The recent reconstruction project at Marv's True Value in Princeton, MN, was a major improvement years in the making. The property had long struggled with drainage problems that caused pooling water and pavement deterioration. The primary objective of this project was to correct the grading issues by properly resloping the parking lot and directing water toward a newly constructed retention pond.
Marv’s True Value is a locally owned hardware store serving the Princeton community for decades. Known for its friendly service and reliable inventory, the store plays an important role in the area’s small business landscape. Their busy parking lot serves both retail customers and delivery trucks, making proper drainage and a smooth driving surface essential.
The original design called for a retention pond measuring just over 2,000 square feet and 4 feet deep. However, during construction, the area experienced historic rainfall that caused the pond to overflow. To ensure it could handle future storms, the pond was expanded to roughly 4,000 square feet and deepened to 6 feet. Over 700 cubic yards of soil were excavated to achieve the final design. The finished pond now provides long-term drainage control for the property and surrounding area, helping prevent flooding and pavement damage.
Once the drainage system was completed, our crew began paving the front and back lots. The front parking lot, covering 25,000 square feet, received a 2-inch asphalt overlay to restore a smooth, durable surface.
The rear parking lot, which spanned 30,000 square feet, required a full reconstruction to correct long-standing slope and drainage issues. We performed full-depth milling of the existing pavement and reused the recycled millings as part of the new base layer. To achieve the proper grade, additional material was brought in—over 400 tons of recycled millings and 400 tons of imported gravel were placed and compacted before paving. In total, we installed over 900 tons of hot mix asphalt across both lots, creating a properly sloped surface designed to last for years to come.
Because this was a large, multi-phase project that impacted daily business operations, careful planning was essential. The Erickson Asphalt & Concrete team worked closely with the property owner to sequence each phase to minimize disruption for customers and deliveries. Weather also played a role, requiring flexibility and coordination to keep progress moving safely and efficiently despite the record rainfall.
We want to thank Marv’s True Value for trusting us with this important project. It was a pleasure helping bring this long-awaited improvement to life. The new parking lot and retention pond will provide lasting value and protection for years to come.
If your property struggles with drainage or aging pavement, contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our team specializes in comprehensive solutions that keep your pavement looking great and performing even better.
