Sain Associates is honored to receive a Merit Award in the Civil Engineering category of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama’s Excellence in Construction Awards for our work on the Jefferson County Medical Examiner and Coroner’s Office project. This recognition highlights our innovative design approach, technical expertise, and commitment to supporting infrastructure in Alabama.
The new 32,000-square-foot Jefferson County Medical Examiner and Coroner’s Office, located near Lakeshore Parkway and Leaf Lake Boulevard in Birmingham replaced the previous facility at Cooper Green Hospital. The new building includes administrative offices, a modern autopsy complex, a drive-thru sally port, and dedicated staff and visitor parking areas — all designed to support efficient operations and future growth.
Designing with Nature in Mind
Situated in a priority watershed that drains into Shades Creek, the project required thoughtful design to protect streams and wetlands. Our team avoided any impact to jurisdictional waters, eliminating the need for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Individual Permit and saving valuable time.
To preserve these sensitive areas, we incorporated bottomless culverts to span streams without disturbing them and added pedestrian bridges to connect parking areas while maintaining the natural environment.
Surveying and Design Excellence
Sain Associates provided ALTA/NSPS Land Title and Topographic Survey services, laying the groundwork for the project’s success. The survey included boundary verification, drainage features, utilities, contours, and title exception plotting.
The triangular site presented multiple challenges, including existing utilities, easements, jurisdictional features, and wetlands. Our design balanced the Coroner’s Office’s operational needs with environmental sensitivity by dividing the site into three distinct zones: visitor parking, staff parking, and the building itself.
The building was strategically placed between Lakeshore Parkway and the smaller stream, allowing for future expansion to the north. The visitor parking area was positioned between the stream and Leaf Lake Parkway, using the natural buffer to limit disturbance. The staff parking lot was located at the southern end of the property, between the larger stream and the Blue Cross property, preserving a natural buffer that reduces visibility of staff areas from the public.
Images provided by Poole & Company Architects and Doster Construction.
A Lasting Impact
The Jefferson County Medical Examiner and Coroner’s Office represent more than just a new facility; it’s a vital investment in the health, safety, and resilience of our community. Sain Associates is proud to have contributed to this important project and honored to see our efforts recognized among Alabama’s best in engineering.
Learn more about our civil engineering and surveying expertise: https://www.sain.com/services/