INDUSTRY RESEARCH, BENCHMARKING AND PROJECT FEASIBILITY STUDIES: Considering a facility development program? Let our professionals help you “do your homework”. With decades of experience and contacts throughout the petroleum, alternative fuel, food service, drug, grocery, retail, real estate and government sectors we can help you start out in the right direction.

PROTOTYPE DESIGN: Our prototype facility designs are usually based on the 80% rule. That is to say that we design a prototype building or system to comply with 80% of the typical design constraints. For example, a typical prototype design will include structural element options for seismic, snow loads and hurricane conditions. There may be different voltage options (208v or 240v). There may even be an architectural image “hierarchy” of preferred architectural elements in order of importance for maintaining a brand image. Some of these elements may be negotiable when permitting a facility with strict architectural covenants. Other elements are non-negotiable and are required to identify the facility brand.

We have developed prototype designs for convenience stores, quick service restaurants, car washes, quick lube facilities, drug stores, automotive repair facilities, petroleum storage and distribution systems, alternative fuel facilities and hypermarket facilities.

PROBABLE COST ANALYSIS OF PROPOSED FACILITIES: How much will it cost to construct a proposed facility? Based on a preliminary site plan and floor plans, we can provide a preliminary construction cost estimate to give our clients an idea of the probable cost to construct a facility anywhere in the world.

ENTITLEMENT SERVICES: What are the requirements to build a facility? M&A can provide development and permit research for clients to determine the requirements to obtain a building permit and construct a facility in a given area.

SITE DESIGN: Optimal site layout can literally make or break the viability of a project. Is circulation around the site adequate for the convenience of the customer? Is there sufficient parking? Can delivery vehicles service the facility without blocking customer circulation? Are there proper separations between different uses of the property to meet building and industry codes? How much property is enough for the intended use? The professionals at M&A can answer these questions and provide an efficient, functional site design.

CIVIL ENGINEERING: Our civil engineers can provide drainage and detention system design, on-site and off-site utility design, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWP3s), Storm Water Quality Management Plans (SQMPs), erosion control plans, site grading plans, plan and profiles, pavement plans, platting services, driveway design and permits, street and median design, Conditional Use Permits (CUPs), zoning change assistance and assistance with Corps of Engineers and Department of Transportation issues.

PERMIT PROCUREMENT: M&A can assist you in obtaining the approvals and permits necessary to construct your facility including site approvals, fill permits, building permits, drainage approvals, site work permits, health code approvals, Department of Transportation permits, petroleum system approvals, air quality permits and Americans with Disabilities (ADA) reviews and approvals.

SITE ADAPTATION OF PROTOTYPE DESIGNS: If a client already has a standardized facility design as many Fortune 500 retailers do, M&A can site adapt your prototype to local codes and site-specific conditions.

RE-IMAGE UPGRADES: M&A has assisted clients with facilities over a multi-market area re-image existing facilities to a new corporate identity. This process involves developing detailed construction and permit plans to re-image, research of permit requirements, permit procurement and often times overseeing or hiring local contractors on behalf of our clients to complete the re-image work.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: With our extensive background in petroleum storage and distribution systems, automobile service and car wash facilities, Morris & Associates can provide environmental audits of your facilities, provide Spill Prevention, Containment and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans, recommend code compliance upgrades, assist with proper responses to code violations and assist in obtaining air quality permits.

CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION: M&A can act as the owner's representative during construction. For example, we are often retained to review contractor's qualifications, visit the site, document and observe testing and critical system installation milestones and assist with solutions encountered in the course of construction.

VALUE ENGINEERING: M&A has literally designed and permitted thousands of facilities all over the USA. Based on this experience and our relationships with experienced, reliable contractors, we can design the most efficient facility possible for our clients. Often we team with contractors during the design process to take advantage of their expertise for a particular type of project.

FORENSIC SERVICES: Morris and Associates has been retained by several client companies to investigate and determine the probable cause of suspected petroleum contamination and system failures as well as investigating accidents related to retail facilities.

EXPERT WITNESS SERVICE: M&A has been retained by various clients to serve as an expert witness in our area of practice. Many of our cases are settled out of court, based on our testimony. We have even been retained by the U.S. Department of Justice to testify on their behalf in an environmental contamination claim.