Engineering Projects
Lakes of the Four Seasons, Indiana
Property Owners Association
http://www.lofs.org
Lake on the Green Dredging
Lakes of the Four Seasons is a gated community with approximately 2,200 lots and is located five miles east of Crown Point, Indiana. Lake of the Green is one of the five man-made lakes and is approximately 13 acres in size. When this lake was constructed, about 86 lots abutted the lake and erosion control measures were not in place. Through the years, the lake filled in with runoff from the area. In the center of the lake, there was only two feet of water. A major fish kill occurred which then led to the attention of the Property Owners Association to dredge this lake and return it to its original condition which is approximately 10 feet of water at center.
The Lakes of the Four Seasons Property Owners Association was working with a different engineering consultant to develop a lake dredging project. The POA interviewed Radtke And Associates, Inc. and it was stated that the original cost could be lowered by a unique bidding system. A base design was designed by Radtke And Associates, Inc. and then a series of meetings with contractors were held to evaluate other alternatives. Through the advertising of this project, approximately 46 sets of plans were distributed throughout the United States and Canada to different contractors.
When bids were obtained, the contractor selected decreased the cost almost by one half of the original estimate. As part of the scope of services, Radtke And Associates, Inc. was on-site and determined the exact amount of material to be removed. Utilizing our GPS equipment and on-site measuring before and after dredging will determine final cost. It is expected that approximately 60,000 cubic yards of material will be pumped two and a half miles to an environmentally safe seepage pond.
Dam Report Study
The State of Indiana required that the Lakes of the Four Seasons POA evaluate the existing dams and develop a report addressing the safety of these facilities. Radtke And Associates, Inc. were retained to do this work and worked with MS Consultants, Inc. to fulfill the requirements of the state.
The first part of the project included surveying work and having divers view the dams under water. With the report from the divers, a study was completed and a report developed. In this report, an estimate was developed to determine the cost of repairs and developed a schedule of priorities for each of these items. The total estimated cost for this work is approximately $231,000. It is the recommendation that the work will be done in phases.
The work included sealing cracks and voids, repair spillway and gate stem, tree removal and backfill, repair pipe joints, add riprap, and replace concrete slope protection.
Truck City, Gary, IN
http://www.truckcityofgary.com
This project consisted of a 25 acre site located in Gary, Indiana. Truck sales and repairs are performed in their building. Radtke And Associates, Inc. designed and obtained approvals for all the site utilities and plans for this project. This included sanitary sewer lateral and water main to the building. The storm water design included a treatment system for the storm water discharge with the following features: oil separator, a four bay in front of a retention pond, and vegetative swales. Rule 5 erosion control plan was completed and all of the necessary approvals were obtained. The site plan was coordinated with the building facility and included semi-truck parking and fueling. Radtke And Associates, Inc. were retained by Larson-Danielson Construction Company who were the project developers.
Renaissance Academy, La Porte, IN
http://www.rschool.netSewer Construction
Radtke And Associates, Inc. designed an on-site wastewater treatment plant to handle the wastewater for the school complex which included the newly remodeled pole building and also the existing school. This design utilized a Presby system which was the first in the State of Indiana for commercial use.
The project was bid, awarded to a contractor, and a preconstruction meeting was held. LaPorte County contacted the Academy and stated they were planning on putting a sewer on Highway 20 and the Academy could connect to that sewer. After many delays, the county stated that they would not finance the sewer; therefore, they would not install the sewer. It was decided then that the Academy would design a sewer for their facility along Highway 20 to serve the homes and businesses in between the Academy and Highway 35 instead of constructing the Presby plant.
Radtke And Associates, Inc. designed a low pressure sewer system which was installed in the State Highway right-of-way. Since the Highway Department does not allow private water systems, Renaissance Academy worked with the Springfield Regional Sewer District to install this sewer. It was determined that an agreement needed to be developed between the Regional Sewer District and the Sanitary District of Michigan City. Radtke And Associates, Inc. worked with both organizations to write this agreement. Also, an agreement needed to be developed between the Springfield Regional Sewer District and the Renaissance Academy to install and maintain that system with no cost to the Springfield Regional Sewer District. After extensive reviews, all approvals were obtained and the sewer system was installed.
Thirty Nine North Conservancy District, La Porte, IN
Thirty Nine North Conservancy District installed a water and wastewater system approximately 10 years ago. Gary Radtke was the project and design engineer for the system. The mains were designed to serve a large industrial and commercial area plus some residential developments.
Radtke And Associates, Inc. was hired immediately after formation of the company and has worked for them ever since. One of the recent projects includes a water elevated tank that is in the planning and financing phase. Another project is determining what excess clear water enters the system. Three flow meters were installed and the problem was located. Radtke And Associates, Inc. worked with the City of La Porte Wastewater Department to install and obtain flow data.
Cherry Hill Subdivision, Valparaiso, IN
http://www.cherryhillvalpo.com
Cherry Hill Subdivision will consist of 238 lots that range in size from ¼ acre to ½ acre. Radtke And Associates, Inc. has established a plan to conserve the natural habitat. There will be underground storm pipes and retention ponds to treat and manage the storm water run off. The subdivision will include over 50 acres of habitat that will become a park and nature conservancy.
At the July 17, 2007, Porter County Planning Commission Meeting, one of the Board members stated: "I am impressed that this is probably the finest set of plans that I have seen. I have been against developing homes on this parcel and I am concerned on the density. If this is going to happen, this is probably the way it should happen." In the final approval, a commissioner stated that Radtke And Associates, Inc. should teach others firms how to design a subdivision and hopes to see more submitted from our firm.
Merchant Street Cottages, New Buffalo, MI
http://www.merchantstreetcottages.com
The proposed 26 charming cottages nestled together around a common, landscaped courtyard prove that bigger is not always better. With thoughtful designs, Radtke And Associates, Inc. site plan, planners, and designers worked with the award winning architect Ross Chapin.
Merchant Street Cottages brings the west coast trend of building smaller and greener to the Midwest for the first time. Suddenly, dwelling in the beach town of New Buffalo, Michigan, becomes more than just quaint, it becomes smart.
This development is an Eco-Smart environment, which means building green. Some of the building green techniques include: a landscaped courtyard that uses indigenous plants from the area - many harvested from the job site; common areas such as gardens, courtyard, mailbox kiosks, and sidewalk to save space and add character. The Storm Tech drain system treats and deposits all storm water on site. Natural grasses and non-toxic/non-allergenic foliage provide spaces that are kid and pet safe.
Merchant Street Cottages make building small feel generous. The sites are approximately 32 feet wide and 45 feet deep with 10 feet in between homes. Currently, there are three different cottages to choose from. There is the Coho, which is 1,128 square feet plus an optional, finished lower level. There is the Madrona SG, which is 1,548 square feet plus an optional, finished lower level and detached garage option. Then there is the Madrona RG, which is 1,548 square feet plus an optional, finished lower level and rear garage option.
Radtke And Associates, Inc. worked with the developer and architect to develop this site to a very functional complex and have done it without destroying the wooded area. Meeting state and local codes and obtaining a living environment so unique in Michigan was a real challenge, but it was accomplished.
East Edge at Miller Beach, Gary, IN
http://eastedgehomes.com
A development of 12 single family homes and 16 multifamily condominiums was designed on an entire city block located in Gary, Indiana. This block is located on the northeast corner of Gary in an area known as Miller Park. The services provided by Radtke And Associates, Inc. included drainage, grading, and utility designs and approvals.
The design was completed and submitted to the Department of Agriculture for Rule 5 compliance. There were no changes required by the Department of Agriculture or from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. A storm water permit was required and obtained from the Gary Sanitary District.
The uniqueness of this design requires no runoff for a 100 year flood frequency meeting and exceeding the City of Gary's requirements. Not only does the 10 year frequency need to be retained on-site, but so will the 100 year. The City of Gary is advanced in the requirements of storm water treatment so much that the design exceeded all the Federal and State requirements.
The final design of this facility included 28 rain gardens and two sections of perforated pipe that allowed discharge directly into the sub-grade. The rain garden plant materials also help to purify the storm water prior to discharge.
The existing sanitary sewer main, water main, and other utilities were evaluated and redesigned where needed. Radtke And Associates, Inc. worked with the utility companies to develop a system to minimize the disturbance to the area. A walkway for the residents of this complex was designed to enhance the quality of life in this development.
Whittaker Woods Subdivision, New Buffalo Twp, MI
http://www.golfwhittakerwoods.com
The client employed the services of Radtke And Associates, Inc. for the residential development in Michigan. A number of years ago, our client developed a subdivision with approximately 150 lots. This development is served by municipal water and waste water systems. After the contactor completed construction and started testing, the contractor was involved in a fatal accident on site.
This delayed the process of testing and State approval. Radtke And Associates, Inc. was employed as project managers for the retesting of the sanitary lines. The client's employees and equipment were managed by Radtke And Associates, Inc. Testing included mandrill testing, televising, and pressure testing. Because of the poor construction, there was leakage in the sanitary sewer and the lift station. Once all the construction repairs and testing are completed, a certification by Radtke And Associates, Inc. along with the Department of Environmental Quality approvals will be completed.
Centurian Utilities, Valparaiso, Indiana
Fox Chase Farms Subdivision
Centurian Utilities is an organization that operates wastewater treatment facilities for Fox Chase Subdivision which is located near Chesterton, IN. There are approximately 100 homes within this subdivision which was developed in the early 1990’s. The developer operated this system as the homes were constructed and finalized the last phase in approximately 1995. When the developer was operating the system, there were many complaints by the residents that services were not properly provided. The developer sold the utility in 2000 and a recirculating media filter was designed and constructed by the new owner allowing treatment to be either by reed beds or by a recirculating media filter. This filter was not constructed according to the plans and specifications and caused major problems. A new owner took over in 2002 and operated the system for approximately two years. Major complaints were received by the state and the current owner hired Radtke And Associates, Inc. in 2005 to operate and maintain the system.
Radtke And Associates, Inc. invested thousands of dollars to repair the major problems and developed communications with the homeowners and also the Property Owners Association. All problems could not be repaired at once since it was impossible to know what they were. The detailed maintenance system was developed with a 24/7 on-call service. Radtke And Associates, Inc. employed two staff members to maintain this system. Part of this maintenance plan is reading meters so that problems could be prevented and addressed prior to causing a major problem
The system consists of septic tanks and a pumping station on each home’s property that is constructed by the homeowner and is inspected, operated, and maintained by Radtke And Associates, Inc. The pump pumps out the effluent from the septic system through a one and one quarter inch pipe to a low pressure sewer main in the street. The size of the main varies from two inches to three inches. The main discharges into either the recirculating media filter or the reed bed system for secondary treatment. Once the effluent is treated in either of those facilities, the effluent is then pumped to a mound system which gives terchiary treatment before the water enters into the ground water.
Since operating this system, Radtke And Associates, Inc. made presentations to the homeowners association and has received many compliments on the total operation and maintenance of this facility. The administrative staff of Radtke And Associates, Inc. handles the monthly invoices and payments. Prior to Radtke And Associates, Inc. being involved, there was a 95 percent delinquency factor for payments. Since the new management, there are no delinquent accounts and only on rare occasions is there a late payment problem.
Many problems are being investigated which include laterals that were installed very poorly and some of the laterals were connected onto adjoining property’s laterals. Major inflow has occurred into the system from the start and is being investigated to determine how to eliminate it.