Landscape Architecture

Our landscape architects strive to create spaces that greatly add to the livability of every residential community. Each project becomes unique through a creative design process and comprehensive design detailing.  With innovative designs and intimate knowledge of matching plants with the site, its soils, and the client’s goals, our project create successful landscapes.

The McGhie & Betts Planning process is centered around a comprehensive analysis of individual site attributes and conditions. All variables are studied as they relate to the existing character of the project. We have been successfully solving the puzzles associated with all forms of land development through intensive studies, sensitivity to environmental conditions, and familiarity of zoning codes.

McGhie and Betts realizes the importance that a streetscape image has for a community.  It provides the lasting impression for visitor, resident, or business patron alike.  Therefore, it is important to develop a well-functioning design that embodies the essence of a community.  Part of our work approach is to work closely with the community stakeholders to develop a design that meets its aesthetic goals, provides a consistent identity, maintains traffic flow for all modes of transportation, provides adequate parking, and promotes patronage of businesses.  Our public facilitation process is meant to provide an opportunity to understand concerns and goals, and develop a solution that enhances the community.

Our staff is fully experienced in providing design, construction, and surveying services for streetscape improvements in urban and suburban contexts.  Our transportation services, engineering, planning, and surveying staff are fully capable of providing initial review of the current service level of a street corridor, make recommendations for improvement of circulation, parking, and pedestrian environments, and provide complete engineering and landscape design documents for construction.  Some of the specialty services related to streetscape projects that MBI provides includes:

• Utility services, utility vault and tunnel design
• Transportation services:  Assessment of facilities, Level of Service recommendations, circulation and parking design, pavement and utility condition assessment.
• Construction staging to maintain circulation, utility service, and business access
• Expertise in pavement types, wear, and durability
• Expertise in cold-hardy, salt-tolerant plant materials based on soil conditions
• Infiltration methods and alternative Best Management Practices
• Visualization of proposed improvements

Developing park and recreational spaces are a unique form of land development.  Community parks can take the form of gardens, schoolyards, regional parks, and learning centers.  MBI incorporates the latest trends in recreational and environmental planning to create pleasing, durable, and educational experiences.