Project Overview

The City of Pontiac encompasses a variety of commercial, residential, educational, and industrial districts with well-established, although aging infrastructure systems. Each district and system present different environmental and health and safety concerns for residents, workers, and the environment. Many of these concerns arise unexpectedly and require a diverse set of technical skills to address. NTH was retained to provide as-needed professional engineering services for environmental, regulatory compliance, and health and safety projects that the City may encounter.

Since 1978, NTH Consultants, Ltd., has provided geotechnical, infrastructure, and environmental consulting services to the City of Pontiac. Our engineers and specialized professionals have been involved with several signature projects including the Pontiac Silverdome, Phoenix Amphitheater, M1 Concourse, and Telegraph Road Extension.

Project Scope

Some of the project services under our current contract include:

  • Conducting hazardous materials surveys of suspected lead and asbestos containing materials (ACM); retaining subcontractors to abate the hazardous materials, and verifying the suitability of the abated areas for safe reentry or in preparation for building demolition.
  • Managing underground storage tank (UST) removal and site closure and retaining subcontractors to safely evacuate and remove unused petroleum USTs. NTH personnel observed contractor operations to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and collected soil and groundwater samples to demonstrate petroleum residuals were properly removed. NTH completed and submitted the necessary regulatory documentation.
  • Performing building structural condition surveys of City facilities. Our infrastructure group assessed several buildings that the City was considering rehabilitating or leasing. The information generated included the integrity of roofing, structural elements, pavements, and foundations, with recommendations for needed maintenance or replacement, including cost estimates.
  • Preparing demolition plans and specifications for City-owned or condemned structures. The documents incorporated removal and management of ACM, as well as required air monitoring and reporting.
  • Managing and administering maintenance and monitoring of the City-owned closed municipal sanitary landfill. Tasks include groundwater, methane, and leachate sampling and analysis, data evaluation, and reporting to EGLE Materials Management Division. NTH also provides additional support to address historic environmental releases with a leachate extraction pumping system that we designed, installed, and continue to maintain. Permitting and reporting associated with the leachate discharge to the Oakland County Water Resources Commission (WRC) sanitary sewer system is also included in our services.
Project Challenge:

The City of Pontiac is faced with addressing multiple challenges due to aging infrastructure and vacant industrial properties. These challenges require diverse technical expertise and rapid response to address regulatory, structural, and environmental concerns effectively.

NTH Solutions:

NTH provides tailored environmental, regulatory compliance, and health and safety solutions as-needed professional engineering services, including hazardous materials surveys and abatement, underground storage tank removal and closure, structural condition surveys, demolition planning, landfill monitoring, and regulatory reporting.

Client Benefit:

NTH’s ability to quickly mobilize and provide a broad range of services helps the City of Pontiac address urgent and complex environmental issues in a timely manner. This collaboration allows the City to maintain compliance with regulatory standards, ensure public safety, and make informed decisions regarding the management, rehabilitation, or disposal of its assets.