Civic

Civic Spaces Putting Communities First

Well-designed civic infrastructure supports the daily life of communities across Washington State. Our teams work closely with public agencies and communities to develop community projects. With integrated expertise in land surveying, land use planning, landscape architecture, civil engineering, and structural engineering, we deliver buildable solutions that reflect public goals, budgets, and long-term community needs.

Explore Our Work
Civic Projects We Deliver

AHBL supports the planning and design of civic infrastructure that strengthens neighborhoods, enhances public access, and improves essential services.

Our experience includes:

  • City and county administration offices
  • Community buildings including churches and libraries
  • Operations and maintenance facilities
  • Parks and community centers
  • Public safety buildings including fire stations and police stations
  • Streetscapes and roadways

Our teams bring clarity to complex work by ensuring each project’s results align with the priorities of the community. With offices across Washington, we understand the permitting paths, the technical standards, and the cultural nuances that shape decisions at the city and county level.

We live in the communities we help shape, and that local knowledge helps us anticipate challenges, navigate regulations, and design solutions that are sustainable and built to last.

See the Vision Come to Life

  • Benton Rural Electric Association Campus

    Phased development to minimize delays and costs

  • Jefferson County PUD Campus Operations Expansion

    Expanded operations center improves space and productivity

  • Lakehaven Utility District Headquarters

    All AHBL services were used in this beautiful new three-story, 37,000 SF administration building for Lakehaven Utility District

  • River Cities Transit Center

    Improved safety and traffic flow for this award-winning replacement transit hub in Longview

  • Spokane Valley Library

    A natural ecosystem designed to evolve over time

See More Civic Projects

How We Support Public Agencies

Public work is complex. We work closely with public partners to deliver clear documentation, regulatory alignment, and dependable execution.

Clear Coordination and Project Management

We produce plans and documents that support permitting, bidding, construction, and long-term operations. Our team emphasizes clarity and consistency to help public agencies make informed decisions and maintain predictable project schedules.

Permitting and Regulatory Alignment

AHBL works directly with city, county, and regional agencies to ensure civic projects meet all applicable codes and standards. Our staff coordinates with permitting authorities and utility providers to streamline approvals and reduce delays.

Stakeholder and Community Input

Public projects benefit from transparent engagement. AHBL supports agencies in gathering and incorporating input from community members and partner organizations. This helps ensure that completed infrastructure reflects local priorities and improves public access and equity.

Constructability and Long-Term Maintenance

Our recommendations take into account sustainability, long-term operations, maintenance needs, and considerations around infrastructure lifecycles. We help public agencies develop solutions that are effective, resilient, practical to maintain, and aligned with budgetary realities.
  • Our Services
    Our Core Services

    Civic work demands thorough coordination and clear communication. This is where we show up strongest. We approach each project with the same mindset: listen first, understand the community’s needs, and ensure our designs support healthy, resilient places to live, learn, and gather.

    • Civil Engineering
    • Structural Engineering
    • Landscape Architecture
    • Land Use Planning
    • Land Surveying
  • Civil Engineering

    Anticipating challenges before they become problems keeps projects moving forward. AHBL provides site design, grading, stormwater management, utility systems, ADA, pavement design, roadways and frontage improvements for public infrastructure and community building projects. Our civil engineers work closely with agencies to ensure that systems are compliant, resilient, and cost-effective to maintain.

  • Structural Engineering

    We balance innovation with code requirements, owner goals, and constructability. Our structural engineering team designs efficient and durable systems for public buildings, essential facilities, shelters, retaining walls, and other civic structures. We develop solutions that meet seismic requirements, accommodate future maintenance needs, and integrate seamlessly with architectural and site goals.

  • Landscape Architecture

    We design with purpose, balancing beauty, function, and budget. Our landscape architects design public spaces that support community engagement, accessibility, sustainability, and long-term maintenance. We develop site layouts, planting plans, stormwater-integrated landscapes, pedestrian circulation, and outdoor amenities that improve the usability and identity of civic environments.

  • Land Use Planning

    AHBL’s planners assist local leaders and public agencies with zoning analysis, code compliance, SEPA requirements, community engagement, and permitting coordination. We help translate policy into buildable projects, ensuring civic improvements align with local regulations and long-range community plans.

  • Land Surveying

    Our team takes pride in getting the details right, because in surveying, the details are the difference. We provide accurate boundary, topographic, and construction surveying. We deliver detailed mapping, utility locates based on record data, right-of-way research, and construction staking that enable precise planning and design decisions at the earliest stages of civic infrastructure projects.