A.E.R.O Therapeutic Center

Eriksson Engineering Associates served as the civil and traffic engineering consultant for the new A.E.R.O. Therapeutic Center, a 150,000-square-foot facility designed exclusively for students with special needs. One of the largest special education facilities in the Midwest, the center accommodates approximately 550 students, ages 3 to 22, and 375 staff members.

A key component of the project was the site planning process, which required careful consideration of the unique transportation and accessibility needs of multiple student populations. Working closely with Legat Architects and project stakeholders, EEA helped develop a campus layout that allows distinct groups of students to arrive and depart through separate entrances while remaining part of one cohesive educational environment. This approach improved safety, operational efficiency, and the overall student experience.

Civil engineering services included site grading, parking lot design, pedestrian pathway networks, stormwater management, and utility coordination. The project presented several infrastructure challenges, including conflicts with existing utilities and a large gas main that limited routing options for new utility connections. EEA worked collaboratively with the design team to develop practical solutions while maintaining flexibility for landscape and courtyard design.

EEA’s traffic engineering team played an integral role in the early design stages, helping shape site circulation, drop-off operations, and traffic flow throughout the campus. The final design utilizes three sides of the building during arrival and dismissal periods, effectively distributing traffic and reducing congestion.

In addition, EEA provided strategic guidance regarding ownership of an adjacent roadway segment partially controlled by the client. By recommending that the roadway be dedicated to the Village, the project team reduced potential liability concerns and ensured the roadway would function as part of the public right-of-way.