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Normandy Oaks Park, a new parks and recreation hot spot, is finally open

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The largest park in the city of Royal Oak, Normandy Oaks, is now officially open to the public. The parks and recreation project, led by the Nowak & Fraus Engineers (NFE) Design Team, helped bring more green space to the community. NFE transformed the former Normandy Oaks Golf Course, located off Delemere Boulevard between Nakota and Normandy, into a 40-acre multi-purpose park.
 
Following an initial request for proposal (RFP) in 2018, the NFE team was selected by the City of Royal Oak and the Department of Public Works (D.P.W). Despite the challenges of a historically wet spring in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, NFE worked with the city and the contractor team to see the park successfully completed by the second quarter of 2021. The Park made its grand debut on July 10 to hundreds of Royal Oak residents and has been a popular family setting throughout the remainder of the summer and fall.
 
The design team prioritized the reuse of as many preexisting features and natural elements as possible. As such, in order to accomplish this, NFE worked with Landscape Architects & Planners, Inc. to orchestrate an extensive community engagement process with city officials and residents. Central to NFE’s vision for Normandy Oaks Park was to honor the community’s wishes. This included a design charrette, an opinion survey, six public meetings, and numerous teleconferences with the residents of Royal Oak. Approximately 2,500 city residents and interested parties participated in the overall park development planning and design process.
 
Utilizing the comments and feedback from the many participants in the master planning charettes, the NFE Team developed multiple concepts for Normandy Oaks Park, while working with city officials to reach the final design layout.
 
One of the most notable aspects of this project was its dedication to incorporating sustainable stormwater management solutions. The Southeast Michigan Resilience Fund, managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, awarded the city of Royal Oak a $228,000 grant to go towards sustainable enhancements within the park. The project utilized this funding to build a green stormwater infrastructure, including bioswales planted with native species that capture stormwater runoff from the parking lot. The water is then routed to an open pond for further stormwater quality and pre-treatment, before finally discharging into an existing detention facility. Stormwater from the site cascades through four separate stormwater management facilities providing superior stormwater quality as it is discharged off site.

Now complete, Normandy Oaks Park offers a large selection of amenities, including:

  • Two natural turf soccer fields with full irrigation
  • Open air pavilion with restrooms
  • Paved parking area
  • New playground with safe synthetic turf for fall protection
  • Sledding hill constructed from excess earthen spoils from the project
  • Splash pad
  • A nature area restored as a historical savannah prairie
  • Paved multi use trails and ADA compliant aggregate trails
  • Pedestrian bridge connecting Normandy Oaks Park to adjacent Elks Park

The successful completion of Normandy Oaks Park is a gratifying win for NFE’s parks and recreation development team. NFE is thankful and proud to partner with the City of Royal Oak on this important project for the residents of Royal Oak.

NFE Projects in Construction

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In our 51-year history, NFE has worked on a variety of both public and private projects. We always have multiple projects under construction where we provide construction engineering services. Below are a few of our more substantial projects that are currently in construction, along with the services provided:

  • City of Birmingham, Maple Road Reconstruction
    Services: Surveying, design, permitting, and construction staking and layout
  • Village of Franklin, Franklin Road Streetscape Enhancement
    Services:     Surveying, design, engineering, inspection, construction management and construction staking
  • DTMB, Michigan State Police Consolidation, Walker, Michigan
    Services:     Surveying, site planning, engineering, and construction administration
  • City of Royal Oak, Normandy Oaks Park, Development of New 10-acre Park
    Services:     Surveying, site engineering, inspection, construction management, and construction staking
  • United Shore, Pedestrian Bridge connecting Two Buildings, Pontiac, Michigan
    Services:     Surveying, site planning, landscape architecture, construction staking and layout, construction assistance/shop drawing review, and bridge monitoring
  • Milestone Development, Town Houses of Maple Hill, Rochester Hills, Michigan
    Services:     Surveying, engineering design, permitting, and construction staking and layout
  • JS Capitol Group, 120 Broadway Mix-Use Development, Lake Orion, Michigan
    Services:     Surveying, site-civil design, construction staking, as-builts, and project close-out
  • West Bloomfield Township, Orchard Lake Boulevard Streetscape with Public Art
    Services:     Survey, site design, landscape architecture, and construction administration
  • Spero Housing Group and Southwest Solutions, Coolidge Place Apartments, Oak Park, Michigan
    Services:     Surveying, site-civil design, and construction staking and layout
  • General Motors, Hamtramck Plant Expansion (DHAM) with Multiple Buildings, Detroit, Michigan
    Services:     Survey, construction layout, and staking soil borings
  • Glendale Orchard, LLC, Hillside Memory Care Facility, Ann Arbor, Michigan
    Services:     Surveying, design, permitting, and construction staking and layout

NFE can handle all projects needing civil engineering, land surveying, land planning and/or construction engineering services. Call us at 248-332-7931 to discuss your next project.

NFE Announces Team Promotions

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Since June 2021, NFE has promoted several team members for their hard work and contributions to the firm:

Brad Brickel, PE has been promoted to Principal from Senior Associate. Brad has 20 years of civil engineering experience and will continue to be responsible for project management. Brad oversees the design and construction engineering services for several municipal engineering accounts, as well as private land development projects. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Michigan Tech and has his P.E. license from the state of Michigan.

Jason Longhurst, PE has been promoted to Principal from Senior Associate. Jason has 19 years of civil engineering experience, and his main responsibility will continue to be project management. He oversees design and management services on a wide range of public improvement and private land development projects that vary in size, use, and complexity. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Michigan Tech and is licensed to practice in the states of Michigan, Tennessee and Pennsylvania.

Steve Sutton, PE, LSIT has been promoted to Principal from Senior Associate. Steve has 22 years of civil engineering experience, and his main role will continue to be project manager for the design and construction administration of complex municipal engineering and private land development projects. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Michigan Tech and has a P.E. in the state of Michigan along with passing Part 1 of the P.S. exam in the state of Michigan.

Other promotions include Robert Fraus to Senior Associate from Associate, Steve Evans to Survey Coordinator from Crew Chief, Tim Wood, PE to Engineer III from Engineer II, Ellen Marani, PE to Engineer II from Engineer I and Alan Panley to Engineer II from Engineer I.

Congratulations to all eight team members on their well-deserved advancements.

NFE Announces New Principal

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NFE is pleased to announce Carol Thurber, PE, CFM is joining the firm as a Principal. Carol will be responsible for developing new business opportunities in Macomb County.

“NFE is pleased to have Carol join our team,” stated Jeff Huhta, Managing Partner of NFE. “Carol has a great deal of experience and success in civil and municipal engineering. She understands intricate problems in design and can offer a solution quickly and effortlessly on any project. As we continue to grow and expand our capabilities in Macomb County, we are confident Carol will become a valued resource for our clients and her engineering team.”
 
Carol Thurber comes to NFE with over 30 years of civil experience in the public and private sectors, where she specializes in the study, design and construction of water mains, sanitary sewer, storm water and trail development. Carol is always interested in finding different solutions to engineering challenges and welcomes creative thinking. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State  and is a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM).
 
“I am very excited to join NFE,” states Carol Thurber. “NFE’s leadership, engineering design and company culture clearly make them stand out as a premier engineering firm. They are very well positioned to experience growth in Macomb County – I am confident I can play a lead role in helping them accomplish this goal.”

NFE Acquires Assets of Fazal Khan & Associates

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At the end of 2019, NFE acquired the assets of Fazal Khan & Associates, Inc., a former civil engineering/land surveying firm. NFE has moved into the 43279 Schoenherr Road, Sterling Heights location, keeping many of Fazal Khan’s former employees, with Carol Thurber, PE, CFM in charge of the office.

With offices both in Oakland and Wayne counties, this deal extends the firm’s presence in Macomb County, giving NFE the powerhouse to provide both municipal and private civil engineering/land surveying services to the entire Southeast Michigan area and beyond.

“What we get with this deal is some really seasoned civil engineering/engineering tech personnel,” stated Jeffrey Huhta, Managing Partner at NFE. “We have been wanting to expand our services in Macomb County for some time and this deal was a win-win for the firm.”

New Year, New Beginnings – NFE Macomb Office Gets New Location

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A new year, brings new changes and the Nowak & Fraus Macomb team started the first quarter of 2022, closing the doors to one office location and opening the doors to another.

On Tuesday, February 15, the team moved to their new location:

 48680 Van Dyke, Suite 200
Shelby Township, MI 48317

In 2019, NFE first expanded their offices to the Macomb area and decided to move offices, to a more central location within the community.

“We are looking forward to our new Nowak and Fraus location in Shelby Township.  Our new, updated and more accessible office, will help us to better serve our clients,” said Carol Thurber, PE in charge of the Macomb office.

NFE looks forward to continuing to provide municipal and private civil engineering and land surveying services to the Macomb community for many years to come.

Maple Road Reconstruction in Downtown Birmingham Complete

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The City of Birmingham Engineering Department contracted with NFE to provide land surveying and civil engineering services for the 0.47-mile reconstruction of Maple Road from Southfield Road to Woodward Avenue to complete Phase 2 of a three-phased project for Birmingham to update their downtown area. Phase 1 was NFE’s award-winning Old Woodward Avenue Reconstruction project, from Willits Street to Brown Road, completed in 2018.

The project consisted of the complete reconstruction of 2,000 feet of Maple Road from Chester Street to Woodward Avenue with new concrete pavement and streetscape. The amenities included a narrower road, wider sidewalks, parallel parking spaces, street lighting, raised planter beds with plantings and trees, light poles, granite bench seating, irrigation system, and cell phone charging stations. This project matched the 400 feet of Maple Road at the intersection of Old Woodward Avenue that was previously reconstructed as part of Phase 1.

Also included in the project was the reconfiguration of the intersection at Maple and Southfield roads as well as asphalt resurfacing on Maple Road between Southfield Road and Chester Street. The intersection was realigned from a Y-intersection to a more standard 90-degree T-intersection, with upgrades to traffic signalization, incorporation of a pedestrian island within the intersection, and landscape enhancements in the City park west of Southfield Road. These changes resulted in a substantial improvement to overall safety and aesthetics for this gateway into Birmingham’s downtown.

An aerial of the reconfiguration of Maple Road/Southfield Road intersection (left) and the City park and island at Southfield Road to help with pedestrian safety (right)

Nearly five miles of underground utilities were updated along the project route, consisting of combined sewer main, storm drains, building sewer services, subgrade underdrains, water mains, building water services, traffic signal cables, 8 mast arm standards, fiber conduit, electrical system cable, and irrigation lines. Also, installed on the project was over 8,000 square yards of concrete pavement, over 4,400 square yards of asphalt pavement, 4,500 square yards of concrete streetscape sidewalks, 56 exposed aggregate raised curb planters for perennials and trees, 4,000 plantings, 60 trees, pavement markings, signage, and other amenities.

NFE provided detailed construction landscape plans based on the Master Plan for the downtown area completed by another consultant. Also, NFE provided construction staking and engineering support during construction. During all phases of construction, the City made sure an inviting, safe atmosphere was maintained for the public.

During construction, five miles of underground utilities were updated and sidewalk barriers were maintained during all phases for the public’s safety

Maple Road is an urban principal arterial road on the National Highway System; therefore, the project received federal funding through an MDOT Local Agency Grant and a Safety Grant for the Southfield Road intersection modifications. The total project cost was $7,200,000. Construction was successfully completed between April and November 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The project beautifies the downtown area, making it more modern, walkable and structurally sound, as well as enhances and enlivens the business district. NFE was proud to partner with the City of Birmingham on such an important project for the community!

The City of Birmingham updated the aging infrastructure in its downtown area, while improving pedestrian walkability and safety, as well as beatifying it with an enhanced streetscape design

For more information on this project or to engage us on your future roadway projects, please contact Brett Buchholz (bbuchholz@nfe-engr.com) and/or Paul Tulikangas (ptulikangas@nfe-engr.com) at 248-332-7931.

Madison Heights’ New Fitness Court

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NFE, a consulting engineer to Madison Heights, has partnered with the City for the construction of a new fitness court. The fitness court recently opened and is at Huffman Park located at 400 Cowan Avenue, near Eleven Mile and John R. roads.

The outdoor exercise facility has more than 30 pieces of equipment for residents and guests to use. The facility is part of an initiative by the National Fitness Campaign, a nationwide consulting organization that partners with cities and schools to plan, build and fund infrastructure that improves the health of community members.

The City of Madison Heights was selected from hundreds of applicants around the country. The $150,000 court was funded in part by a $50,000 grant from sponsor Priority Heath in partnership with the National Fitness Campaign. The fitness court is in more than 150 cities nationwide.

The fitness court offers seven different body weight exercises, from pull-ups to pushups, with different exercises. The aim is to improve the community’s overall quality of life by providing free outdoor opportunities in a dynamic new way.

NFE is proud to have partner with Madison Heights and to contribute to the community where we have provided consulting engineering services to for 44 years.

Photos from the Fitness Court Ribbon Cutting on June 11, 2021.

Funding Commitment Secured for Silver Lake Road Connector Trail

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The Southern Lakes Parks and Recreation (SLPR) Commission was recently awarded a funding commitment from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust in the amount of $300,000 for the Silver Lake Road Connector Trail project. This non-motorized trail will connect the communities of Linden, Argentine Township, Fenton and Fenton Township in Genesee County.

NFE assisted with the funding as well as another $1.5 million acquired from county and state Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funds for this non-motorized trail project. NFE has also provided the following services: marketing graphics for community meetings, trail blazing, preliminary cost estimates, and preliminary trail design including the identification of any site constraints, ADA compliance issues and environmental concerns.

This project was conceived as part of a robust parks and recreation planning process done on multiple levels involving eight different municipal organizations. All of the planning processes were opened to the public for comments and consisted of numerous meetings, including public input sessions, public workshops and public hearings. During one of the meetings, the LAFF Area Trails Coalition, a non-profit organization, presented to the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission staff over 500 letters of support from local residents. As a result of all these endeavors, the Silver Lake Road Connector segment received a Tier-1 priority ranking. Tier 1 segments are defined in the Regional Plan as short-term trails that hold strong public support and are ranked highest priority for development.

The Silver Lake Road Connect Trail will connect existing non-motorized facilities at the northwest corner of Arbor Drive and Silver Lake Road within the City of Fenton with existing non-motorized facilities at the northwest corner of East Broad Street and Silver Lake Road within the City of Linden. The trail will be constructed along the south side of Silver Lake Road through the City of Linden, City of Fenton and Fenton Township, and will connect Triangle Park in the City of Linden with Silver Lake Park in the City of Fenton. A pedestrian crossing just east of Jennings Road will be provided linking the north and south side of Silver Lake Road, utilizing a pedestrian activated rapid-flashing beacon-type advance warning system and safe harbor island.

The 2.0 mile long project will consist of a ten-foot-wide bituminous paved trail with a minimum of two feet of clearance on either side. The trail will border the north shore line of Silver Lake where modifications will be made to the lake edge to provide erosion control, bank stabilization and accommodate subgrade fill for trail construction. In areas where the trail will encounter wetlands, it is proposed that 14-foot-wide reinforced boardwalks will be installed with all improvements meeting AASHTO and ADA requirements.

The purple dotted line shows the proposed trail connecting the cities of Linden and Fenton

The Silver Lake Road Regional Trail Connector will positively impact thousands of users annually by providing safe transit to all four communities where there is currently a major transportation deficiency for direct non-motorized transportation. The trail will exceed requirements for ADA compliance and be universally accessible to all visitors.

NFE will continue to work with SLPR and the municipal communities to prepare final design plans and construction documents, along with full bidding and construction services. Once completed, this trail segment will provide safe non-motorized connection to many schools and parks as well as recreational, cultural, commercial and residential facilities and areas that these communities offer.

NFE is proud to assist this consortium of municipal organizations with this endeavor. For more information on this project or to engage us on your future non-motorized trail project, please contact Jeff Huhta at 248-332-7931 or jhuhta@nfe-engr.com.

Expanding Our Project Portfolio

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In our 50-year history, NFE has work on a variety of really large to very small projects, along with everything in between, and we are proud our project portfolio continues to grow today. Below are a few of the projects that we have been awarded recently:

  • Independence Township, Consulting Engineering Services, Clarkston, Michigan
  • City of Madison Heights, R-3 Residential Street Reconstruction and Watermain Replacement Program, Madison Heights, Michigan
  • DTMB/DNR, Brimley State Park Toilet Shower Building Replacement, Brimley, Michigan
  • Troy Medical, Survey Work for 2649 Crooks, Troy, Michigan
  • United Shore, Parking Expansion, Pontiac, Michigan
  • Frankel Development, Clarkston Road Paving (Adams to Stoney Creek), Oakland Township, Michigan
  • Tamaroff Honda, Boundary/Topo Survey for 4591 Ennismore Drive, Clarkston, Michigan
  • City of Birmingham, Pierce Street Alley Design, Birmingham, Michigan
  • DTMB/DOC, Ionia Correctional Facility Pavement Repairs, Ionia, Michigan
  • Oakland Schools, MS4 Permits, Various Locations
  • Amtrak, Survey Work for ADA Program, Stations at Warrensburg and Jefferson City, MO
  • City of Rochester Hills, Concrete Sectional Repairs, Rochester Hills, Michigan
  • Auger Klein Aller Architects, Oakland County WRC Building Addition and Renovation, Waterford, Michigan
  • DTMB/DNR, Straits State Park Toilet Shower Building Replacement, St. Ignace, Michigan
  • JS Capital, New Premier Academy, Northville, Michigan
  • Vibe Credit Union, New Credit Union Development, Novi, Michigan
  • Saroki Architects, New Henry Ford Plum Market, Dearborn, Michigan
  • Midwest Landscape Group, Northville High School Soccer Improvements, Northville, Michigan

Big or small, NFE handles all projects needing civil engineering, land surveying and land planning services. Call us at 248-332-7931 to discuss your next project.

Dedicating the Memorial Monument for Fallen Officers

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The Michigan Law Enforcement Memorial Monument was dedicated on Saturday, July 27, 2019, following a 14-year effort in support of its construction. The monument honors Michigan law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.

The monument’s home in Veterans Memorial Park is adjacent to the Hall of Justice in the Capital complex. Coined the “Sentinel,” the monument includes metal panels engraved with the names of 588 fallen officers.

NFE partnered with David Milling Architects who won a statewide competition for the memorial design. NFE was responsible for all site design associated with the memorial, including hardscape, utility, subsurface drainage, electrical and landscape. Assisting NFE was Land Design Studio with landscape design, and Berbiglia Associates with electrical and sight lighting design.

We are proud of our involvement with this project and happy after years of fundraising by others it came to fruition.

The engraved metal panels showing the names of fallen policers lighted up at night and the entrance sign.
Onlookers observing the engraved names on the metal panels and the memorial plaque giving credit to those involved.

Construction is Completed on Orchard Lake Road Streetscape Project

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West Bloomfield Township contracted with NFE and Land Design Studio to create an aesthetically pleasing streetscape for Orchard Lake Road, the gateway to their community. The improved area runs from the roundabout at 14 Mile Road to just north of Powers Road, including parts of Northwestern Highway at 14 Mile Road and covers 19 traffic islands.

The gateway on Orchard Lake Road near 14 Mile Road and Northwestern Highway features a 25-foot-tall metal sculpture depicting reeds as well as a monument sign that lights up at night and a landscaped earthen mound.

NFE provided land surveying, civil engineering and construction administration services while Land Design Studio was the project designer. Plans were produced through a team effort to meet all of the design considerations of West Bloomfield including the following:

  • Compatibility with Town Center District Design Standards
  • Legibility at 45 MPH
  • Maintaining clear sight lines to buildings and signage
  • Meet design standards of RCOC and MDOT
  •  Long-term maintainability
  • Adaptability of plant material to various urban conditions (i.e., salt tolerance, pollution, poor soil conditions, etc.)
  • Maintaining a safe planting distance from existing and recently installed utilities

NFE had an inspector onsite during construction to oversee all concrete work and plantings.

The landscaping features a “triangle” gateway with an entry sign, custom lighting and artwork by local artist Scott Berels; a new irrigation system that includes sprinklers on automatic timers with a rain sensor unit; the planting of roughly 150 trees, plus thousands of shrubs, grasses and perennials; natural stone placed throughout areas; art panels design at Powers Road intersection; concrete plant bed edging; and concrete sidewalks for crosswalks.

The streetscape covers 19 islands with trees, shrubs, grasses and perennial plantings to beautify each island

Construction was completed on the streetscape in June 2020. The project beautifies the median for those driving, biking or walking as well as enhances and enlivens the business district to the west and east.  NFE and Land Design Studio were proud to partner with West Bloomfield Township on such an important project for the community!

Natural stone was placed throughout the streetscape and two art panel designs were placed on two island close to the Powers Road intersection.

Clear for Landing – NFE Successfully Completes Roscommon Conservation Airport Runway Renovation

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJHKNNLNmUQ&feature=youtu.be

In October 2019, Nowak & Fraus Engineers was awarded the contract for the design and construction administration of the Roscommon Conservation Airport Runway Renovation project by the Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB), on behalf of the DNR.

NFE began design work on the $1.3 million project in February 2020, however due to the impacts of COVID-19, the project faced a temporary delay. Despite that setback, the State of Michigan and NFE were able to see the project to completion, in the summer of 2021.

For this project, the NFE team provided topographic survey, geotechnical investigation, and construction documents, including civil and electrical design work. Preliminary engineering included data gathering, horizontal and vertical alignment adjustments and construction cost estimating. Final design included all runway grading and cross sections, lighting design and the final bid document package preparation.

Testing Engineers and Consultants, completed the geotechnical work and Matrix Engineering, completed the electrical design.

During the construction phase, NFE demonstrated its commitment to the environment and cost savings.  NFE worked closely with the contractor to adjust paving cross sections and grading to make the best use of existing materials beneath the existing pavement. Not only did this allow for the recycling of materials, but it also provided a cost savings.

The original runway surface included approximately 2” of asphalt on sand. The revised NFE cross section provided for 4” of new asphalt on the recycled aggregate base. In addition, new FAA approved lighting was installed, and this system included a remote receiver to allow operation from the sky. This new section and lighting should allow for a long service life and provide options for servicing heavier aircraft in the future.

NFE adds this project to our long history of providing exceptional design and construction administration services, to the Michigan DNR.

Bruce Van Doorn Sr. Reaches a Milestone

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Friends and clients of the Nowak & Fraus Family, please join us in congratulating our valued employee, Bruce Van Doorn Sr., on his significant accomplishment achieving 50 years of service with the company. It is remarkable that any individual could achieve such a milestone. What is more impressive is that surveying is a physically demanding career. Over his years of service, it is estimated that Bruce has worked over 12,500 days, walked over 50,000 miles with 50+ lbs. of gear, put in over 1,000,000 stakes/points, swung a 4 lb. sledge hammer over 7,000,000 times and drove the company truck over 600,000 miles. When asked why at the age of 72 he keeps doing the work, Bruce stated: “I like surveying because it keeps me in shape and keeps my mind sharp!” He continues to survey and has no immediate plans to retire.

Bruce began his career at NFE on February 12, 1970; one year after NFE was established to provide civil engineering, land surveying and consulting services within the Southeast Michigan area. Over our history of operation, NFE has evolved into one of the premier engineering consulting firms in the region. This growth could not happen without the significant contributions from employees like Bruce. Reaching this milestone is a tremendous accomplishment and Bruce has long served as an example of health, dedication and commitment through his many years of service. He has served as the example of what it means to be a great surveyor and has been instrumental in training many of the surveyors in our Survey Department, including his son Bruce Jr. who reached his 25 years of service last year. Bruce continues to be a valued member of our NFE team, and his contributions are vital to the overall success of the company.

Thank you, Bruce, for your many years of service!!!

At a Glance: Recently Awarded Projects

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NFE is proud of the variety of projects we have had the opportunity to work on, and our portfolio continues to grow. We have recently been awarded the following projects:

  • City of Rochester Hills, Hamlin Road Reconstruction from Crooks Road to Adams Road, Rochester Hills, Michigan
  • City of Birmingham, South Old Woodward Avenue Reconstruction from Brown Street to E. Lincoln Street, Birmingham, Michigan
  • Lutheran Child and Family Services of Michigan, Wellspring Lutheran Services Phase I Infrastructure, Farmington Hills, Michigan
  • City of Pontiac, Orchard Lake Road Storm Drainage Investigation, Pontiac, Michigan
  • Squeaky Shine, LLC, New Squeaky Shine Car Wash, West Bloomfield, Michigan
  • City of Birmingham, Cranbrook Road Non-Motorized Pathway from 14 Mile Road to Midvale Street, Birmingham, Michigan
  • Prince Realty, True North Phase II Survey, Detroit, Michigan
  • Bowers & Associates, New AvFlight Hangers at Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, Michigan
  • Hobbs + Black Architects, New Walker Yard for Kent County Road Commission, Walker, Michigan
  • City of Birmingham, Townsend Street from Southfield Road to Chester Street, Birmingham, Michigan
  • Lithia Motors, ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys for Moracco, 63 Locations in Michigan
  • Oakland Logistics, New 40-acre Industrial Building at 2100 S. Opdyke, Pontiac, Michigan
  • City of Pontiac, 2021 CDBG Sidewalk Program, Pontiac, Michigan
  • Wixom Logistics, New 40-acre Industrial Building at Wixom Road and West Road, Wixom, Michigan
  • City of Birmingham, Peabody Street Reconstruction from Brown Street to Maple Road, Birmingham, Michigan

Big or small, NFE handles all civil engineering, land surveying and land planning projects. Contact us at 248.332.7931 to discuss your next project.

NFE is providing land surveying, civil engineering and landscape design services
for Kent County Road Commission’s new headquarters in Walker, Michigan,
featuring five buildings.

A Field of Their Own – NFE Makes Assist in Developing Pontiac High School Athletic Fields

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In 2009, when Pontiac Central and Northern first merged, creating Pontiac High School, school officials dreamed they would one day have their own athletic fields. 12 years later, that dream finally came to pass.

As a result of the Pontiac School District’s 2020 Bond Program, the district received $147 million to make necessary improvements. A portion of the funds were allocated for upgrading the High School athletic fields.

The scope of the project included the construction of new football turf and drainage, a new track, softball field, baseball field and bleachers.

NFE was contracted by Barton Malow Builders, Midwest Landscaping Group, LLC and Metro Electric to provide, the following services:

  • Topographic survey
  • Boundary survey of the property line separating the Pontiac School District property, from the City of Pontiac property
  • Construction layout
  • Construction staking for athletic field dugouts, scoreboards, light poles, handholes, uplights, etc., and design services.

The project planning began in June of 2020 and construction was completed in late September of 2021. The High School debuted their new athletic field at their ribbon cutting ceremony on October 8, 2021. Later the High School football team, the Pontiac Phoenix’s, hosted a homecoming game on their new field. This was the first home game played on home turf since the merging of the two high schools, in 2009.

2020 mPark Design Award Winners

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Congratulations to Sterling Heights Parks and Recreation and Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) for each receiving a 2020 Park Design Award from the Michigan Recreation and Park Association (mParks) during their Annual Conference and Trade Show on January 31 in Novi, Michigan. Sterling Height Parks and Recreation won for Dodge Park and MDNR won for Wilderness State Park.

Dodge Park was completely renovated including new picnic shelters, amphitheater and water park.

NFE is honored to have worked on both projects. We provided surveying, engineering design and construction administration services for Dodge Park, and comprehensive study, surveying, engineering design and construction administration services for Wilderness State Park.

Design award winners are determined based on criteria including project purpose, unique problems or techniques used, local significance, degree of innovation, aesthetic quality, functionality and construction viability. NFE enjoyed working on both of these award-winning projects.

Wilderness State Park Lakeshore Campground was completely redeveloped including new toilet/shower bulidings and roads.

West Bloomfield Civic Center & Public Library Parking Lot Reconstruction

Portfolio / By
Project Type

Parking Lot

Project Location

West Bloomfield, Michigan

Owner

Charter Township of West Bloomfield
4550 Walnut Lake Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48325

Services Performed

Surveying
Design Services
Construction Administration

Estimated Construction Cost

$1,800,000

 

NFE provided full design and construction administration services on this $1,800,000 parking lot reconstruction project that included the full reconstruction of the existing pavement system for this 643-vehicle parking lot.

This facility was unique in that it was heavily used as the Township’s main campus including their Parks & Recreation Department, Library, Police Station and Town Hall. The entire facility is served by a “dead end” roadway which presented many challenges as it related to construction staging. The project was constructed utilizing full depth reclamation (FDR) for pavement base and also included irrigation improvements, lighting improvements, vehicle charging station, landscape improvements and security system improvements. The work occurred while existing facilities remained in use, and required careful staging plans and coordination.

It was determined through careful examination of the site and geotechnical results that the entire existing parking facilities should be pulverized. This resulted in the ability to construct proper pavement slopes and improve site drainage, a tremendous upgrade from the pre-existing condition. In addition to the above, and recognizing the significant investment undertaken by the owner, NFE recommended, and the owner implemented, a sewer condition assessment. It was discovered that multiple repairs to the system were required. Repairs to the sewer system were made in advance of paving, effectively preserving the newly constructed pavement. This project was completed on time and within the owner’s prescribed budget.

Related Projects

  • All
  • Construction Administration
  • Construction Engineering
  • Consulting
  • Engineering Design
  • Land Surveying
  • Study and Evaluation
  • Topographic Survey
Maple Road Resurfacing

Water Main Capital Improvement Plan

Portfolio / By

Project Type

Water Main

Project Location

Hazel Park, Michigan

Owner

City of Hazel Park

Services Performed

Engineering Design
Construction Engineering

Estimated Construction Cost

$520,000

 

NFE provided the City of Hazel Park with preliminary engineering and construction engineering services for the administration of this 0.68 mile water main construction project. The locations of the water main installation on this project were based on a Capital Improvement Plan that was developed as a part of the City’s MDEQ Reliability Study. The project replaced old 6-inch cast iron water mains with poor maintenance histories with new 8-inch PVC water mains.

NFE provided preliminary engineering services including: topographic surveys, preparation of water main and roadway construction plans, specifications, special provisions and plan details in accordance with current Michigan Department of Environmental Quality requirements.

NFE also provided construction engineering services including: contract administration, construction engineering supervision, construction/technical observation (inspection), construction layout and construction staking, on-site quality control and material testing, preparation of pay estimates, preparation and evaluation of punch list work, final inspection, and review of documentation for final payment and recommendation for final acceptance of project in accordance with City of Hazel Park guidelines and requirements.

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Sterling Heights Neighborhood Park Improvements

Portfolio / By
Project Type

Parks

Project Location

Sterling Heights, Michigan

Owner

Dorchen/Martin Associates

Services Performed

Land Surveying
Engineering Design
Construction Administration

Estimated Construction Cost

$1,700,000

The City of Sterling Heights has five major parks and 26 neighbor parks. In November 2016, the residents of Sterling Heights passed the Recreating Recreation millage to fund approximately $45 million in proposed parks and recreation improvements.

Dorchen/Martin Associates was chosen by the City to provide architecture and planning services for its park improvements. Dorchen/Martin in turn contracted with NFE to provide civil engineering and land surveying services.

The first round of parks to get improvements included six neighborhood parks. NFE’s scope of work for each park included topographic surveys, engineering site plans, soil erosion control plans, construction staking, construction administration and inspection services during construction. The following is a listing of the six parks and the improvements made:

  • Hadley Park - Resurfaced paths and new play structure
  • Imus Park – New road from Dodge Park Road, new sidewalks, resurfaced paths and resurfaced athletic courts
  • Chappelle Park – New sled hill, new play structure, new pavilion and resurfaced paths
  • Hampton Park – New parking lot, resurfaced athletic courts, new play structure, new pavilion and resurfaced paths
  • Washington Square Park – Resurfaced athletic courts, new pavilion, new play structure and resurfaced paths
  • Delia Park - Resurfaced tennis courts

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