Projects

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.

The Boardman Lake Loop is a scenic 4.2-mile trail encircling Boardman Lake, just south of downtown Traverse City. It offers a mix of urban and natural landscapes, providing access to commercial areas in the north and dense woodlands in the east. The trail connects key community assets, including the library, a food market, Northwestern Michigan College University Center, and various neighborhoods.

In 2015, local leaders prioritized closing a long-standing 1.6-mile gap in the trail. After considering various options, they decided on a bold plan to cross the lake at a shallow point. Despite challenges like constructing a long boardwalk in soft underwater soil, the potential for scenic views and wildlife protection made this option appealing.

The final design featured land routes, a boardwalk over the lake, water access amenities such as stairs and a fishing deck, and two bridges over the Boardman River.

Construction presented several significant challenges, especially with the peat-filled, shallow lake bottom where the boardwalk was to be built. Traditional construction equipment was not effective, so a swamp excavator was used to navigate the soft terrain without the need for dredging.

After over 30 years of planning and construction, the loop was completed in July 2022. The trail has since become a popular and cherished community asset, demonstrating that the long wait was worthwhile.

In 2017, PFAS contamination was discovered in the private wells of many residents in Plainfield and Algoma Townships, prompting a collaborative response to provide safe municipal water. Wolverine Worldwide tested wells and supplied bottled water and filtration systems to affected households, while local leaders and engineers devised a solution to address the contamination.

A pilot study was initiated to explore the effectiveness of modifying existing rapid sand filters at the water treatment plant with granular activated carbon (GAC). Funded by a $750,000 grant from the State of Michigan, the study tested different filter configurations to optimize PFAS removal. The initial results were promising, with the modified filters successfully meeting water treatment standards and eliminating PFAS.

The project involved replacing the traditional filter media with GAC, modifying filter bottoms to accommodate a deeper bed of GAC, and raising the piping. Completed in Fall 2018, the pilot phase upgraded five filter beds to handle up to 9 million gallons per day (mgd). Further upgrades increased the capacity to 12 mgd, meeting peak summer demands. Additional filters were modified in subsequent years, achieving a total capacity of 16 mgd.

The successful pilot study provided a model for addressing PFAS contamination and set a precedent for future municipal water treatment projects.

The South Clay Hill neighborhood in Muskegon faced a critical issue with the aging 90-year-old Beidler trunk sanitary sewer, which served over 400 homes and businesses. Prone to frequent failures and located in difficult-to-access areas, the sewer collapsed during Thanksgiving 2019, causing significant backups. Emergency pumps were quickly installed to restore flow, and a trenchless repair method was used to minimize disruption, allowing a new pipe to be installed through existing manholes without major excavation.

Following this emergency repair, a more comprehensive replacement project was initiated. This was not just a standard sewer upgrade—it was an opportunity to rethink the system’s entire design for long-term durability and efficiency. The project team took a fresh approach, focusing on resolving long-standing issues. Aging pipes were replaced or lined, sewer flow was rerouted to a new lift station, and large sections of outdated infrastructure were abandoned to prevent future risks. This redesign bypassed a problematic creek bed and addressed persistent grade issues.

Key improvements included a new lift station, nearly a mile of force main, 1.5 miles of new sewer, 2,600 feet of water main replacement, and full road reconstruction.

The project was funded with low-interest financing through Michigan’s EGLE Revolving Funds program. The City received 70 percent principal forgiveness on sewer work and 20 percent on drinking water improvements, offering significant savings to residents.

This project, the largest and most complex Muskegon has undertaken in decades, marked a transformative upgrade to the city’s infrastructure. By replacing the most at-risk sewer in the system, it dramatically improved reliability and set a new standard for future infrastructure projects.

Mill Creek, a tributary of the Grand River, winds through Dwight Lydell Park in Comstock Park. In the late 1800s, concrete walls were constructed along the creek to support a state fish hatchery. Over the years, these walls deteriorated, creating safety hazards and environmental concerns. The park’s proximity to the Grand River also made it vulnerable to frequent flooding.

To address these issues, a comprehensive solution was implemented, focusing on stormwater management and flood risk reduction to safeguard both the park and the surrounding community. The project involved removing the old concrete structures and replacing them with natural channel design and bio-engineered erosion control to stabilize the creek banks. A floodplain bench was added at the park’s eastern end to temporarily store floodwaters during heavy rain or snowmelt.

To stabilize the creek’s banks and reduce sediment transport, the project maintained the creek’s natural dimensions using bioengineering techniques to secure the soil after the concrete linings were removed.

The revitalization also brought new amenities to the park, such as an elevated boardwalk, a pedestrian bridge, and a scenic overlook to enjoy the natural surroundings. The bridge connects the park to the Comstock Park Library parking lot, while the boardwalk links the Lamoreaux Drive neighborhood to the Dwight Lydell Park parking lot, enhancing access and enjoyment for the community.

In 2016, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) embarked on a plan to enhance veterans’ homes across the state to better meet growing healthcare needs. The Grand Rapids Veterans Home, established in 1885, was chosen for a significant overhaul. The site, however, posed unique challenges, including underground tunnels and abandoned infrastructure.

Teaming with the architectural firm TowerPinkster, a comprehensive design solution was developed to preserve the site’s historical significance while modernizing accommodations for over a hundred veterans. The new community-style residential model features four small-house neighborhoods, all on a single level for optimal ADA accessibility.

Addressing the complexities of existing underground structures, new stormwater and sewer infrastructure was installed without compromising the historic elements. Landscaped paths and gardens were also added to enhance the residents’ environment.

Completed in 2021 at a cost of $62.9 million, the revamped Grand Rapids Veterans Home now offers a modern, accessible, and comfortable living space that supports Michigan’s veterans and their families while preserving the site’s historical charm.

For nearly two decades, the City of Walker faced the challenge of replacing and widening the Walker Avenue bridge over the Coopersville & Marne Railway. The aging concrete box beam bridge had become a critical bottleneck, with its weight restrictions making maintenance increasingly costly and replacement estimates soaring to nearly $6 million.

The bridge’s limitations extended beyond infrastructure issues; it also hindered BISSELL’s expansion plans and created significant safety hazards for vehicles, particularly semi-trucks navigating the narrow, unsafe bridge.

To address these issues, Walker devised a bold and innovative solution: removing the bridge entirely and converting the road to an at-grade crossing. This involved raising the rail grade and lowering the road grade to improve sight distance and eliminate the need for future bridge inspections and maintenance. Additionally, an overhead signal was installed to further enhance safety.

This comprehensive approach not only resolved the immediate safety concerns but also paved the way for new growth and development in the area. The project’s success enabled BISSELL to invest $6.3 million into their facility, leading to the creation of 99 new jobs. What began as a challenging infrastructure problem transformed into a catalyst for revitalization, turning the area into a safer, more accessible, and prosperous corridor for the community and businesses alike.

For over 35 years, Ludington leaders envisioned a central gathering place to invigorate downtown and celebrate local heritage. In 2007, this vision began to materialize with the closure of a one-way street, setting the stage for the creation of Legacy Plaza—a dynamic new space designed to enhance community life.

Legacy Plaza involved extensive infrastructure improvements, including upgrades to water mains, storm drainage, sewer systems, and electrical networks. The project required careful planning to seamlessly integrate these essential services beneath the site.

The new plaza features a farmers market pavilion, a raised performance stage, a restroom facility, decorative lighting, and inviting green spaces. It pays tribute to a maritime heritage with a four-color brick paver compass rose and a gas fireplace, designed in collaboration with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians to reflect Native American heritage. The design also celebrates the area’s lumbering history with timber elements and replica custom lumber stamps in the concrete.

Legacy Plaza includes sustainable features such as native rain gardens, LED lighting, and a water bottle filling station.

Legacy Plaza embodies a core value: people. Every aspect of its design is intended to enhance user experience and serve as a backdrop for a vibrant community. By revitalizing the downtown area, Legacy Plaza has become an essential gathering place and a significant asset to the Ludington community.

In 2017, rising water levels at Eagle Lake and Crooked Lake in Texas Charter Township led to severe flooding, damaging homes and infrastructure, and making it difficult for residents to secure flood insurance. By May 2018, the situation was critical, with widespread flooding causing extensive property damage and forcing costly sump pump operations.

In response, Texas Charter Township rallied residents and stakeholders to establish legal lake levels and form a special assessment district to fund necessary infrastructure improvements. Public education campaigns were launched to raise awareness about flood risks and collective action.

A key issue with the lake levels was that there was no water outlet for either lake. A temporary pumping system was designed to transfer excess water from Eagle Lake to Crooked Lake and then to Bass Lake, which drains into the Kalamazoo River, with filtration to prevent invasive species spread.

The long-term solution involves a comprehensive flood mitigation plan featuring permanent pumping stations and force main piping to regulate water flow between the lakes. Additionally, filters from the temporary system were incorporated into a permanent facility to ensure ongoing environmental protection.

The project’s success was achieved through collaboration among the township, engineering experts, regulatory agencies, and the community. Continued monitoring and public education will be essential for maintaining resilience against future flooding.