land survey

H2M evaluated a variety of reconstruction methods for the residential roads, Tennessee Avenue and Albemarle Avenue in Hempstead. The residential roads serving Tennessee Avenue and Albemarle Avenue in Hempstead exhibited severe deterioration and warranted substantial reconstruction. H2M evaluated a variety of reconstruction methods based on a geotechnical investigation of the existing pavement and underlying soils and ultimately recommended the use of in-place recycling as the preferred method. This alternative incorporated green infrastructure techniques by salvaging most of the existing asphalt pavement and incorporating it into the new pavement section. Both streets utilized concrete curb and gutter to address nuisance flooding due to extremely flat longitudinal slopes. The project also incorporated minor drainage improvements to address flooding in low areas.

The Town of Brookhaven Department of Housing and Community Development retained H2M to develop contract documents for the installation of curb and sidewalk along 4,800 feet of Wilson Avenue. The roadway elevations were extremely flat and included minimal drainage infrastructure. We completed a topographic survey of Wilson Avenue and developed profiles of the new curb and sidewalk to ensure minimal slope could be maintained along the gutters for purposes of stormwater management. We designed additional drainage storage to supplement the existing drywell system on Wilson Avenue. During construction, we provided surveying services to stake out the new curb and sidewalk; as well as construction observation and administration services.

H2M was retained by Landing Cove LLC to provide land surveying, civil engineering, and landscape architectural services in connection with the development of the Glen Cove Mews, a 72 condominium unit on approximately 5.6 acres of the 9.34 acre Temple Tifereth Israel property on Hill Street in Glen Cove, New York. The temple will continue to exist on the remainder of the site with cross-access provided between the two land uses. H2M provided the boundary, topographic, and existing tree surveys as well as the complete site/civil engineering and landscape architectural services for the proposed condominium development and parking improvements for the temple site. The civil/site engineering services included the dimensional layout of the seven proposed condominium buildings, the associated access roads and parking facilities, refuse storage areas, walking paths, gazebos, sitting areas, and other recreation facilities. H2M also prepared the grading and drainage plans for the entire property, the internal sanitary sewer system plans for connection to the Nassau County sewer system, and the design of various retaining walls needed due to the extensive changes in grade across the property. The landscape architectural services provided by H2M included the preparation of a tree preservation plan, overall site planting plan, individual unit planting plans, and the detailing of the various site amenities.

The use of the site as a duck far has compromised the environmental characteristics of the site and geometry of the stream funning through the property. This project included remediating the impacted portions of the site and development of a new Suffolk County Park. Based on an inventory of remedial actions, H2M designed modifications to the stream and surrounding property including removal of dilapidated buildings and contaminated soil, installation of interpretive hiking trails and new parking facilities, modifications to existing drainage systems and replacement of an undersized culvert.

The Town of Smithtown needed assistance in restoring the stream flow capacity in the Northeast Branch of the Nissequogue River. These improvements increased the stream’s ability to convey excess groundwater and stormwater away from the headwaters of the watershed. Throughout the years, the Northeast Branch was subjected to significant sediment deposition from adjacent neighborhood stormwater drainage systems. These deposits caused flow restrictions, decreased hydraulic capacity of culverts and streams, and degraded surface water quality. In addition, a recent upward trending of the local groundwater table in the area led to severe groundwater flooding problems for local residents. To assist the Town, we initially evaluated a 1,200 linear foot reach of the stream (Phase I), along with 30 acres of high quality environmentally sensitive habitat adjacent to the stream. Working with our subconsultant, Land Use Ecological Services (LUES), we provided existing conditions mapping including topographic survey mapping, wetland delineation, ecological and vegetative inventories, and habitat analysis. A sediment sampling program was performed to establish the location and depth of the historic stream bed and to delineate areas of accumulated sediment. Phase II of this project addressed similar issues for a 2,900 linear foot reach located immediately south of NYS Route 347. Working with representatives from the Town of Smithtown Engineering Department and NYSDEC, the H2M/LUES team then developed detailed plans for removing deposited sediment from the stream channel, while minimizing disruption to existing habitat. The final plan optimized construction methods and equipment to be utilized, with construction access routes and staging areas placed strategically to minimize disruption to environmentally sensitive areas. The final plan also addressed restoration of all disturbed areas, as well as mitigation measures to remove invasive species in the work area and replace them with native plantings. Finally, the H2M plan included several upland stormwater management recommendations designed to reduce the amount of sediment re-entering the stream channel after the initial project is completed. Phase I stream-related work was successfully completed in April 2010 and Phase II was completed during the first half of 2011.

In 2006, we began working with the Town of Hempstead Department of Planning and Economic Development in their ongoing effort to redevelop business districts at various locations within the Town. Our task was to improve the quality of the streetscape within designated business districts and coordinate the work with the Town’s Department of Planning and Economic Development, NCDPW, NYSDOT, business owners, architects, and the Town’s Street Lighting Division. Under our scope with the Town, we re-paved, designed new walkways, added new decorative lighting, street furniture, landscaping, and provided the communities with a new look and vision. Some projects were located in West Hempstead, Oceanside, and Uniondale; and involved surveying, complete landscape architecture and civil engineering designs. H2M completed three streetscape projects for the Town in West Hempstead, Oceanside, and Uniondale. The West Hempstead project, which was completed in 2008, consisted of the reconstruction of approximately 650 linear feet of sidewalk on the south side of Hempstead Turnpike between Nassau Boulevard and Munson Avenue. The Oceanside project consisted of the reconstruction of approximately 1,020 linear feet of sidewalk on the west side of Long Beach Road between Poole Street and Tilrose Avenue, and a 180 foot section of streetscape improvements adjacent to a Town parking field. The Uniondale project consisted of the reconstruction of approximately 650 linear feet of sidewalk on the east side of Nassau Road between the Southern State Parkway and Uniondale Avenue. These projects included utility mark-out, surveying, streetscape design, preparation of bid documents, and construction administration and inspection. The design consisted of creating a pavement pattern using concrete and decorative brick banding within the sidewalk area and strategically locating decorative sidewalk lighting, wire friendly street trees, benches and trash receptacles, as well as new curbing, handicap ramps, roadway restoration, and grading improvements. These improvements corrected the poor condition of the existing sidewalks, as well as enhanced the visual appearance of the business districts. The streetscape improvements will begin to connect the various business districts with a more uniform look throughout the Town.

H2M was retained for comprehensive civil engineering, land surveying and landscape architecture services for a 244 unit, ultra-luxury condominium project for RXR Realty. The project required approvals from Nassau County Department of Public Works, Nassau County Health Department, NYSDOT, NYSDEC and the New York State Department of State for minor variances from the NYS Fire Code. Due to the poor soils in the area, the project required the design of a unique storm drainage system utilizing injection wells penetrating through approximately 100 feet of poorly draining soils. The project is currently under construction.

The City of New Rochelle selected H2M to design improvements to existing drainage systems that serve a 2,000-acre watershed. The existing drainage system encompasses more than 5,900 linear feet of storm drain pipe which ranged in size from 12 to 66 inches in diameter, including a 55”x38” box culvert. Improvements were required to address significant flooding events within residential communities which occurred in 2007. A series of storms resulted in many homes and streets being flooded due to a drainage system which lacked the capacity to convey the intense rainfall. Portions of the existing drainage system were more than 100 years old and the system had been modified and extended numerous times since its original construction. As a result of this “piecemeal” construction, numerous types of unorthodox construction methodologies were utilized in order to connect the various sections of the drainage system. We conducted an accurate inventory and field survey of the existing drainage systems. This included a physical inspection of each accessible catch basin, manholes and junction boxes which comprise the system in order to verify pipe sizes and inverts. To supplement the visual inspection, video inspections and tracing dye were utilized to confirm pipe routing in areas where record information was unreliable. Once an accurate plan was developed for the existing system, appropriate improvements were designed based on a recent drainage study conducted by the City. Design improvements included combining parallel drainage lines, increasing pipe capacities and improvements to various drainage structures to improve hydraulics of the piping system. H2M prepared plans and specifications, and provided construction administration and inspection services for the project. This project was completed on schedule and within budget.