Eastern Oregon University Grand Stair

AHBL partnered with Eastern Oregon University (EOU) as part of a design–build team, delivering civil and structural engineering and landscape architecture to remove, reconstruct, and bring the historic Grand Staircase up to current code. The team implemented a long-life infrastructure with a targeted service life of ~75 years, sequencing construction to minimize impacts to students, faculty, and staff through closely coordinated phasing with the Owner. Recognizing the stair’s historic significance, AHBL’s landscape architects collaborated with the DB contractor to study and propose alternatives that preserve character while enabling phased reconstruction. Planting and irrigation around the rebuilt stairs are designed for low maintenance and to maintain the established campus aesthetic.

AHBL’s civil engineers prepared grading, drainage, and paving documents, matching finished grades to the public right-of-way at the downhill edge and to existing college buildings uphill. Structural engineers worked with the DB contractor to value-engineer solutions that meet the Owner’s budget while retaining the staircase’s historic character, ensuring full code compliance and compatibility with existing architectural style. Retaining wall systems and footing layouts were optimized—stepping footings up the existing hillside—to reduce excavation and concrete quantities, thereby controlling cost and construction impacts.

Photos: Garco Construction

Teaming Partners

• Owner: Eastern Oregon University
• Architect: Peter Meijer Architect, PC
• Contractor: Garco Construction