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.
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
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
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!
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).
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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 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.”
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
