A contractor recently complimented one of our engineers on our large number of local projects.  While we are working on projects all over southern New England from Westerly, RI to Walpole, MA, the density of projects in our local community is striking.  A few of the most noteworthy include:

NE&C’s Active Local Projects

Cambria Suites – The old Seaview Inn will be replaced with an upscale hotel and conference center operated by Cambria Hotels & Suites. It will be the first of its kind in Middletown.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame – Called “the largest, most exciting project the Hall of Fame has ever taken on”, the site design maintains the historic ambiance of this area of Newport while improving parking, pedestrian traffic, and drainage for both the Hall of Fame and the City.

Seaspray Estates Subdivision – Six waterfront lots are proposed for this subdivision in Portsmouth.  Low Impact Development practices include bioretention filters and rain gardens to improve the quality of stormwater runoff.

Middle Creek Farm Subdivision – A proposed eleven lot subdivision that straddles the Middletown/Portsmouth border requiring permitting in both municipalities.

Prescott Point – Originally known as Freedom Bay, the proposed project now includes 97 single family homes, an assisted-living facility, tennis courts, walking trails, and a community pool.

NE&C is proud to contribute to the improvement of Aquidneck Island by providing survey and engineering services for these and other projects.  It is an honor to be recognized for our reputation, experience, and expertise.

 Out with the Old Inn with the View

Demolition of the old Seaview Inn

The old Seaview Inn in Middletown, Rhode Island has been demolished to make way for a new inn with a view. Located on Aquidneck Avenue with expansive water views, the inn will be replaced with an upscale hotel and conference center operated by Cambria Hotels & Suites. It will be the first of its kind in Middletown. The Newport Daily News quotes Jack Kane, the Middletown Building Official, “If you look at what it will do for the corporate park and the entire town, it’s definitely going to be an enhancement.” Northeast Engineers & Consultants, Inc. is privileged to have provided survey, civil engineering, and permitting services for the project.

NE&C provided multiple site development services from the initial concept planning through engineering design and permitting. NE&C continues to provide ongoing support through construction. The design includes a vegetated water quality pond with a permanent pool, an underground stormwater storage system, and a sand filter to protect the on-site wetlands and stream as well as downstream water bodies. The stormwater design was integrated into the overall site layout to complement the natural beauty of the property. In addition to stormwater management challenges, the existing topography also proved to be a challenge. Steep slopes and elevation differences required significant grading to accommodate the proposed building, driveways, and parking lots.

NE&C’s services include:

• Site Survey, Property Line Survey, and Construction Layout
• Structural design of Retaining Walls
• Concept Planning
• Administrative Subdivision
• Site Design
• Local and State Permitting

Photo Credit: Dave Hansen | Newport Daily News Staff photographer, used with permission

The International Tennis Hall of Fame CEO Mark Stenning called the $15.7 million dollar expansion project “… the largest, most exciting project the Hall of Fame has ever taken on”, reports the Newport Daily News.  NE&C completed the site design work for the expansion and renovation project that ceremoniously broke ground last week.  The project will include a new 16,000 square foot complex including locker rooms, fitness space, retail shops, and offices and a 21,000 square foot building housing six tennis courts; three indoor and three outdoor.  The Tennis Hall of Fame lists four key priorities: Create a modern, interactive museum; Add new tennis facilities and (potentially) squash courts;  Improve campus-wide amenities; and Expand their footprint.

NE&C is proud to be a part of a project that Newport City Council Vice Chairwoman Naomi Neville said will help add to the prestige of the Hall of Fame and the City itself.  We became involved in the project last summer and have provided hundreds of hours of survey and engineering services, including:

• Property Line and Topographic Surveys
• Parking Design
• Stormwater Management Design
• Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
• Utility Layout
• Administrative Subdivision
• State and Local Permitting
  
• Demolition Plans.

Our challenge was to blend the architectural design and building layout into the City’s existing infrastructure and topography and to meet stringent stormwater requirements.  The tight site constraints made this project particularly challenging.  The Site is bordered by both Memorial Boulevard and Freebody Street with little to no setback to work with.  The existing grades on both abutting roadways had to be maintained while also creating walkways internally that butt up against outside tennis court areas and the new buildings… all done while maintaining the official Tennis Court specifications. 

This was accomplished by designing gently sloping sidewalks, landscape areas, and parking lots.  Stormwater runoff requirements were met by utilizing a balance of pervious and impervious surface materials and incorporating multiple rain gardens into the landscaping.  The end result was a site design that will maintain the historic ambiance of this area of Newport and improve parking, pedestrian traffic, and drainage for both the Hall of Fame and the City.

Please contact us or call 401-849-0810 to discuss your site development project.