Glensheen Pier Rehabilitation

Krech Ojard was selected by Miller Dunwidde Associates to provide marine and structural engineering services related to a pier rehabilitation at the historic Glensheen Mansion in Duluth, Minnesota.

The pier was originally built in 1908. Cast in place concrete was installed on top of precast concrete blocks pinned to timber cribbing filled with rip rap.

Only a few original drawings and a handful of historic photos were available. 3D scanning provided existing geometries and alignments to both existing shorelines and the boathouse. Additionally, the 3D scan allowed for existing quantities to be estimated quickly.

Quantity take-offs and preliminary design drawings were provided for contractor cost estimating. Final design will involve permit coordination with EPA, Corp of Engineers, DNR, and the University of Minnesota. The design needed to consider challenges and limitations of construction exposed to the open water of Lake Superior.

Read more details about the Glensheen Mansion overall at glensheen.org/about/

Other rehabilitation portions going on at the estate include site structures, terraces, garden walls, manor House boiler and steam/ condensate system replacement, and additional rehabilitation needs will include interior and exterior repairs including facades and brick tuckpointing, brick fencing structures and the boathouse. The mansion has been visited by over 3 million people since its original opening.