Engineering Design

Maple Road Resurfacing

Maple Road Resurfacing

The City of Birmingham contracted with NFE for the resurfacing of Maple Road from Cranbrook Road to Southfield Road. This 1.29 mile stretch of Maple Road was last resurfaced in 1998, and was in poor condition. The City obtained a federal grant to pay for 80% of the cost, and this was an MDOT 3R project. As part of the work, new ADA compliant ramps were installed, as well as concrete curb and sewer repair improvements. Also, Maple Road underwent a “road diet” on the final striping phase from a four-lane road to a three-lane road (designated turn-lane) that received great public scrutiny and yet positive success.

NFE was lead consultant and provided a wide range of services, including right-of-way and topographic surveys, engineering plans, construction administration (both office and field), construction staking, and as-builts surveys of construction utilities.

Construction was completed in two phases. The first phase focused on handicap ramps and local street approach repairs. The second phase was for the actual resurfacing of the road that required complete road closure.

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O’Neal Lake Dam Restoration

O’Neal Lake Dam failed in September of 2014 due to heavy rains. In November of that same year, NFE was retained by the Department of Technology Management and Budget (DTMB) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to investigate the failure of the dam and come up with options to repair it.

The dam was installed in 1952 by the DNR to aid in both water control and to develop a habitat for wildlife. O’Neal Lake is approximately 150 acres in size, and surrounded by Wilderness State Park and privately-owned land. Once the dam failed the lake dried up.

After careful study and evaluation of the dam, NFE proposed five options for repairing the control structure. The Cut-Off Wall/Control Structure Installation option was chosen by DTMB/DNR because it was creating basically a new dam with a 50-year-life expectancy and with minimal maintenance. This option entails placing steel pilings to form a wall in front of the existing dam and filling in between, along with repairing the pedestrian and snowmobile wood crossing. The old dam was retrofitted with a new deck and railings to accommodate an important pedestrian crossing within Wilderness State Park.

NFE prepared engineering plans for demolition, structure improvement, area earthwork, boat launch improvements and construction documents. After DTMB/DNR secure funding for the project, construction started in October 2017, and is expected to be completed spring 2018. NFE also provided both office and site construction administrative services. NFE is proud to be involved with this project that will bring the lake back to the area and its residents, while restoring boating, fishing and a haven for wildlife.

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Historic Parkridge Homes Redevelopment

NFE provided civil engineering and land surveying services for the redevelopment of Parkridge Homes located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. This development was part of a $34 million City of Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Housing Commission effort to overhaul the city’s public housing.

Parkridge Homes were originally built in 1943 to supply temporary barracks-style housing to African-American workers who arrived in Ypsilanti to work at the Willow Run Bomber Assembly Plant during WWII. Despite the intended temporary nature of the 80-unit development, Partridge Homes were converted to public housing in the early 1950’s and remained in use until demolition began in July 2016 to make way for a new 86-unit apartment development.

The new low-income development, Parkridge Apartments, is comprised of townhomes that incorporate a “new urbanism” concept, along with a street grid that reconnects to the surrounding community. The street-facing townhomes include porches, sidewalks, driveways, yards and open spaces with a playground, grilling area and urban gardens.

In 2013, NFE provided an ALTA/ACSM Land Title survey of the property, and in 2016, provided topographic, boundary and tree surveys, as well as engineering plans for demolition, site, paving and grading, utility design, drainage, soil erosion and storm calculations. Next, we supplied construction documents, and was retained by the general contractor to provide construction staking services.

The result was new and improved low-income housing for Ypsilanti residents that is safer and integrates better into the surrounding community.

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Heartland Healthcare New Nursing & Rehabilitation Centers

HCR ManorCare is a national provider of healthcare centers specializing in short-term and long-term nursing and rehabilitation services. The healthcare centers operate under the name of Heartland in the state of Michigan. HCR ManorCare has been a client of NFE since the 1990’s.

NFE provided professional land surveying, civil engineering and landscape architecture services for the new centers in the cities of Sterling Heights, Canton, Flushing and Troy. Most of the facilities are two-story buildings, and are landscaped with inviting outdoor environments per the landscape architecture plans by NFE. NFE was responsible for all civil engineering plans, including demolition, paving/grading, utility, storm drainage, soil erosion control, sanitary sewer and water main. Construction documents were also provided for the civil engineering portions of each center.

Other services have included civil engineering for additions to existing centers in Sterling Heights, Allen Park, and two in West Bloomfield. NFE also has provided numerous site analysis and infrastructure evaluations on properties that in the end HCR ManorCare chose not to develop.

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Flex-N-Gate Manufacturing Facility Development

Flex-N-Gate is a leading manufacturer and supplier of components for the automotive industry. The company purchased a 30-acre plot of land on Detroit’s east side with plans to build a manufacturing facility to supply automotive parts to Ford Motor Company. This parcel of land is a part of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation’s I-94 Industrial Corridor Park, for which NFE previously provided ALTA/NSPS land title surveys, topographic surveys, underground utility surveys and other consulting services.

Under the ownership of Flex-N-Gate, NFE performed additional surveying services to complete a comprehensive boundary and topographic survey to support the development of the 480,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. Additionally, NFE was retained by the IBI Group, architect for the project, to perform site planning and prepare construction drawings for all proposed site infrastructure required for the full development of the site, including utility relocation, sewer relocations, paving and grading, water main and landscape design. NFE also provided construction assistance throughout the construction process, including construction layout for three different contractors.

Ground breaking for the facility was on April 24, 2017 with construction completed in October 2018. The manufacturing facility is big part of Detroit’s growing I-94 Industrial Park and is attracting more manufacturing jobs back to the City.

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Du Charme Place Apartments New Lifestyle Community

Du Charme Place, located in Detroit’s historic Lafayette Park, is a new apartment development, and the neighborhood’s first new lifestyle community in over 40 years. NFE provided professional land surveying and civil engineering services for the development. The work comprised of ALTA, boundary and topographic surveys; demolition plan; site plan; paving and utility design; soil erosion plan; and construction documents.

The development features four buildings with a total of 185 luxury apartments that border a second-story courtyard area with a walking path and nearby pool. All four buildings stand three stories tall atop a first-floor garage/lobby area.

NFE provided construction staking and layout services for the development, and also consulted with the construction and design teams helping to resolve construction issues that arose during the building process.

NFE is proud to have been the land surveyor and civil engineer of record for this residential development that honors the integrity of Lafayette Park and its history.

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City of Royal Oak E. Fourth Street Corridor Upgrade

The City of Royal Oak contracted with NFE to provide land surveying, engineering design and construction engineering services for the East Fourth Street Corridor Upgrade from Main Street to Campbell Road project. The project was funded by both the DDA and CDBG for streetscape expansions. The City felt Fourth Street need streetscape improvements to spur investment and make the street connect more with the downtown area.

Construction engineering services included the preparation of contract bid documents, construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates. The scope of work included:

  • Lighting system replacement and upgrades for decorative street lights
  • Sidewalk and curb replacement with decorative concrete sidewalk and new curbs and gutter
  • ADA ramp improvements
  • Landscape upgrades for ornamental trees and tree grates, along with a tree irrigation system
  • Parking lot removal and reconfiguration in median between Kayser Avenue and Alexandra Avenue
  • Rain garden installation to improve storm water management within parking lot
  • Public art installation
  • Traffic control plan for maintaining traffic during construction

The result was a successful corridor improvement project that connected Fourth Street visually and physically to the downtown area.

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Chimney Hill Condominium Improvements

Chimney Hill is a residential development in West Bloomfield Township, consisting of 142 privately-owned condominiums. The development was constructed 30 years ago, and the roads within the complex were experiencing cracking and breakage due to distress and water drainage issues. The residents petitioned the Charter Township of West Bloomfield through a Special Assessment District (SAD) to complete roadway and drainage improvements for Chimney Hill Drive, which is a private circle drive winding through the development.

West Bloomfield Township contracted with NFE to provide civil engineering and surveying services for the Chimney Hill Drive project. In addition, the Chimney Hill Condominium Association contracted with NFE to provide civil engineering and surveying services for water drainage issues, as well as rehabilitate parking areas, repave the boulevard entrance and improve the clubhouse entry area.

For both projects, NFE provided topographic surveys, utility inspection and investigation, engineering design documents, construction layout, both office and site construction administration, and as-builts. Engineering plans included demolition, road design, staging plans, storm drainage improvements, and soil erosion and sediment control. The result was multifaceted for the residents of Chimney Hill. They now have a new entrance to the complex, smooth roads to travel on, new parking areas, new club house entry, and most importantly, no standing water due to drainage issues.

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Water Main Capital Improvement Plan

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

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

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

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Sterling Heights Neighborhood Park Improvements

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

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

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

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

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St. Charles Residential Development

St. Charles, a former Catholic school in Detroit’s Islandview neighborhood, was developed into 25 condominium units, and a new 10-unit apartment building was developed next to the school. NFE provided professional land surveying and civil engineering services for this condominium/apartment project. The work comprised of boundary, topographic and as-builts surveys; site plan development; construction documents; and landscape plans.

An additional floor on top of the three-story, century-old school was added for the school to be developed into 25 luxury condominiums with high ceilings, an open concept design and secured outdoor space. The three-story, 10-unit apartment building next to the former school was construction in the empty lots where homes used to be. Construction begin on both projects in the summer of 2017, and was completed in the spring of 2018.

NFE is proud to have been part of this residential development, restoring a historical school building and revitalizing an abandoned area. In a small way, this is helping to keep Detroit’s history intact.

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S. Troy Street Parking Lot & DDA Streetscape Improvements

The City of Royal Oak – Engineering Department contracted with NFE to provide land surveying, engineering design, and construction engineering services for the South Troy Street Parking Lot and Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Streetscape Improvements project. The project called for adding 90 parking spaces on the city-owned land at the corner of South Troy and Third Street, just south of the Farmers Market, along with streetscape improvements on 11 Mile and South Troy.

The scope of work included underground storm water detention system, concrete curb installation, HMA pavement, concrete sidewalks, ADA sidewalk ramps, and decorative streetscape plan in accordance with the City of Royal Oak’s design standards. The streetscape plans included new street lights, ornamental street trees, irrigation and pavers.

The project was completed in late August 2015 just in time for the Arts, Beats and Eats festival on Labor Day weekend.

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Royal Oak Schools Surveying and Site Development

NFE performed professional engineering and surveying services for more than six of Royal Oak Schools District’s facilities. Most of the projects included boundary and topographical surveys, along with site engineering. The facilities included:

  • Keller Elementary School – Boundary and Topographical Survey (2015)
  • Churchill Community Education Center – Boundary and Topographical Survey (2015)
  • Royal Oak Middle School – Boundary and Topographical Survey (2013)
  • Royal Oak High School – Boundary and Topographical Survey (2013)
  • Longfellow Elementary School – Survey and Site Engineering (2008)
  • Lincoln Elementary School – Survey and Site Engineering (2006)

A number of surveys were performed to section land for new developments. NFE was retained by a number of private developers that purchased land parceled off from the Royal Oak School District.

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Right-Turn Lane Improvements at Brewster & Butler Roads

As part of Rochester Hills 2016-2021 Capital Improvement Plan for street improvements, the City of Rochester Hills contracted with NFE to provide right-turn lane improvements for both Brewster and Butler roads. Each road was experiencing traffic congestion and back-up delays. NFE’s scope of work for each project included field investigation, surveying, engineering plans, and both office and field construction administration services. A tree survey was conducted for each site, identifying the species and condition.

The work for Brewster Road included the extension of the existing right-turn lane from Brewster Road onto Walton Boulevard. Improvements included asphalt pathway removal and replacement, ADA walking path improvements, asphalt placements, updated signage, minor utility improvements, and associated project restoration.

The work for Butler Road included the installation of a new dedicated right-turn lane from Butler Road onto southbound Adams Road along with widening of the Butler/Adams road intersection. Improvements included tree removal, walkway upgrades, minor utility improvements, asphalt placements, ADA walking path improvements, new ADA ramp installation, updated signage, and associated project restoration.

Construction on both projects started at the end of April 2016 and were completed the end of June 2016. Both projects were a success and turning right at each intersection was less of a hassle for travelers.

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Quonset Hut Village Alternative Housing Development

A Quonset hut village called True North is a new alternative housing project in Detroit, Michigan. NFE provided professional land surveying and civil engineering services for this 7,500-square-foot residential development. The work comprised of boundary and topographic surveys, demolition plan and site plan, including utility design. NFE was also retained to provide construction staking services.

True North is located at the corner of 16th Street and Hancock Street, northeast of Downtown Detroit. The 8-unit housing project features Quonset huts which are half-moon shaped structures whose walls and roof are made of corrugated steel. The nine live/work rental units have full utilities, bathrooms, kitchens and security measures.

True North received an honorable mention in the 2017 Progressive Architecture Awards from Architect magazine. NFE is proud to have been part of this unique, award-winning housing project.

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Pierce and Merrill Streets Paving and Streetscape Improvements

NFE provided the City of Birmingham with surveying and civil engineering services for the 1.12-mile concrete roadway reconstruction project of Pierce Street and Merrill Street in downtown Birmingham.

The roadway reconstruction project included water main, combined sewer and storm drain utility upgrades, and streetscape improvements. The streetscape improvements included sawcut concrete sidewalk, exposed aggregate sidewalk, and upgrades to street lighting, all in coordination with the improvements previously made in the downtown streets surrounding City Hall and Shain Park four years before.

NFE was lead consultant and provided a wide range of services. Preliminary engineering included right-of-way and topographic surveying, and preparation of roadway construction plans and specifications. Construction engineering included construction layout and construction staking. Post construction engineering included as-built surveying of constructed utilities and associated updates to the utility mapping on the City’s Geographic Information System (GIS).

The project was selected for the 2013 American Public Works Association (APWA) Detroit Metro Branch Award in the Transportation Category, less than $5 million Division. Also, it was awarded the 2013 Michigan Concrete Association Award of Excellence in the Urban Arterials category.

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