Archives for Spring 2025

OUTLOOK NEWSLETTER ( Spring 2025 )

LEE HEALTH BREAKS GROUND ON THE NEW FORT MYERS HOSPITAL

Slated to open in early 2028, the newest Lee Health hospital is state-of-the-art.

Lee Health’s newest hospital in Fort Myers has now officially broken ground. This milestone marks the beginning of a significant project that will help meet the growing healthcare needs of Southwest Florida. The hospital, located at the intersection of Challenger Boulevard and Colonial Boulevard, near I-75, will be Lee Health’s most advanced facility to date.

The new hospital will cover 560,000 square feet on a 53-acre site. It will have 168 beds, including 24 ICU beds, 44 emergency department beds, and 10 operating rooms for inpatient care. Along with the hospital, there will be a 125,000 square foot medical office and surgery center, which will house the Lee Health Musculoskeletal Institute, focused on orthopedic surgeries and treatments. Built to withstand Florida’s weather, the hospital will include hurricane-resistant construction and backup generators to ensure reliable care during any potential severe conditions.

Expected to be completed in early 2028, this new hospital will provide specialized care and room for future growth. Beyond improving healthcare, the new hospital will also serve as a significant economic driver for the area, creating hundreds of jobs and supporting the local economy.

We’ve had the privilege of working alongside Lee Health for many years, contributing to nearly every hospital in their network across Southwest Florida, including Lee Memorial Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, HealthPark Medical Center, Cape Coral Hospital, and numerous outpatient facilities. Now, we’re proud to be part of the new Fort Myers Hospital project as well. As the civil engineering firm responsible for the site design, utilities, stormwater management, traffic analysis, and infrastructure, Johnson Engineering has been an integral part of this project from the very beginning, working alongside Flad Architects the entire way.

Being a part of this project is about more than just engineering-it’s about contributing to the health and well-being of our community. We are proud to be part of a state-of-the-art facility that will provide essential healthcare services to our neighbors, as well as our coworkers, friends, and family members. This project reflects our commitment to not only supporting Lee Health but also creating a lasting impact on our region.

We look forward to continuing our work with Lee Health on other projects and seeing the new Fort Myers Hospital come to life. For more information on this project, contact Dana Hume, PE, at [email protected].

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JOHNSON ENGINEERING NOW OFFERS IBNB PERMITTED MONITORING SERVICES

We are excited to announce that we now have certified Imperiled Beach-Nesting Bird (IBNB) Permitted Monitors on staff! Four members of our environmental team, Dr. Jennifer Korn, CWB; Savannah Richman, CE; Greg Thomas, CE; and David Isley, have completed specialized training and certification with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), enabling us to offer IBNB monitoring services to our clients.

As of October 2024, project activities authorized through an FWC Incidental Take Permit require the oversight of an IBNB Permitted Monitor. These monitors are trained to identify and survey shorebird and seabird species, including American oystercatchers, snowy plovers, least terns, and black skimmers, which are considered imperiled in Florida. Our monitors are equipped to help avoid harm or disturbance to these species during project activities, ensuring compliance with FWC regulations.

Our team’s expertise in bird identification and avian survey techniques, combined with their experience monitoring active nests, allows us to provide valuable support to clients engaged in projects near sensitive beach-nesting bird habitats. With our newly acquired certification, Johnson Engineering is well-positioned to help you navigate the requirements of IBNB monitoring, ensuring both regulatory compliance and environmental protection.

We are excited to offer this expanded service and look forward to working with our clients on future projects. For more information on how we can assist on your projects, please contact our Director of Water Resources & Environmental Services, Laura Brady Herrero at [email protected].

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CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR WATER WELL CONTRACTORS: A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO PROTECT FLORIDA’S GROUNDWATER

On February 20, 2025, the Johnson Engineering Water Resources Department in Fort Myers, Florida, partnered with Lee County’s Department of Natural Resources (LCDNR) to offer continuing education courses for the Water Well Contractor Continuing Education Program. These courses provided valuable insight into critical industry topics, ensuring professionals stay informed about regulatory compliance and best practices.

The sessions featured an overview of Water Well Permitting and Construction Requirements (Chapter 62-532, FAC) and New Potable Water Well Permitting in Delineated Areas (Chapter 62-524, FAC), led by Johnson Engineering geologist, Alec Piironen, PG. Additionally, Johnson Engineering’s electrical engineer, Wayne Wright, PE, led a session on the application of Surge Protection Devices. These topics are crucial for water well contractors as they navigate regulatory requirements and industry standards.

The classroom setting provided a unique opportunity for attendees to engage in face-to-face discussions with regulatory staff, contractors, and consultants, fostering interactive conversations and knowledge exchange. For the Johnson Engineering team, this event was a valuable chance to network and collaborate with other professionals dedicated to safeguarding Florida’s vital groundwater resources.

We’d like to extend a special thank you to Lee County’s Groundwater Manager, Lee Werst, and the entire LCDNR team for their dedication to providing publicly available resources and overseeing the construction, abandonment, and modification of groundwater wells within Lee County, Florida. Their commitment plays a vital role in ensuring the sustainability of our County’s groundwater.

Together, we continue working toward a safer and more sustainable future for Florida’s water resources.  For more information, contact Alec Piironen, PG at [email protected].

 

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Expanding Our Services Under Apex Companies

As we continue to navigate the path of integration into Apex Companies, Johnson Engineering, Weiler Engineering, and Water Science can now work as a united team as the newest members of the Apex family. This exciting expansion allows us to offer even more comprehensive solutions for client projects. While we remain the same trusted local team, we can bring a broader range of services to the table.

With Apex’s expertise in environmental remediation, water treatment, and energy management, along with Weiler’s civil and structural engineering, and Water Science’s advanced water resource solutions, we can now provide a complete suite of services under one roof. Our combined teams have worked on many well-known, large-scale projects throughout Southwest Florida, delivering innovative solutions to complex challenges. Whether you need help with site development, stormwater management, water quality services, or environmental assessments, our team is ready to deliver the best solutions for your projects.

With more resources at our disposal, we’re better equipped to ensure your projects succeed from start to finish. This integration of expertise allows us to team up more seamlessly, offering you the best possible service and cutting-edge solutions, all while maintaining the local knowledge and commitment you’ve come to expect.

We look forward to continuing our partnership and supporting your goals with our expanded capabilities. For more information on all the services we can offer, please visit our websites: apexcos.com, weilerengineering.org, waterscienceassociates.com, johnsonengineering.com, or contact Juli Kern at [email protected].

 

 

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