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.
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.
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.
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!!!
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.
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.
