Engineering

Areas of Expertise > Sustainable Development

Pokagonek Édawat - Phases I & II Dowagiac, MI

Developed a Master Plan for this 320- acre, mixed-use site.
  • This 43-acre condominium development is one of the area’s first open space/cluster designs.
  • It consists of 17 single-family units on 20 lots, with environmental elements including restoration of the surrounding area to native prairie, woodlands and agricultural uses, preservation and accentuation of rare circular glacial depressions, and considerable open space around the homes.
  • The development also includes private roads and drives with interlocking pavers, walking paths, and underground public gas, electric, telephone, sanitary sewer, and cable.
  • Future phases will expand on the site restoration, and may include commercial and retail amenities.

This project received the Best Practices and Innovation Award by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, office of Native American Programs.

Services Provided:
Surveying - Site Design - Design Engineering - Construction Engineering - Right-of- Way - Construction Administration - Permitting - Landscape Architecture - Architecture
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Tribal Administration Building, Dowagiac, MI
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WAI provided the design/build firm with a clear description of the scope of work for comparative accurate bidding.
  • Coordination with USDA Rural Development, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) and consultation with the design/build firm.
  • The new Tribal Headquarters is be a one-story administration building, approximately 18,802 square feet and will feature a steel sustainable roof.
  • The building reflects cultural and traditional needs of the Pokagon Band and it's members.
  • The site features a wetland and native plants and flowers providing natural and native landscaping.

Services Provided:
Programming - Project Coordination - Preliminary Architectural Design - Site Engineering - Bid & Contract Administration - Development of a Design/Build Project Manual
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Watervliet Canoe Rampcanoe ramp
The pier is located on the north bank of the Paw Paw River and is approximately 80 foot long and 10 foot wide.
  • Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grant was used for a skate park and a canoe launch/fishing pier constructed in Hayes Park. 
  • It is designed to float up and down with the seasonal changes in the water depth. The deck is connected to shore with a hinged ramp and is designed for barrier free access.

 

Services Provided:
Design Engineering - Site Engineering - Bid & Contract Administration
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Mill Creek Park Porous
Parking Lot, Watervliet, MI

Parking lot allows stormwater to permeate the surface and seep back into the ground
  • The parking lot is a part of an ongoing recreation plan incorporating Hays Park and a river access area for walking, fishing and kayaking.
  • With the attributes of a paved lot, the City will not have to worry about untreated stormwater reaching the river directly.
  • The specially engineered lot allows stormwater to percolate through while maintaining surface load strength. Using a system of high-impact geotextile blocks, aggregate, soil, and turf grass, the porous pavement also helps to prevent puddles and ruts because stormwater will not normally pool on the surface.
  • The project was funded through the Great Lakes Commission’s Great Lakes Basin Program.
    • Services Provided:
    Design Engineering - Site Engineering - Bid & Contract Administration
   
   

 

Work In Progress

Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Community Center


The Community Center is intended to serve as a central gathering space for meetings, parties, celebrations, and other uses to benefit tribal citizens.  The location was chosen to minimize impact to the property.  The Community Center will be constructed of natural materials and is designed to meet the standards for LEED Silver Certification.  As a part of this project, 7.8 acres will also be planted with native prairie grasses.

Harbor Shores
Hideaway Development
Benton Harbor, MI

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The project will be a 58 lot residential development with a club house. The project is on the Paw Paw River and is adjacent to hole #6 of the Harbor Shores Golf Course. The project is designed to incorporate eco-friendly concepts. The site will have narrow bituminous roads with rain gardens along the edges to capture and clean up the storm water runoff. The native soils do not consist of good road bed material and will result in the use of various geotextile fabrics to reinforce the roadway. There are two county drains which will be modified as part of this project. Both of these drains will incorporate native stones and plantings to assist in the cleansing of the storm water as well as create the sound of cascading water. The site will be served with both sanitary sewer and water main.t

Nottawaseppi Huran Band of The Potawatomi
Mishkoswen Master Land Use Plan & Development Athens Township, MI -

A 13-unit development will be constructed north of T Drive and be accessed from the existing reservation property (Pamptopee Trail).  A private water system consisting of wells and 8” water main, new roads and five LEED homes are included in the project.

Maple Lake Water Quality Study,
Village of Paw Paw, MI

To improve the water quality of Maple Lake, the Village of Paw Paw is investigating alternatives to reduce the sediment and pollutant loads from stormwater entering along the southwestern bank.  The feasibility of alternate water quality treatment structures, in addition to rain gardens, will be determined as part of this study.    

 

he use of various geotextile fabrics to reinforce the proposed roadway. There are two county drains which will be modified as part of this project. Both of these drains will incorporate native stones and plantings to assist in the cleansing of the storm water as well as create the sound of cascading water. The site will be served with both sanitary sewer and water main.