News

Amber and Andre Earn FAA Part 107 Drone Certifications

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Nowak & Fraus Engineers is excited to announce that Amber Burns and Andre Penney have each earned their FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification, officially authorizing them to operate unmanned aerial systems (UAS), also known as drones, for commercial purposes.

This certification, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, requires rigorous knowledge of airspace regulations, weather patterns, flight operations, and safety procedures. With this credential, Amber and Andre can now support a wide range of drone-assisted services at NFE, including aerial surveying, construction documentation, site inspections, and photogrammetry.

The use of drone technology continues to enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and safety of engineering and surveying projects. With Amber and Andre’s certifications, NFE strengthens its ability to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions to clients throughout the region.

We congratulate Amber and Andre on this professional achievement and look forward to the expanded capabilities their training brings to the team!

FAA-Certified-Banner

Amber and Andre Earn FAA Part 107 Drone Certifications Read More »

Mark Sandberg Earns Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Certification

Mark Sandberg

Nowak & Fraus Engineers is proud to congratulate Mark Sandberg on earning his Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Certification through the National Recreation and Park Association. This nationally recognized credential is the most comprehensive training program available for identifying playground hazards and ensuring public safety in play environments.

As a CPSI, Mark is now certified to evaluate playgrounds for compliance with national safety standards, assess risk factors, and recommend improvements that help protect children and families. His expertise will be a valuable asset to our municipal and parks-related projects, reinforcing NFE’s commitment to designing and supporting safe, accessible community spaces.

Mark’s dedication to professional development and public safety aligns with the values we hold as a firm, and we’re excited to see how his certification will enhance the work we do across Southeast Michigan and beyond.

Please join us in congratulating Mark on this significant accomplishment!

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Mark Sandberg Earns Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Certification Read More »

Nine Team Members Earn Well-Deserved Promotions at Nowak & Fraus Engineers

At Nowak & Fraus Engineers (NFE), we take great pride in recognizing the hard work, dedication, and growth of our team. We’re excited to announce that nine of our employees have recently been promoted across several departments!

Each of these individuals has made significant contributions to our projects, our clients, and our internal culture. Their promotions reflect not only their achievements, but also NFE’s ongoing commitment to investing in our people and promoting them from within.

Please join us in congratulating the following team members:

  • Michael Carnaghi – Engineering Technician III promoted to Survey Project Manager
  • Allen Eizember, PE – Project Engineer promoted to Associate
  • Will Fowler, PE – Engineer III, promoted to Project Manager
  • Bryce Girbach, PE – Engineer II promoted to Engineer III
  • Justin Klenk – Engineer III promoted to Engineering Development Team (EDT) Manager/Engineer III
  • Andrew Kulpanowski   – Senior Testing Inspection Engineer promoted to Engineering Technician III
  • Alan Panley, PE – Engineer III, promoted to Project Engineer
  • Mark Wilson – Engineer III promoted to Project Manager
  • Tim Wood, PE – Project Engineer promoted to Associate
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These promotions represent more than new titles — they are a celebration of leadership, initiative, and continuous growth. We are grateful for all they have done to help shape NFE and look forward to their continued success in their new roles.

Congratulations to all!

Nine Team Members Earn Well-Deserved Promotions at Nowak & Fraus Engineers Read More »

Executive Committee Expands

Nowak & Fraus Engineers is restructuring its leadership team, expanding its executive committee to a five-person group with Tim Germain’s retirement. As part of this transition, the firm is pleased to announce the promotions of Brad Brickel, Jason Longhurst, and Steve Sutton, who will join the existing leadership, Chad Findley and Jeff Huhta, in guiding the company’s strategic vision and operations.

Each of the newly appointed executives brings extensive experience and a commitment to excellence that aligns with Nowak & Fraus Engineers’ mission. Their leadership will help drive innovation and continued success as the firm moves forward in an evolving industry.

5 Exct Team

Executive Committee Expands Read More »

Tim Germain Retires from Nowak & Fraus Engineers

April 1st – After over three decades of dedicated service, Tim Germain, Managing Partner / Owner, announced his retirement from Nowak & Fraus Engineers, marking the end of an era for the firm. Germain’s leadership and expertise have been instrumental in shaping the company’s success, and his contributions will leave a lasting impact on both the organization and the industry.

Throughout his tenure, Tim Germain played a crucial role in shaping Nowak & Fraus Engineers into the reputable firm it is today. His expertise and leadership have had a profound impact on numerous projects, colleagues, and the broader engineering community.

Nowak & Fraus Engineers expresses its deepest gratitude to Tim Germain for his years of service and leadership. His legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of engineers and professionals within the company.

Tim Germain Retires from Nowak & Fraus Engineers Read More »

🎉Big News Alert! 🎉

Join us in congratulating Bryce Girbach on officially earning his Professional Engineer (PE) license! His dedication, hard work, and expertise continue to impact on our team and the projects we deliver.

We’re proud to have Bryce on the Nowak & Fraus Engineers team and look forward to his continued success in shaping communities through innovative engineering.

Yellow and Blue Playful Congratulations Instagram Post

🎉Big News Alert! 🎉 Read More »

40 Year Retirement Announcement – Nabeel Naoum

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After four decades of dedicated service, Nabeel N. Naoum, Senior Associate at Nowak & Fraus Engineers, has retired. His commitment, expertise, and exceptional leadership have left a lasting impact on our firm and our clients.

When Nabeel joined NFE in 1985, the industry was just starting to transition from manual drafting to drawing with CAD.  Nabeel was the champion and main person that integrated computer aided drafting into NFE.  As CAD drafting became more prevalent Nabeel was promoted to run NFE’s IT department, helping to set standards and protocols which continue to be in effect today.

Nabeel brought a passion for engineering and meticulous attention to detail. Over the course of his career, he played an instrumental role in many of our most significant projects, earning the trust and admiration of colleagues and clients alike. His contributions have advanced the firm’s success and shaped how we approach challenges and collaborate as a team.

Throughout his tenure, Nabeel’s leadership was characterized by his unwavering professionalism, mentorship, and commitment to quality. His thoughtful guidance has helped nurture countless engineers' careers and fostered a culture of excellence at Nowak & Fraus Engineers.

While we will miss Nabeel’s expertise and presence in the office, we are excited for him as he embarks on this new chapter of life. His legacy will remain an integral part of the Nowak & Fraus family.

Please join us in congratulating Nabeel on his remarkable 40-year career and wishing him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.

40 Year Retirement Announcement – Nabeel Naoum Read More »

New Service Announcement! LiDAR

Nowak & Fraus Engineers (NFE) is excited to announce the addition of a new service: Surveying and Mapping using LiDAR. LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a method used to determine distances from objects or surfaces by emitting light and then calculating the time it takes for the reflected light to return to the receiver. LiDAR technology has various applications in surveying, archaeology, forestry, and space exploration.

LiDAR sensors in the surveying and mapping field can be aerial-based, UAV-based, terrestrial, or vehicle-mounted. Each setup has its advantages and disadvantages. Many products in the market cater to the user’s specific needs for accuracy, precision, and efficiency in terms of cost and time. NFE has recently acquired the state-of-the-art Trimble MX50 vehicle-mounted sensor with AP60 IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit). Trimble MX50 has the capability of collecting 1.5 million points per second in 3D with vehicular speeds up to 68 miles an hour. The AP60 IMU ensures we can take advantage of the total, high-powered GNSS-inertial processing needed for precise and accurate survey grade point cloud. We have successfully performed large site topographical surveys under heavy tree cover and multiple corridor surveys while achieving horizontal accuracy of up to 0.02’ and vertical accuracy of up to 0.02’.

Since the Geospatial Department received the Mobile LiDAR from Seiler Geospatial, we have successfully scanned 26.5 miles of Right-of-Way corridors.

With the introduction of our new LiDAR service, the Geospatial Department has significantly reduced its turnover time, freeing up traditional survey crews. This enhanced efficiency to meet our clients’ deadlines while maintaining the NFE field standards for accuracy and quality, a win-win situation for all.

New Service Announcement! LiDAR Read More »

New Location Alert!

Nowak and Fraus Engineers (NFE), an engineering and surveying firm Headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan, with offices in Detroit and Shelby Township, is excited to announce the opening of a new office in Van Buren County, Michigan. This expansion will enable NFE to carry out our vision to build an elite workforce to allow us to expand upon our great reputation so we may become the premier professional services provider in the Great Lakes region.

Address:
23952 City Center Cir
Mattawan, MI 49071
269-993-3800

NFE’s Mission is to leverage emerging technologies, quality resources, and expert staff through a sustainable and value-driven approach to assist our clients in achieving their goals and visions while providing a positive impact in the communities we live and work.  The new office location supports that mission, and we look forward to providing uncompromised value-driven quality, steadfast reliability, and outstanding experiences to our west Michigan clients.

NFE is working on several important projects in western Michigan, including the Kal-Haven Trail, the Van Buren Trail, Kent County Road Commission, Michigan State Police Walker MI Consolidation, Lakeland Correctional Facility, and Muskegon Correctional Facility, to name a few.  With over 55 years of experience, NFE has built a strong reputation for delivering quality civil engineering, land planning, land surveying, and geospatial engineering services. Our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction is unwavering, and we are excited to extend this commitment to our west Michigan clients through our new office location.

Check out some of the projects we’ve already finished on the west side of Michigan!

New Location Alert! Read More »

NFE ACEC Award Announcement 2024

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Nowak & Fraus Engineers (NFE) is excited to announce that the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC) has granted us two Engineering Merit Awards on Saturday, March 9th, 2024. The awards were given for our work on two projects: The Central Complex Headquarters for the Kent County Road Commission in Walker, Michigan, and Phase Three of South Old Woodward Avenue.

NFE and Hobbs + Black Architects were selected by the Kent Country Road Commission to provide development and architecture services for a 29-acre parcel. NFE took care of all necessary land surveying and civil engineering services. The project involved constructing five buildings, including an administration building, a garage, a salt storage facility, a cold storage facility, and a vehicle wash.

The third and final phase of the major downtown renovations in Birmingham involved modernizing the utility and streetscape along a 0.40-mile stretch. This $10 million project included improvements to pedestrian safety and amenities, in addition to implementing stormwater management and green infrastructure solutions. These initiatives align with Birmingham's objectives of making the city more walkable and sustainable.

Congratulations to every team member and individual who put in their time, effort, and dedication into both projects.

To learn more about these projects, please visit the links below.

 

Links:

Award Page - https://www.acecmi.org/2024-ese-projects.html

ACEC PR Release - AmericanCouncilEngineeringMIASSOC_9670_ACECMichigan_2024_ExcellenceAwards_PressRelease.pdf

Kent County Road Commission New Complex - https://nfe-engr.com/kent-county-road-commission-walker-michigan-new-central-complex-headquarters/

Phase Three of South Old Woodward Ave. - https://nfe-engr.com/phase-3-woodward-completed/

 

 

NFE ACEC Award Announcement 2024 Read More »

Kent County Road Commission – Walker Michigan New Central Complex Headquarters

Kent County Road Commission (KCRC) is Michigan’s second-largest road commission, serving 21 townships and more than 635,000 residents. KCRC purchased a 29-acre parcel in the Walker View Industrial Park to build a new central complex facility. They had outgrown their Downtown Grand Rapids facility, built in 1923, and needed more room to expand.

Nowak & Fraus (NFE) served as the Civil Engineering Consultant on the project, responsible for site planning, geotechnical investigations, environmental permitting and leading the team through the project entitlement process. The uniqueness of this project directly relates to the complexity of the site constraints including: 52-feet of elevation change across the site, regulated wetlands jetting into the property, perched/high groundwater conditions, contaminated soils, and three high-tension transmission lines within a 165-foot-wide utility corridor bisecting the property. NFE worked very closely with multiple vendors to fully develop a viable site plan, obtain site plan approval through the City of Walker, prepare construction documents, obtain approvals from permitting agencies, obtain approvals from regulatory agencies, and bring the project through a multi-phased construction process.

The project highlights include:

  • 37,000 SF Administration Building
  • 150,000 SF Maintenance Garage
  • Covered Fueling Station
  • 5,152 SF Vehicle Wash Building
  • 21,500 SF – 6,000-Ton Salt Storage Building
  • 17,500 SF Cold Storage Building
  • Material Storage Areas
  • 37 Visitor and 222 Secure Staff Parking Spaces with Landscape/Irrigation Pond and Employee Patio

Kent County Road Commission – Walker Michigan New Central Complex Headquarters Read More »

Phase Three of South Old Woodward Ave. Completed

Nowak and Fraus Engineers (NFE) had the honor of serving the City of Birmingham as prime engineering consultant for the South Old Woodward Avenue Reconstruction Project, which was Phase 3 of the City’s comprehensive downtown streetscape and infrastructure reconstruction. Phase 3 was intended to modernize the southern portion of the City’s vibrant downtown. A traffic-calming road diet, wider sidewalks and crosswalks, additional mid-block crossings, extensive ADA accessibility upgrades, and a high-contrast lighting layout at pedestrian crossings enhanced pedestrian safety. The streetscape design was also intended to provide amenities, including bus stop shelters, bike racks, moped parking spaces, and accommodations for future EV parking spaces. Overall aesthetics throughout the corridor are greatly enhanced by various “pocket park” areas that feature decorative curb islands, granite benches, landscaping, and trees.

Project highlights include:

  • 10,500 Square yards of concrete pavement
  • 8,500 Square yards of concrete sidewalks
  • 76 Exposed aggregate raised curb
  • Landscape & tree planters
  • 6,300 Plantings
  • Pavement markings
  • Signage
  • Reduced imperviousness
  • An equivalent length of nearly seven miles of underground utilities
  • 100-Foot-Wide Right-of-Way of Old Woodward Avenue, consisting of water main, combined sewer main, storm drains, storm detention, sanitary and water building services, legacy fiber conduit, street lighting, electrical system, and irrigation system

Phase Three of South Old Woodward Ave. Completed Read More »

NFE Announces Team Promotions 2023

 

NFE has created a new Geospatial Department that will continue to advance our firm in surveying and geospatial sciences. NFE has gone through the process of training a select group of individuals who will pioneer this new department. With this news, we are excited to announce those selected for promotions.

 

  • Cam Michals – Engineering Tech 1 to Geospatial Technician I
  • Griffen Burr – Field Crew to Geospatial Technician I
  • Alexis Fraus – Engineering Tech 1 to Geospatial Technician I
  • Sanjay Shenoy – Engineer I to Geospatial Engineer

Along with these promotions, we’d like to recognize the additional individual promotions.

  • Andrew Filer – Engineer I to Engineer II
  • Marwan Hani – Engineer I to Engineer II
  • David Goschka – Engineer I to - Engineer II
  • Bryce Girbach – Engineer I to Engineer II
  • Tim Wood – Engineer III to Project Engineer

Congratulations to all nine team members on their well-deserved advancements!

NFE Announces Team Promotions 2023 Read More »

The New Romeo High School

Romeo Community Schools’ voters approved an $86 million, 25-year bond initiative for the district back in May 2016. The school system contracted with architect Integrated Design Solutions who in turn contracted with NFE to provide land surveying and civil engineering services to support the bond initiatives. A big part of the bond initiatives was to create a new high school within the existing Romeo Engineering and Technology Center facility on Jewell Road in Washington Township. The $52,400,000 project included renovations for 70,000 square feet and 139,000 square feet of new construction.

Views of the north side (left) and the back of the high school (right).

NFE provided a boundary and topographic survey, and engineering plans for demolition, site, grading, paving, storm water management, utility, soil erosion and sediment control, and site restorations. We performed an ADA audit of the exterior of the facility and a pavement condition analysis to identify parking lot and sidewalk repairs that needed to be done. Additionally, a subsurface infrastructure evaluation was performed to document conditions of existing subsurface amenities. We also provided landscape plans for beautification in accordance with the Romeo Community Schools standards.

​The new ticket/concession building with decorative pavers and plantings (left) and the parking lot depicting student spaces (right).

Groundbreaking for the new high school was on August 25, 2017, and construction was completed two years later in time for the 2019-2020 school year. A new identity was created for the high school with three academies: Academy of Health, Human and Public Service; Academy of Design, Engineering and Manufacturing; and Academy of Business, Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The academies were designed with graduation in mind whether students choose a career or college.

Rain gardens were placed with the circular drop-off areas in front of the school (left) and in front of the athletic field (right).

The New Romeo High School Read More »

Working with DNR on Shooting Ranges in Michigan

Shooting and archery have become a favorite pastime for millions of Americans within the last several years. In the State of Michigan, there are over 250 shooting ranges. Over the past 10 years, NFE has become an expert in the design and development of shooting facilities across the state of Michigan. We have provided land surveying, engineering design and construction administration services on improvements to multiple shooting ranges as well as for a new shooting range in Grand Traverse County for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Also, we are in the development stages for two new outdoor shooting ranges (Barry State Game Area and Roscommon State Forest Area), and a new shooting complex in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

The following is a brief overview of the projects we have completed or are currently working on for the MDNR:

  • Pontiac Lake Recreation Area Shooting Range Improvements, Waterford Township, MI – This project comprised of expanding the existing facility to include a 10-station pistol range as well as ADA improvements, parking improvements, shed relocation, and storm water management facilities. We verified and incorporated details for ricochet baffle, benches and structures. The project was completed in 2017.
  • Algonac State Park Shooting Range Improvements, Clay, MI – This project expanded the existing facility to include a new 4-station pistol range and accessible shotgun range. Also, ADA improvements, parking improvements, and storm water management facilities were included. The project was also completed in 2017.
  • Grand Traverse County Shooting Range Development, Union Township, MI – This project was for a new shooting range consisting of three ranges with the following stations: six 25-yard, three 50-yard and three 100-yard with options for expandability in the future. The work also included parking improvements, pit toilet, and storm water management facilities. We assisted MDNR with the public engagement process and noise studies as well as implemented details for ricochet baffle, monitoring wells, benches, gates and structures. The project was completed in 2018.
  • Echo Point Shooting Range Improvements, Allegan, MI – The improvements to this range include shooting structures with sound abatement measures, accessible tables and benches for shooters, a parking lot, accessible pathways, a vault toilet, perimeter fencing, and new berms and ricochet baffles to improve safety. The new structures included the following stations: four 100-yard, four 25-yard and four 10-yard. This project was completed in 2019 and since then operates with considerable noise reduction to the surrounding areas.
  • Sharonville State Park Game Area Shooting Range Improvements, Grass Lake, MI – This project was for the expansion of the existing facility to include a 4-station pistol range as well as ADA improvements and storm water management facilities. We verified details for ricochet baffle, benches and structures. Also, ADA access improvements were completed to allow for improved access to the existing archery range. This project was completed in 2019.
A fully functional shooting range was designed and construction in Grand Traverse County (left), and noise reduction (structure in background) was an important improvement for the Echo Point Shooting Range (right).

Lapeer State Game Area Shooting Range Improvements, Lapeer, MI – This project was a major overhaul for a 70-year old shooting range. Improvements included sound abatement, driveway approach and parking, range fencing, drainage, pathways, monitoring wells, and vault toilets. Two new shooting structures included the following stations: three 100-foot and eight 10-yard/50-yard. The project was completed in 2020.

Major improvements were implemented at the Lapeer Shooting Range.

Lake Superior Sportsman’s Club Shooting Range Improvements, Ontonagon, MI – NFE, along with our subconsultant OHM Advisors, are currently providing engineering and architectural services for a new indoor shooting complex at the Lake Superior Sportsman’s Club in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The new club house will feature a kitchen, conference room, bathrooms, storage space and indoor range. This project is designed and awaiting final grant monies for construction.

Plans are underway for a new indoor shooting range in Ontonagon, Michigan

Marquette Shooting Range Development, Sands Township, MI – Right now we are in the final stages of design for a new outdoor shooting range complex in Marquette County. The range will feature shotgun and rifle/pistol stations including: four 10-yard, four 25-yard, two 100-yard, two 200-yard and two 400-yard. Also included will be a pit toilet, ADA parking, access walkways, berms and ricochet baffles, and limestone trenches to aid in lead mitigation and capture.
NHBP Shooting Range Development, Sherwood, MI – Right now we are in the early design phase for a new public outdoor firearm and pistol shooting range along with a range dedicated for the training of law enforcement officers for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) tribe.
NFE is proud of our work with private and public shooting ranges and updating facilities for shooting enthusiasts in the State of Michigan. For more information on any of these projects or for your next recreational development, please contact Steve Sutton at 248-332-7931 or swsutton@nfe-engr.com.

Working with DNR on Shooting Ranges in Michigan Read More »

The Creation of Clintonville Road Safety Pathway

NFE was selected by Independence Township to provide engineering design and construction administration for a public pathway along Clintonville Road, between Maybee and Waldon roads. This pathway was created to interconnect other pathways within the Township, and the road as it was, was unsafe to walk or bike on due to heavy traffic and wetlands.

These photos show Clintonville’s right-of-way before construction (left) and after construction using a boardwalk for wet areas (right).

Design related tasks included easement acquisition and documentation, MDEQ and local permitting assistance, public meeting participated, and bidding assistance to develop 4,500 feet of 8-foot-wide ADA paved pathway/10-foot boardwalk along the project route. The boardwalk as well as a bridge was needed to bypass swamps, drains and rivers in the area. In addition, the design development process included significant public input and community support.

 The pathway is paved with concrete and asphalt areas (left). A bridge goes over a drain area for the public’s safety (right).

Construction administration services included inspection, material testing, construction staking, and construction management. The pathway is owned and operated by Independence Township and now that it is completed promotes recreation and health activities in a safe way for the area as well as connects with other pathways.

The Creation of Clintonville Road Safety Pathway Read More »

Surveying Adventures

Our survey crews are accustomed to braving the cold and enduring the heat. Insects, thorns and poison ivy are a common place. Yet, this recent project came as a bit of a shock. The first photo (from Google Earth) is what we expected to find. The next two photos are what the crew recently encountered at an Amtrak Train Station in McComb, Mississippi. Yes, that is Kudzu, an invasive Asiatic vine said to be taking over the South. Notice the power lines in the first picture then try to find them in the next two. Amazing what mother nature can throw at you.

These two photos show what was at the site when the survey crew showed up.

Surveying Adventures Read More »

Sterling Heights Trail from Beaumont to Delia Park Complete

Since 2017, after the residents of Sterling Heights passed the Recreating Recreation millage in November 2016, NFE has been providing civil engineering and land surveying services in collaboration with architect Dorchen/Martin Associates to improve several parks within the City of Sterling Heights. Part of the improvements the City wanted was having a non-motorized trail connecting the Beaumont Troy Hospital Campus to Delia Park.

NFE provided trail alignment engineering plans and construction documents. Prior we surveyed the land and prepared a topographic survey. A tree survey was completed and we planned to have over 375 trees planted to separate the trail from neighboring residential yards. To handle soil erosion, sections of the trail were designed with grading, silt fencing, inlet protection fence, and at times, gravel. Four bridges were designed when the trail needed to cross Plumbrook Drain. We also provided construction staking and oversaw the construction of the trail.

The trail was designed to follow Plumbrook Drain (left), and benches were purposefully placed throughout trail for rest/reflection (right).

The 2-mile, 10-foot-wide, soft surface trail was completed in October 2020. The trail meanders through wooded areas and subdivisions following the Plumbrook Drain with two road crossings – one in a subdivision and one at 19 Mile Road. Signs are strategically placed at the intersections and at the start of the trail in Beaumont’s campus. Also, bump outs with benches are placed throughout the trail for rest/reflection.

One of the four bridges constructed (left), and each bridge blends in well with the trail (right).

This project provided Sterling Heights with much needed trail in the northwest section of the City, and is great for walkers, runners, and bicyclists. For more information on this project or to engage us on your future non-motorized trail project, please contact Pat Williams at 248-332-7931 or pwilliams@nfe-engr.com.

Over 375 trees were planted to separate the trail from residents’ backyards (left), and the trail crossing at 19 Mile Road was designed for safe passage (right).

Sterling Heights Trail from Beaumont to Delia Park Complete Read More »

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

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.

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

NFE Projects in Construction

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 Projects in Construction Read More »