BASS, NIXON & KENNEDY, Inc. was formed in 1969 by Al Bass, Larry Nixon, and Don Kennedy for the practice of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering and land surveying. Original offices were established on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh, North Carolina. The three founding members of the firm all graduated from N.C. State University in Raleigh and met while employed by P.H. Brown & Associates. Al Bass had previous experience with International Paper Company and North Carolina Prison Enterprises while Don Kennedy worked in construction and with the North Carolina National Guard. Larry Nixon worked with P.H. Brown & Associates during attendance at N. C. State and was employed by the firm upon graduation.
The firm was established at an opportune time in the development of the Research Triangle area and has experienced its growth along with the area. In 1972 the firm moved to 7416 Chapel Hill Road or Highway 54 where it remained until June 2002 when it moved to new offices a mile away at 6310 Chapel Hill Road, Suite 250, Raleigh, also on Highway 54. The location was fortunate in that since 1972, the construction of Interstate 40 placed the offices at the location of Exit 290 on I-40. The location near Cary, North Carolina has contributed to the growth of the firm as Cary has grown to be the seventh largest city in the State. As the firm has grown, additional stockholders have joined the firm for the practice of land surveying, civil engineering, landscape architecture, fire protection engineering and mechanical engineering. In January, 2000, an office offering civil engineering and land surveying was started in Wake Forest to better serve clients in that area.
Al Bass completed two terms as a member of the North Carolina Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors which he chaired for two years, and was appointed by Governor Hunt to serve on the North Carolina State Building Code Council. Having been re-appointed by Governor Easley, Al is currently serving his second term. Larry Nixon also served on the North Carolina Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors which he chaired. He was President in 2004, as well as past Director, of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and an engineering curriculum evaluator for the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). Larry Nixon is presently serving as chair of the Building Committee for the Wolfpack Club for N.C. State University and is a Past-President of the N.C. State Engineering Foundation. Don Kennedy served as Chairman of the Cary Chamber of Commerce and has served as the Chairman of the Downtown Housing Development Corporation for the City of Raleigh. He is a member of the Steering Committee for the Triangle Land Conservancy.
Projects of note for which engineering services were provided include the thirty story Two Hannover Building in downtown Raleigh, the thirteen story Wake County Public Safety Facility in downtown Raleigh, Ram's Club Expansion and Football Center for Kenan Stadium, expansion of Minges Coliseum at East Carolina University, Student Recreation Center at East Carolina University, Research IV Building at the N.C. State University Centennial Campus, the Scientific Research Initiative Building for Duke University, and the Factory in Wake Forest.
The varied experience of the Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors in our Firm allows the accomplishment of may types of work and projects for clients in government, educational, institutional, and commercial fields. While a large part of our work is as a sub-consultant to architects. most of the civil engineering services are provided directly to the client, especially work involving site planning and permitting, cost inspections, and studies. In addition, the provision of construction management services both as a prime source and as a consultant is an increasing part of our practice. BNK serves as a prime consultant with overall project responsibilities or as a member of a larger team consisting typically of the Owner, Architect, Engineer, and Contractor.
The firm of BASS, NIXON & KENNEDY, Inc. is located on Highway 54 in West Raleigh at Exit 290 of Interstate 40. The location is convenient to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (eight minutes), downtown Raleigh (twelve minutes), Research Triangle Park (twelve minutes) and downtown Durham (16 minutes). Convenient access to Interstate 40 allows the firm quick access to eastern and western North Carolina and conversely, is a very convenient location for clients visiting the firm. The firm is housed in a 12,000 square foot building in the office park at 6310 Chapel Hill Road (Highway 54) Suite 250. The Wake Forest office, located at 10405-E Ligon Mill Road, not only offers clients engineering services in the Wake Forest area, but also Franklin County, Granville County, and Vance County.