Projects

Bath Charter Township faced significant challenges with its outdated wastewater collection system, including an aging, corroded sewer line and limited capacity to handle heavy rainfall. During storms, Lift Station 203 required manual operation to prevent overflows, adding inefficiency and strain to the system. The setup also relied on an additional lift station, increasing maintenance needs and operational complexity.

To resolve these issues, a comprehensive plan was developed, which included installing an oversized trunk sewer to act as an equalization storage basin, helping manage high flow volumes and prevent backups. A new Lift Station 203 was constructed at a different location, allowing for the removal of an additional lift station, simplifying operations.

The project was completed in two phases. Phase one, finished in late 2018, involved constructing a large sewer basin, installing new sewer lines, building a new lift station, and demolishing two old lift stations. Phase two continued with more sewer line installations and the demolition of another lift station. Regular updates were shared on Bath Township’s website to keep residents informed.

This project not only addressed capacity and efficiency concerns but also streamlined the system, setting the stage for improved wastewater management and future upgrades.

Cannon Township created a charming 10-foot-wide trail over a half mile long that connects Townsend Park to the historic downtown Cannonsburg, offering a scenic three-mile route from Cannon Township Hall to downtown. This paved trail features a striking 40-foot prefabricated bridge over Bear Creek and a 100-foot wooden boardwalk that gracefully spans the floodplain and wetlands. Built to MDOT H-10 loading standards, it can handle emergency vehicles while still maintaining a tranquil, park-like atmosphere. Special care was taken to protect Bear Creek, a cold-water trout stream, ensuring the trail met all environmental standards.

To maintain Townsend Park’s distinctive character, an old gravel parking lot was transformed with topsoil, steps, and tree plantings, blending seamlessly into the natural surroundings. Cannon Township secured easements and worked closely with the Kent County Parks Department and local property owners to ensure smooth integration and enhance the trail’s beauty.

Designing the trail to meet ADA requirements posed some challenges, such as keeping the trail grade under five percent, which required cutting into the wooded hillsides. Retaining walls, grassy slopes, and new tree plantings were used to create a functional and attractive trail. Special seed mixes were planted on steep slopes to prevent erosion and maintain the environment’s integrity.

With permits from EGLE, the construction was carefully monitored to minimize impacts on the stream and wetlands, ensuring that the natural beauty of the area was preserved for everyone to enjoy.

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, established in 1963, is located along the scenic Lake Michigan shoreline south of Muskegon. It offers campsites, beach access, a visitor center, and hiking trails. A highlight of the park is the 4.1-mile pedestrian loop trail featuring a dune climb with a 193-step wooden staircase. This stairway leads to the top of one of the tallest parabolic dunes in the park, providing stunning views of Lake Michigan.

The decades-old stairway had come to a point where it needed replacement. Leaning posts, sagging stairs, and rotting timbers caused safety and accessibility concerns. The initial plan was to replace both the stairway and observation deck at the same time, but budget availability resulted in first replacing the stairway, which was the most crucial part to replace.

Due to the site’s remote location and sensitive environment, careful methods were needed to deliver construction materials without damaging the critical dunes. The area’s dense woods and steep slopes limited access, making small-wheeled vehicles the best option for transporting and installing materials.

Prein&Newhof worked with Hoffmaster State Park staff to design a longer-lasting replacement for the dune climb stairway and observation deck. A crucial element of this project was to improve the experience of thousands of students who visit the site every year to learn about the dune environment. Working with DNR staff, P&N’s design increased the size, improved the view at overlooks, and widened the walkways to allow a safer and more appealing environment for educational events.

The Fred Meijer Standale Trail, a scenic 6.5-mile route linking Walker and Grand Rapids, faced a major safety challenge where it intersected with the busy Lake Michigan Drive, a key thoroughfare in the area. Without a designated crossing option like a pedestrian tunnel or bridge, trail users were left to navigate five lanes of fast-moving traffic at street level. This posed a serious safety risk, particularly for the many GVSU students and other pedestrians who relied on the trail for commuting and recreation.

Rather than choosing traditional options like overpasses or crosswalks, the decision was made to construct a pedestrian tunnel, offering a safer and uninterrupted path for trail users. Inspired by successful designs in Greenville and the nearby Three Mile Road project, this tunnel incorporates a plaza, retaining walls, lighting, and landscaping to enhance the overall user experience.

Collaboration with key stakeholders such as MDOT, Consumers Energy, and the City of Grand Rapids was essential to addressing utility challenges and ensuring the tunnel’s smooth integration into the community. The result is a practical, community-focused solution that improves safety while creating a welcoming environment for GVSU students, commuters, and recreational users alike.

The result is a vital, community-centered solution that blends practical functionality with aesthetic appeal, ensuring both safety and a welcoming environment for GVSU students, commuters, and recreational users alike.

As Michigan’s regional trail network grows, crossing major highways has become a safety concern. In Ionia, the busy M-66 posed a challenge for Phase II of the Grand River Valley Rail Trail. A pedestrian traffic study demonstrated there were not enough safe crossing gaps, leading MDOT to approve a non-motorized bridge despite higher costs.

The new “Bulldog Blue” bridge, named after Ionia High School’s colors, stands out with its unique arch/truss design. Spanning 80 feet with a 20-foot clearance, it combines functionality and aesthetics, featuring a concrete deck supported by a truss and cable arch. ADA-compliant, the bridge also includes a railroad theme, color-changing lights, and a “Welcome to Ionia” sign, branding the city and boosting economic development. The project included two miles of paved trail through downtown Ionia which was completed in a single season.

Funded by the Meijer Foundation’s maintenance endowment, the trail is part of the 125-mile Fred Meijer River Valley Rail Trail network, and one of the nation’s longest. This network creates “Trail Towns,” boosting local economies, improving quality of life, and promoting health and sustainable travel in communities across Michigan.

In 2014, the City of Cadillac aimed to revitalize its downtown Heritage Plaza to create a vibrant, welcoming space that truly captured the city’s spirit. Partnering with the Michigan Municipal League through the MIplace Partnership initiative, Cadillac developed a PlacePlan to transform the area into Cadillac Commons—a central hub for both residents and visitors.

The re-imagined Cadillac Commons features key attractions including the Rotary Performing Arts Pavilion, The Plaza, The Trailhead, and The Market. Enhancements to the Plaza include a new splash pad, an outdoor fireplace, and a stylish metal arch, all designed to create a more inviting atmosphere. Overhead utilities were relocated underground to maintain a visually appealing downtown.

The Market, a versatile 6,000-square-foot pavilion, is the centerpiece of the transformation. It hosts events such as the Cadillac Farmers’ Market and the Cadillac Made in Michigan Artisan and Farm Market, providing a dynamic space for local vendors and community gatherings. The redevelopment has successfully turned Cadillac Commons into a bustling center for community activities and local culture.

Park Township recognized the need for a strategic approach to managing its extensive park system, which includes trails, playgrounds, and boat launches. To ensure long-term sustainability and effective maintenance, the Township sought a comprehensive plan for asset management.

Leveraging experience from similar projects, a Parks Asset Management Plan (AMP) was proposed. Utilizing GPS technology and digital photography, a detailed inventory of all park assets was created and integrated into a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) platform. This system provides valuable insights into the condition, location, and needs of recreational facilities and natural areas.

The AMP now offers Park Township a clear overview of park assets, directly informing their Five-Year Recreation Master Plan and Capital Improvement Plan. This proactive approach enhances maintenance planning, ensures financial sustainability, and helps preserve the quality of the park system, benefiting residents with improved recreational opportunities and long-term cost savings.

As passenger traffic at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City steadily increased, airlines began deploying various aircraft types to meet growing market demands. Recognizing the need to accommodate this growth, TVC collaborated with engineering experts to successfully demonstrate to the FAA that a runway extension was essential for the airport’s capacity and safety.

The project focused on a 400-foot extension of Runway 28 and the relocation of the airport’s only instrument landing system (ILS). These upgrades were strategically aimed at enhancing operational safety and efficiency. Despite the complexity, the airport remained fully operational throughout the project, thanks to a meticulously planned, multi-phase construction approach.

Key project highlights include:

• The glide slope antenna was moved, and a new medium-intensity approach lighting system with runway alignment indicator lights was installed.
• Temporary and permanent precision approach path indicators were added, and the Automated Surface Observation Station weather equipment was relocated to improve flight safety.

The runway now allows aircraft to operate with minimal load reductions during the summer and provides additional braking distance during winter operations. This upgrade also enables airline pilots to decelerate and turn onto a taxiway closer to the terminal, significantly reducing ground taxi times and minimizing runway occupancy.

The City of Muskegon’s Lakeshore Drive reconstruction was a key project aimed at revitalizing the Lakeside neighborhood and boosting its appeal. The initiative addressed aging infrastructure, a deteriorating road surface, and outdated utilities, all of which limited the area’s growth potential.

City leaders, residents, businesses, and the neighborhood association collaborated closely to shape the project’s vision and ensure it met the community’s needs. The $6 million project involved resurfacing Lakeshore Drive, replacing two major water mains, and adding modern amenities such as updated street lighting, crosswalks, benches, bicycle racks, and enhanced landscaping.

The successful completion of the project not only improved essential infrastructure but also transformed the neighborhood into a more inviting space, setting the stage for future waterfront development and greater community engagement.

City of Parchment

In 2018, the City of Parchment discovered dangerously high PFAS levels in its drinking water, impacting approximately 3,100 homes and businesses in Parchment and Cooper Township. The contamination posed an immediate health risk, prompting swift action.

Parchment, Cooper Township, and Kalamazoo quickly shut down the contaminated wells and established emergency connections to Kalamazoo’s water system. Within a day, Kalamazoo began flushing the system to clear out the contaminated water. In just 21 days, three permanent water connections were designed, permitted, and constructed.

Following the emergency response, Kalamazoo secured a DWSRF loan to extend water mains and connect additional homes in affected areas. The project began in 2020 and was completed by summer 2021, ensuring a safe, long-term water supply for hundreds of homes and resolving the crisis for the community.

Richland Township

In 2016, PFAS contamination was discovered in Richland Township, affecting local drinking water wells. To address this urgent health concern, the City of Kalamazoo sought funding through the DWSRF program to expedite the design and construction of a water main extension, connecting affected homes to a safe water supply.

In 2019, the state introduced the C2R2 grant program to assist communities dealing with contamination. By quickly adapting the funding request, Kalamazoo secured one of the first C2R2 grants. With accelerated design and funding in place, the project went to bid in the fall of 2019 and was completed by spring 2020—marking the first of two critical water main extensions.

Following the success of the first project, Kalamazoo obtained additional DWSRF funding for a second extension into more PFAS-affected areas. Completed by spring 2021, this project ensured clean, safe water for even more homes, securing long-term protection for the community.