Ports & Waterways
Fabric Buildings for Ports and Waterways—It’s All About Keeping Things Dry
Whether you’re running a marina, a commercial boatyard, an inland port, an international seaport, or you’re responsible for military amphibious craft, Legacy fabric buildings have you covered in all the right ways
When we build structures at ports and waterways, we are typically part of a larger supply chain operation that involves many moving pieces. Because we customize all of our buildings, our engineering team can make sure the building you need will fit in the spot where you need it—a critical consideration when working with a waterfront. Our EpoxxiShield™ epoxy coatings protect our steel frames from corrosion in virtually any environment, even when part of the framing is submerged.
Tension Fabric Building Solutions
Bulk Commodity and Warehouse Storage
Ports and waterway terminals see it all. Bulk materials such as salt, sand, fertilizer, grain crops, animal feed, and DDGS. Break bulk items and containerized shipments. Your facility may serve as a trans-loading and transportation hub, but interim storage is frequently part of that process. In some cases, terminals serve product-specific needs such as fertilizer sorting and blending.
Working on the waterfront presents some significant challenges that become key considerations in building design. Moisture leakage from outside and condensation that forms indoors can wreak havoc on products in storage and the building itself. Corrosion is a constant threat, from ongoing exposure to salt, fertilizer, or other caustic materials in storage and also from environmental conditions such as high humidity or salty coastal air.
You need sufficient storage capacity, but also enough space to assure safe, efficient maneuverability for trucks and loaders. For long-term value, the building should provide flexibility to accommodate growth. Costs (upfront and operations) are always a factor, for public port authorities and private operators. And, sometimes, you need an expedited solution.
Steel buildings are notoriously vulnerable to moisture intrusion and corrosion problems, and repairs and maintenance are expensive. Legacy fabric buildings offer outstanding strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. They are engineered to meet all applicable safety and environmental requirements and building codes including NFPA 303 regulations for marinas and boatyards.
Solid steel framing and our ExxoTec™ fabric assure lightweight design without sacrificing structural strength or durability, no matter the climate. Our buildings are proven to stand up to predictable and unpredicted weather extremes including high winds and hurricanes, snow, and seismic loads.
Our EpoxxiShield™ epoxy coatings provide superior, long-lasting corrosion protection for our framing, and our fabric is impervious to corrosion.
Every Legacy building is 100% custom-designed based on your operational needs, location, and desired features:
- Clear span construction meets any specs for length, width, and peak height
- Can accommodate hanging loads such as fire suppression systems, conveyors, and cranes
- Straight sidewalls maximize storage capacity and make it much easier for equipment to maneuver down aisles and into every corner
- Any number/size door openings can be added for easy, efficient access for trucks, loaders, dockside cranes, etc.
- Minimal maintenance increases building life and ROI
Vessel Storage
Watercraft are designed to operate in the elements, but protecting them under cover whenever possible prolongs their life and helps prevent costly maintenance and repairs. Where winter weather is harsh, proper shelter is essential.
Legacy fabric buildings have become a popular choice for boatyards and coastal, river, or lakeside marinas and yacht clubs. That’s because they can be so much more than a boathouse, creating efficient and comfortable working space that shelters workers as well as boats.
Uninsulated, our white fabric allows enough natural light to enter through the roof and walls for daytime work without artificial lighting. That reduces ongoing maintenance and energy costs. The fabric is non-thermally conductive, so interior temperatures remain cooler in summer and warmer in winter. However, insulation and an interior liner can be added for even greater climate control.
Our fabric buildings look like conventional construction, with a quality, welcome appearance that can be branded with colors, logos, and more
Ancillary Facilities
Looking for the ideal structure to house vehicles and equipment, a maintenance shop, or other business-related activities? Our buildings are ideal for these purposes, too. They can stand alone, be attached to an existing brick-and-mortar building, or be combined with a warehouse facility.
Our Process
Whether you have a complete building spec or just an idea in mind, our team will lead you through the design process with expertise and efficiency.
Our in-house engineering team leads the charge on creative solutions that benefit all project stakeholders—namely you.
Legacy is an end-to-end manufacturer, meaning your project will be built right on site in our 87,000 sq ft facility in St. Cloud, MN.
Now to the good stuff. Your installation benefits from our safe, effective process in one of two ways—your Legacy rep onsite with local crews or full install services.
Case Study
Five Rivers Sand and Salt Storage
64,200 sq ft Salt and Sand Storage Buildings | Van Buren, AR
In 2014, Five Rivers Distribution added a 15,000 sq ft Legacy fabric building in Van Buren, AR, to store bulk materials like feed, salt, and fertilizer.
View Case StudyDuraport Marine and Rail Terminal Warehouse
51,360 sq ft Drywall Storage Building | Bayonne, NJ
Duraport contacted Legacy for a building with a cast-in-place concrete wall foundation, connected to an existing brick office building.
View Case StudyIEI Barge Services Storage Building
63,010 sq ft Tension Fabric Building for Fertilizer Storage and Blending | East Dubuque, IL
In 2015, IEI Barge Services chose Legacy’s lightweight design for a fertilizer storage building, solving soil and corrosion challenges affordably.
View Case StudyNew Yard LLC Marine Storage Building
19,200 sq ft Marine Storage Building | Portland, ME
This Portland, ME facility stores boats with insulated walls, climate control, and natural light from roof panels for optimal protection.
View Case StudyThe DeLong Company, Inc.
69,600 sq ft DDGS Storage Facility
The DeLong Company and Legacy built a 69,600-ft DDGS export facility, opening Wisconsin to new agricultural markets.
View Case StudyTestimonials
The Legacy construction crew was very professional and courteous.
Because of our soil issues, we simply couldn't afford to construct a more traditional building. The concrete costs made a more traditional building cost prohibitive. The lightweight design of our Legacy building allowed us to reach a compromise between soil conditions and cost. Regarding the design and construction phases of the building, I can say that the process went exceptionally well. When I made eleventh-hour changes to the job, Legacy handled them with ease. They finished the job well ahead of schedule, worked safely, and followed our stringent safety requirements to the letter.
The new building will protect the salt supply.
It will be protected from being compromised by wind and precipitation. Once the general contractor completed the footings and floors, Legacy installed the fabric building very quickly, in about two weeks. It was a very positive process with professional communication between Legacy and Dewberry throughout the project.
Everything that Legacy said they were going to do, they did.
We obviously had contracts, but the overall feel was kind of like the olden days, where you felt you could just take somebody at their word. Price is a major factor in any purchase decision. But we didn't blink at having to pay a little more for the Legacy structure. Sometimes you have to spend more to get a higher quality building. The installation was very smooth. Legacy's in-house crew worked in cold winter conditions, and they erected the building within five days. They were a very professional group, and I'd highly recommend them. We like the sidewall columns going straight up instead of curving down like in our hoop buildings. First off, it lets us put more product in there. And our front-end loaders can get much closer to the walls and drive straight down the sides. It gives us more working room and increases our efficiency. In the long run I think this will be a building that requires less maintenance. Legacy was so outstanding to work with that I didn't even bother looking at pricing elsewhere.
Start Your Project
Partnerships Equals Structural Integrity
Whatever your industry, project, and desired application, the Legacy team of engineers will make your vision a reality. Start your project with the team who will finish strong—like our partnership.