More Than a Landscape Project: Transforming the Bureau of Reclamation’s Yuma Area Office

At first glance, the Bureau of Reclamation’s Yuma Area Office Xeriscape Project may sound like a simple landscaping upgrade. In reality, it was a nearly $1.48 million subcontract that brought together demolition, earthwork, concrete, structural steel, asphalt, and specialty construction throughout an existing federal complex.

Working under FedVet Construction, Alvarez & Shaw helped prepare the Yuma facility for its transition to a more water-conscious desert landscape while also constructing new spaces where employees could gather, eat, and escape the Arizona sun.

The work began with carefully planned selective demolition. Crews removed an existing large shade structure, drinking fountain, sections of concrete, approximately 100 linear feet of fencing, and portions of asphalt. Existing buildings, hardscape, utilities, irrigation lines, trees, and landscaping outside the work area had to remain protected throughout construction. Demolished concrete, wood, steel, and other materials were hauled off-site and documented through required waste reports.

Alvarez & Shaw also performed the clearing, grubbing, earthwork, and grading needed to prepare designated areas for the larger xeriscape conversion. Working around established facilities and underground systems required precision. This was not a clear, open jobsite where crews could simply start digging. Every obstruction, irrigation line, sign, tree, and utility had to be identified and protected before the surrounding ground could be reshaped.

One of the most visible parts of the project was the construction of three new steel shade structures. The main canopy provided approximately 1,768 square feet of covered space, while two smaller canopies added another 278 square feet each. Together, the structures created more than 2,300 square feet of new shaded gathering space.

Their construction included spread footings, reinforced concrete slabs, structural steel framing, metal roof decking, gutters, and concrete walkways connecting the smaller canopies to the existing sidewalk system. Alvarez & Shaw coordinated the required rebar, concrete, and welding inspections throughout the process, ensuring each phase was completed before the next could begin.

The large canopy became more than just a source of shade. It was designed as an outdoor gathering area complete with seating, an outdoor kitchen, food-preparation space, and a barbecue. The finished structure gave the facility a practical place for employees to meet, eat, and take a break from Yuma’s intense desert heat.

The project also included improvements to the facility’s security entrance. Alvarez & Shaw removed the existing double-leaf motorized gate and adjacent fencing, installed a new rolling double-leaf gate on the existing track, and restored the asphalt disturbed during construction. New materials were carefully matched to the existing fencing so the improvements blended naturally with the surrounding facility.

Because this was a federal project, the work involved far more than construction alone. Materials were required to comply with Buy America provisions, field employees were required to carry OSHA 30 certifications, and operations followed federal safety requirements, including EM 385-1-1. The project also required Davis-Bacon certified payroll, daily reporting, detailed submittals, and close coordination with the prime contractor and federal representatives.

This project reflects what Alvarez & Shaw does best: taking several complicated scopes, bringing them together, and building something that is both functional and made to last. From the work below ground to the steel overhead, every part of the project required planning, coordination, and the ability to adapt to the conditions already in place.

The result was more than a landscape improvement. It was a complete site transformation that supported water conservation, improved the facility’s outdoor spaces, and added durable infrastructure that will serve the Bureau of Reclamation for years to come.