Expansion of an existing food distribution facility for Aldi Inc. in Frederick, Md., is complete. As first reported here in October, integrated design-build firm A M King was chosen to expand the new cold storage center, which will boost the discount grocer’s existing perishables space.

A M King renovated the existing 100,000 ft² of refrigerated and freezer perishable space, including conversion to new temperature zones, and added a new 48,000 ft² fully racked freezer. Additional improvements include expansion of the ammonia refrigeration system and energy-saving modifications on new and existing equipment. The employee parking, which now accommodates 236 cars, is double the original size, and the expanded truck apron allows for more parking and improved site/trucking logistics.

The building was designed to take into account requirements of the local airport authority and to protect forested conservation areas located south of the property. FAA regulations required a large, complex retaining wall that would support most of the cold-storage expansion. The result is a wall built of large-format, concrete blocks that stretches nearly 40' high and 275' long, covering 10,000 ft² and supporting more than 95,000 yd³ of soil.