including site layout, grading, storm drainage, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, new utility infrastructure, and right-of-way improvements (e.g., roads, sidewalks, and bus terminals). Directed extensive surveying operations—including LIDAR 3D scans, boundary/topo surveys, and over 40 utility test holes—within active Amtrak and MTA track zones, requiring close coordination with rail operations. Held and maintained Amtrak RWP certification for the duration of the project.

During the master planning phase, coordinated closely with state and local agencies to assess infrastructure and utility conditions, support zoning analysis, and evaluate TOD feasibility across multiple Amtrak-owned parcels. Led floodplain impact analysis and permitting related to FEMA 100-year floodplain constraints.

Advanced from Project Manager to Project Principal, providing strategic oversight, stakeholder engagement, and technical leadership through final design delivery and into phased construction.

Charles Mitchell served as Civil Project Engineer under an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract supporting Smithsonian Institution facilities across the DMV region. His responsibilities included site investigation and analysis, grading and drainage design, stormwater management planning, utility coordination, and preparation of construction documents. He applied AutoCAD Civil 3D and hydrologic modeling tools to develop stormwater designs compliant with the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), Virginia DEQ, and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) regulations. Charles also utilized site optimization software to achieve balanced earthwork and reduce construction costs across multiple sites.

Key projects included:

Dulles Swing Space Module – NASM Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, VA

Charles developed design documents for a major building expansion to support museum storage at the National Air and Space Museum. His work included demolition planning, grading, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, and utility design. Due to the site’s proximity to active airspace, he ensured compliance with FAA and Dulles Airport regulations. He also contributed technical input toward the project’s LEED certification, focusing on sustainable site strategies.

Cheetah Conservation Facility – Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), Front Royal, VA

Charles led civil design for an approximately 80,000-square-foot cheetah containment area on steep, undeveloped terrain. He prepared site plans for grading, utilities, and erosion and sediment control, securing ESC permitting through Virginia DEQ. His use of site optimization software helped achieve a balanced grading design, minimizing earthwork and construction costs.

Gates 2 & 3 Roadway Improvements – SCBI, Front Royal, VA

For this roadway safety enhancement project, Charles coordinated final design documents and provided construction phase services. The improvements included upgrades to two vehicle entrances and a one-mile segment of a major VDOT roadway, incorporating turn lanes, shoulders, guardrails, and drainage systems to improve access and safety for visitors and staff.

Pod 6 Expansion – Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD

Charles developed conceptual site design documents for a major building expansion to support museum storage. His scope included demolition, grading, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, and utility planning. He ensured compliance with MDE stormwater regulations and supported the project’s LEED certification pursuit by advising on sustainable site design strategies.

Across all assignments, Charles demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainable design, regulatory compliance, and cost-effective engineering solutions that support the Smithsonian’s mission and operational needs.

Charles Mitchell served as Senior Project Engineer under the Architect of the Capitol’s Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, supporting civil/site design and engineering services for high-security and infrastructure improvement projects across the Capitol complex. His work involved site investigation, utility coordination, grading and drainage design, and preparation of construction documents in compliance with AOC standards and federal regulations. Charles collaborated closely with architects, MEP consultants, and AOC stakeholders to deliver technically sound and context-sensitive solutions within constrained urban environments.

Key projects included:

D Street Traffic Calming and Security Enhancements – HB18005, FHOB & OHOB, Washington, DC

Charles led civil engineering design for a high-priority initiative to improve pedestrian safety and security near the House of Representatives Child Care Center. The project involved traffic calming measures, ADA-compliant pedestrian access, and integration of security infrastructure including K-12 rated barriers, bollards, and guard kiosks. He oversaw topographic and utility surveys, coordinated with DC Metro and municipal agencies, and developed multiple schematic and full design options for directional traffic flow. His work supported the development of construction documents aligned with the AOC A/E Design Manual, including erosion and sediment control plans, stormwater management strategies, and hazardous materials assessments.

USCP Security Kiosks – Phases 1, 4 & 5, Capitol Complex

Charles provided civil/site design revisions for multiple security kiosk installations across the Capitol grounds. His scope included incorporating updated electrical service connections and revised kiosk footprints into existing site plans, coordinating with MEP consultants, and preparing backcheck and final construction document submissions. For Phase 5, he supported a restart of the 50% design phase, ensuring alignment with new security concepts and minimal disruption to existing site features. His work contributed to enhanced perimeter security while maintaining compliance with AOC design and environmental standards.

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.

As Senior Civil Engineer supporting the architectural prime consultant, I led civil design efforts for the Smithsonian Institution’s NASM Udvar-Hazy Center Collections Storage Module Phase 3—a three-story facility designed to serve as both swing space for artifact storage during the National Mall Building renovation and a long-term solution for housing large air and space artifacts.

My responsibilities encompassed site layout, grading, stormwater management, utility coordination, and vehicular access design, all executed in compliance with Smithsonian Institution and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) standards. I developed erosion and sediment control plans, coordinated with local and federal agencies for permitting, and produced civil engineering deliverables for the 65%, 100%, and Final Bid Document phases.

To support the project’s LEED Gold certification goals, I integrated sustainable site strategies and low-impact development (LID) practices, contributing to the Smithsonian’s broader environmental stewardship objectives. These strategies included minimizing impervious surfaces, enhancing stormwater infiltration, and preserving natural site features where feasible.

A critical component of the project involved close coordination with MWAA to secure necessary permits and ensure regulatory compliance for all activities within airport jurisdiction. I also facilitated utility coordination with Fairfax Water, overseeing the design and execution of utility connections and relocations to support infrastructure improvements. This required navigating complex permitting processes, aligning project timelines with agency requirements, and maintaining clear communication among stakeholders to minimize disruptions and ensure successful implementation.

This project played a pivotal role in advancing the Smithsonian’s collections strategy by enhancing artifact preservation capabilities and operational efficiency at one of the nation’s premier museum campuses.