Planning / Schematic Design
The success of any project lies heavily on the thoroughness of the initial plan.
We partner with school districts, park districts, health care facilities and private developers to maximize their available space and project funds. Our engineers take a holistic approach to every project and draw on the expertise of a variety of in-house sub-disciplines to provide input on specialty issues, existing site conditions, regulatory requirements, and budgeting constraints.
We offer:
- Master Site / Campus Planning
- District-Wide Planning
- Site Feasibility Studies
- Property Evaluation Report / Property Condition Assessment
- Utility Planning
- Design Development
- Pavement Rehabilitation Programs
- Public Hearings
ALT-Facilities and Utilities Management
Public Works departments everywhere are experiencing alarming shortages of staff that threaten continuity of operations.
GHA is providing the experienced guidance and hands-on operational support needed to ensure delivery of essential services.
For some time now, Public Works has seen a decline in young people interested in pursuing careers within the industry. As a result, there have been fewer and fewer staff that develop into leadership roles. As time progresses, the staff who carry the crucial Public Works responsibilities reach retirement, leaving the agency and these services vulnerable.It is putting extra stress on villages, cities, townships, and counties.
GHA had a unique opportunity to develop solutions to the operations gaps when Mike Grinnell joined our team. Mike was previously a well-known and respected leader with Lake County Public Works, whose vast experience could fuel insights for GHA’s many projects involving public works coordination. This experience led to our ability to provide needed assistance with Water Operations for client agencies, as well as groundbreaking advances in manhole condition assessment technology.
This new collection of services was very well-received and further developed as we attracted other well-known leaders in the Public Works arena. GHA now provides a large range of key Operations services through the formation of our Facilities and Utilities Management Division.
Some key services GHA’s Facilities and Utilities Management Division provide are:
Filling voids of staffing reduction programs with part-time water/waste operators
- ROINC duties
- Full or assist in daily responsibilities for wells, reservoirs, lift stations
- Full or assist in daily responsibilities for water or sewer systems
Oversight of sewer collection systems
- CCTV/Cleaning programs
- Evaluation of collection systems for rehabilitation recommendation
- Manage recommended repairs
Hydrant flushing and maintenance programs
- Inspection
- Flushing/Maintenance
- Flow/pressure testing
Valve exercising and maintenace programs
- Inspection
- Exercising
- Maintenance
Meter replacement projects
- Replacement programs
- Meter reading
- Trouble calls with residents
Staffing shortages in retirements or replacement of staff
- Short term for retirements/hiring delays
- Seasonal Increase workload
- Reduce need for staff – saving client the expense of salary, benefits, training
Guidance with capital and budgeting assistance planning
- Review long term village goals on assets
- Make recommendation on budget planning for water and sewer systems
Annual & long-term preventative maintenance programs
- Develop annual, long-term, and 10-year preventive maintenance programs
- Review and enhance existing plans
- Capital Improvement Planning
Have Questions?
Mike Grinnell
Director of Facilities and Utilities Management
MGrinnell@GHA-Engineers.com
ALT-Construction Engineering 2
Our engineering team works tirelessly on behalf of our clients and is dedicated to careful project management, the latest technological advances and monitoring of the construction process.
Our field staff represents clients in dealings with contractors, cooperating governmental agencies, the traveling public and the taxpayer. It is our practice to collaborate with the construction industry to achieve maximum efficiency in producing a quality product. We are devoted to being proactive and keeping an open line of communication with you and the community.
Each of our construction staff is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment required for the most efficient and cost-effective systems for delivering timely, budget-sensitive results. Our construction phase services are provided by licensed professional engineers, career-degreed professionals and technicians with a wealth of experience and knowledge in all types of public and private site construction.
We offer:
Resident
Engineering
With our expertise in construction processes and documentation, our field staff can fulfill the requirements of state, county and local governmental agencies. We stay up-to-date with the most current design and construction standards in order to make expedient field changes as required.
NPDES Compliance Monitoring
We have certified National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) compliance monitoring personnel who verify that project sites meet or exceed best management practices as stated in ILR10 permit applications. Our field personnel inspect, document, report and photograph the relevant construction activity.
Environmental Consulting
WE OFFER A RANGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES TO COMPLEMENT CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGN.
Regulatory requirements are tightening in an effort to protect our natural resources. Our environmental scientists work side-by-side with our engineers from the initial planning phase through construction closeout to ensure our project designs are proactive and sustainable. We provide on-going consulting services to municipalities and townships to help maintain compliance with state stormwater requirements. And we even prepare grant applications and manage funded programs – just one more way we help you save money.
We offer:
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Preparation and Monitoring
- Stormwater Management Plan Preparation and Compliance Monitoring
- Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program Preparation and Compliance Monitoring
- Wetland Services
- Wetland Delineations, Permitting and Mitigation
- Wetland Monitoring Reports and Management Plans
- Wetland Mitigation Banking
- Coordination of Threatened and Endangered Species Studies
- Forestry Services
- Tree Inventories, Valuation Appraisals and Preservation
- Tree Risk and Hazard Evaluations
- Urban Forestry
- Emerald Ash Borer (Pest) Management Plans
- Forestry Management Plans
- Environmental Assessments (EAs)
- Natural Resource Inventories
- Grant Application and Management
- Federal, State and Local Funds
- Environmental, Recreation, Water Resources and Transportation Projects
Permitting
Our established relationships with government agencies help alleviate frustration during the permitting process.
The number of agencies with jurisdiction over even a small project, and the regulations and requirements involved, can be overwhelming. Gewalt Hamilton developed long-term relationships with federal, state and local agencies with jurisdiction over your project, providing us with direct contacts for questions or concerns.
We work with:
- Federal Agencies
- US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
- US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
- State Agencies
- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
- Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
- Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA)
- Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
- County / Regional Agencies
- Stormwater Management Agencies
- Soil and Water Conservation Districts
- County Divisions of Transportation
- Township Highway Departments
- Local Governments
- Municipal Departments
- Municipal Boards and Councils
Clients / Markets
The type of client typically drives the development process for any project.
Publicly funded improvements led by park districts, school districts or other civic agencies can fall under significant public scrutiny and often require stakeholder input. Accordingly, our approach to the project development process is driven by our awareness of our client’s accountability to its constituents.
Privately funded projects are frequently under ambitious schedules, which require accelerated design and permitting.
Gewalt Hamilton’s professionals are well versed in federal, state and local regulatory requirements, minimizing the need for revisions and expediting the review process. Our experience, combined with our municipal consulting background, provides us with unique insight into the planning and development nuances specific to each clients.
We offer:
- Education / Campus
- K-12 Public and Private
- Colleges and Universities
- Parks and Recreation
- Active and Passive Recreation
- Natural and Synthetic Turf Athletic Fields
- Golf Courses
- Health Care
- Hospitals
- Assisted Living Facilities
- Continuing Care Facilities
- Hospice
- Medical Office Buildings
- Government Facilities
- Village / City Hall
- Police Station
- Fire Station
- Public Safety Facility
- Library
- Commercial / Retail
- Corporate Headquarters / Branch Offices
- Warehouse / Industrial
- Big-box Retail
- Restaurants
- Pharmacies
- Banks
- Mixed-use Developments
- Residential
- Apartment / Condominium
- Mixed-use Residential
- Residential Subdivision