Client:
Berkley School District Location: Berkley and Oak Park, MI Prime Consultant: NTH Consultants, Ltd. Client Name/Contact: Lawrence J. Gallagher Total NTH Budget: $59,800 Project Start: July 2008 Project Completion: October 2008 NTH’s Value Added: NTH successfully negotiated with the Contractor on construction at Rogers Elementary. Repairs had to be completed by the end of October and disruption to normal school functions was unacceptable and a potential hazard. Therefore, the Contractor agreed to complete the lot reconstruction in the summer of 2009 and provide temporary repair to the hazardous condition in the parking area by the end of October in 2008.
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Berkley School District
Pavement Replacement and Restriping Project Overview
NTH Consultants, Ltd. (NTH) was retained by the Berkley School District (BSD) to provide various services on Norup International and Rogers Elementary. Concerned about safety as well as inconveniences due to deteriorating pavement, the BSD requested probable costs for various options to ensure repairs and construction activities would fit within the BSD budget. Project Scope NTH performed an evaluation of the existing parking lots at both schools to determine whether the pavement could be rehabilitated or repaired and to what extent. NTH took site photos and conducted on-site inspections at each school and performed a geotechnical investigation. After evaluating the geotechnical report and site visit notes, NTH offered the BSD several options ranging from milling and overlay of existing asphalt to full-depth removal and reconstruction of asphalt and concrete pavement. A construction cost estimate was prepared for each option, allowing the client to make an informed decision for each parking area while addressing budget and safety concerns. After several consultations with the BSD facilities manager, NTH proposed a plan meeting to address the client’s scheduling and budget concerns. The initial plan for both schools was to remove the existing pavement cross-section, remove and replace existing bumper blocks, and improve overall drainage for each parking area. No additional storm sewer or catch basins were anticipated based on early conversation with the City Engineer for Oak Park and Berkley. During the design phase for Norup International, however, the City of Oak Park (responsible review agency for the site), announced the requirement for an onsite detention for storm water due to new Michigan Department of Environmental Quality regulations. This requirement would be in addition to a curb and gutter and additional catch basins. Budget and scheduling concerns forced the BSD into a particularly difficult decision. However, NTH met with the City of Oak Park to reach a resolution on the issue: implementation of rain gardens. Rain gardens on the Norup site accomplished the following objectives: - Prevented run-off from directly flowing over a portion of sidewalk that had resulted in icy conditions and caused safety concerns for children in the past. - Provided a small area for storm water storage. Infiltration of storm water would occur through soils as well as transpiration through the plantings. - Provided an aesthetically pleasing, cost-effective solution to a long-term problem - Required little maintenance after easy installation. NTH also met regulations set forth by the Cities of Berkley and Oak Park, and the State of Michigan. Total parking space count after striping could not be altered in any significant manner. NTH had to ensure parking striping and handicapped parking spaces, after construction, met all review agency and current ADA requirements. Norup International was completed during scheduled school holidays and two normal business school days with minimal disruption to students, teachers, and parents. Moreover, NTH successfully negotiated with the Contractor on construction at Rogers Elementary. |