This four-story addition expands the existing courthouse to create a new, centralized home for Craven County’s Emergency Operations Department. The project not only enhances day-to-day coordination for emergency management but also resolves long-standing flood issues and introduces a fully ADA-compliant entry experience for the courthouse. The addition features modern conference rooms, administrative offices, and a secure checkpoint for visitors and staff—all designed to improve accessibility, safety, and functionality.
Built on challenging coastal terrain in hurricane-prone New Bern, NC, the project faced what engineers called the “perfect storm” of site conditions: 35 feet of alluvial soil, proximity to open water, and a location within a flood zone. Stewart’s structural design met these challenges head-on with a deep foundation system supported by continuous flight auger (CFA) piles and a robust 18-inch-thick mat slab to stabilize the structure and resist buoyant forces below the water table.
The basement level of the new addition aligns with the courthouse’s existing parking level, strategically designed to block recurring floodwaters. A new floodgate system adds further protection at the secondary garage entrance. Above grade, lightweight concrete slabs and composite steel framing support a durable, efficient structure ready to withstand high wind and seismic events.