ARCO/Murray Successfully Delivers a Class A Self Storage Facility in Worcester, Massachusetts, Overcoming Complex Environmental Challenges
ARCO/Murray, leading experts in self storage construction, recently delivered another Class A facility on the East Coast.
Worcester, Massachusetts | May 6, 2025
Broadreach Retail Partners partnered with design-builder ARCO/Murray to successfully deliver a two story plus two story half basement, 126,260-square-foot self-storage facility in Worcester, Massachusetts. Despite encountering unforeseen environmental challenges, ARCO/Murray leveraged strategic planning and collaboration to ensure project success. The fully conditioned facility, which includes 934 self-storage units and three interior loading docks, is operated by CubeSmart Storage.
During the initial environmental site assessment, ARCO/Murray identified several significant challenges, including naturally occurring arsenic-contaminated soil, petroleum hydrocarbon contamination from an offsite underground storage tank, and a federally owned wetland replication area, that in total restricted nearly 20,000 square feet of usable workspace. Addressing these issues required a proactive and adaptive approach to maintain environmental and ecological compliance while keeping the project on schedule.
Worcester’s history of apple orchards contributed to the presence of naturally occurring arsenic in the soil at the project site. Compounding this initial discovery, ARCO discovered petroleum-based hydrocarbons from a leaking offsite storage tank that accounted for 11,000-square-feet of unusable contaminated work area. To navigate these environmental complexities, ARCO/Murray collaborated with environmental engineers to implement a comprehensive Remedial Action Plan (RAM). This continuous monitoring and remediation strategy ensured site safety while allowing construction to progress without delays or regulatory setbacks.
In addition to the soil contamination challenges, the project site included a federally protected 5,000-square-foot wetland replication area. To maintain ecological compliance while advancing construction, the solution involved excavating and replacing the pre-existing wetland with a 1.5:1 ratio of new wetland area. As a result, ARCO/Murray was responsible for reintroducing 8,000 square feet of newly restored and ecologically enhanced land, which included close collaboration with wetland scientists and certified landscaping specialists. The restoration process was meticulously executed, incorporating specialized organic loam, hydroseed, and a tailored plant selection designed to thrive in the region’s unique environmental conditions. By integrating innovative site solutions with sustainable practices, ARCO/Murray successfully balanced project execution with environmental responsibility, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality, compliant, and ecologically sound construction solutions.
With 19,000 square feet of land restricted due to environmental factors, the ARCO/Murray team strategically partnered with valued engineers to complete the design and construction of a 22-foot retaining wall. This maximized the net rentable storage area, enhanced site access, and offered additional parking for CubeSmart guests. Given the project’s zero lot line constraints, the retaining wall had to be constructed within an extremely limited space, requiring precise planning and execution. Considering the natural snowy/wintery climate of the Northeast, ARCO had to manage critical design challenges for the underground stormwater management with the retaining wall such as heavy snow loads, seasonal water management, and the harsh freeze-thaw cycles. This system was encased in stone and a water-resistant barrier and to efficiently channel water while preserving the structural integrity of the mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall. This solution not only ensured long-term durability but also demonstrated ARCO/Murray’s expertise in overcoming complex site limitations through innovative engineering and construction strategies.
Despite the project’s numerous challenges, from complex site conditions to early environmental discoveries, ARCO/Murray successfully delivered this expansive facility through meticulous site management, seamless collaboration with Broadreach Retail Partners, and equipping the project team with the right tools and resources. The light-gauge cold-formed steel structure stands two stories tall with two half basements, maximizing storage capacity while maintaining a durable and efficient design. Ideally situated near the intersection of Interstate 190 and Highway 12, the facility is surrounded by residential communities and just three miles from downtown Worcester. This project, completed in partnership with Broadreach Retail Partners, exemplifies ARCO/Murray’s expertise in overcoming obstacles and delivering high-quality, Class A self-storage facilities. Through innovative problem-solving, proactive planning, and a commitment to excellence, ARCO/Murray transformed a challenging site into a state-of-the-art storage solution that will be a valuable amenity to the Worcester community.
Peter Simmons proudly served as the Project Manager, while superintendent, Josh Holmes oversaw the day-to-day construction of the well-maintained jobsite.
About ARCO/Murray
ARCO/Murray is a single source national design and construction firm specializing in commercial construction and real estate needs for Fortune 500 companies and individual businesses. From planning to execution, ARCO/Murray’s expert team uses the most advanced design-build methodology to deliver the very best client experience.
As a leading builder of Self Storage facilities, ARCO/Murray helps owners, developers and brokers scale their projects nationwide and has delivered more than 16 million square feet of Class A Self Storage facilities across the country. To learn more about ARCO/Murray’s Self Storage capabilities, visit www.arcomurray.com/self-storage