Haley Ward, Inc. Receives Dual Honors from MEREDA for Vertical Harvest and Katahdin Woods and Waters Projects
Recognized for Innovation, Sustainability, and Community Impact
BANGOR, MAINE – Haley Ward, Inc., an employee-owned professional engineering, architecture, environmental, planning, BIM, and surveying consulting firm, is proud to announce that two of its standout projects – Vertical Harvest in Westbrook, Maine, and the Tekαkαpimək Contact Station at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument – have each been recognized with a MEREDA Notable Project Award. These awards honor excellence in design, innovation, and impact across Maine’s built environment.
The Vertical Harvest project, in collaboration with general contractor Wright-Ryan Construction and designed by Harriman and GYDE Architects, represents the future of sustainable urban agriculture. Constructed on a former parking lot in downtown Westbrook, this 52,000-square-foot, four-story vertical greenhouse can produce two million pounds of fresh produce annually using advanced hydroponic systems. The energy-efficient, year-round farming facility conserves 85% more water than traditional farms and includes an inclusive employment model for individuals with disabilities. The structure also includes a multi-level parking garage, restoring lost public parking and blending public infrastructure with private innovation.
“This project demonstrates what’s possible when innovation and community values come together,” said Daniel Welch, Vice President and Building Information Modeling Director. “The design and construction coordination were among the most complex I’ve experienced. But the result is a first-of-its-kind facility in Maine that tackles food insecurity, supports economic inclusion, and sets the bar for sustainable construction.”
Haley Ward provided BIM services, environmental assessment services, and third-party erosion control inspections.
Also receiving MEREDA’s recognition is the Tekαkαpimək Contact Station, a remote, off-grid visitor center perched atop Lookout Mountain in the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in the present day and traditional homeland of the Penobscot Nation. Named after the Penobscot word meaning “as far as one can see,” the 7,896-square-foot structure embraces sustainability and Indigenous perspectives, featuring exhibits developed in partnership with the Wabanaki Nations. Haley Ward provided a wide array of services – planning, permitting, structural and civil engineering, surveying, and bridge and roadway design—collaborating closely with Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters, general contractor Wright-Ryan Construction, and an architectural team led by Saunders Architecture, in partnership with Alisberg Parker and Reed Hilderbrand. The result is a thoughtful, culturally significant destination that honors the land and its history.*
“This wasn’t just about constructing a building,” said Chip Haskell, PE, Vice President and Senior Project Manager. “It was about honoring the land, its history, and showcasing the natural beauty of this unique landscape. The Tekαkαpimək Contact Station reflects deep collaboration, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to sustainability.”
Travis Noyes, PE, Chief Operating Officer at Haley Ward, added: “Receiving two MEREDA Notable Project Awards in one year is a tremendous honor but for Haley Ward to be involved in three other projects that also won this year speaks to the breadth of how we support e communities in meaningful, lasting ways. We’re proud of the partnerships that made them possible and the legacy they’ll leave in Maine.”
Haley Ward also provided services to the Seaport Community Health Center in Belfast to Penobscot Community Health Care (PCHC) (civil engineering and surveying), Nightingale & State Street Campus Redevelopment, Portland (environmental), and The Malone Family Tower, Portland MaineHealth and Perkins&Will (BIM).
* All Wabanaki Cultural Knowledge and Intellectual Property shared within this project is owned by the Wabanaki Nations.