Business Park - Indianapolis, Indiana
Services: wetland delineation and permitting, native landscaping, monitoring and maintenance of natural areas
JFNew was initially brought in by the developer to the project team for this 210-acre business park site near Interstate I-465 in Indianapolis. We first completed a wetland delineation on the site. Following the delineation, we worked closely with the Team to identify a layout that would maximize developable area while minimizing impacts to the identified wetlands. Working closely with the developer, JFNew designed wetland mitigation and prepared Individual Permit applications and Alternatives Analysis for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Indiana Department of Environmental Management permits. The mitigation plans called for incorporating native wetland shelves around the stormwater detention system. 
Although this practice is rarely proposed because survival of native plants is difficult with wildly fluctuating water levels in stormwater ponds, the developer committed to the concept because of the resulting aesthetics.
Following approval of the permits, JFNew prepared design/build plans and specifications for the mitigation wetlands. JFNew also provided input into native plant specifications for remainder of the project site. Subsequently, JFNew installed all wetland and prairie plants and manages all natural areas on-site to maintain the high aesthetic demand of the business park clientele.
The City of Indianapolis was awarded the 2003 America in Bloom (AIB) national beautification award beating out Boston and Rochester, NY in the over 500,000 population category. One of the sites the AIB judges visited was this business park.
Residential Development - Cincinnati, Ohio
Services: Cost/benefit analysis, design/build of water feature, supply and install native plant materials
JFNew worked with a developer to create an integrated, flowing water feature for the development that includes pools and channels. While the system appears to be naturally occurring, it maintains its flow through a series of pumps. JFNew presented a cost benefit analysis for the project to the developer showing an estimated gain in lot prices associated with the streamside properties. The developer approved implementation of all the proposed features and JFNew constructed the water features using design/build techniques.
Water features within the project consist of three streams totaling approximately 1500 feet. The entrance water feature includes a three-foot waterfall that feeds one of the streams. Within one of the other recirculating streams there are three small waterfalls. JFNew worked with a local engineering firm to calculate details for the concrete headwalls and coordinated with the general contractor to complete the construction.
Business Park - Matteson, Illinois
Services: Wetland delineation, BMP design, provide and install native plant materials, maintenance of natural areas.
JFNew worked with the general contractor to design Best Management Practices (BMPs) for on-site treatment of the storm water generated on the 200+ acre site. The site use required the majority of the site to be impervious, therefore significant runoff volumes would be created. JFNew's design solutions incorporated the BMPs to not only provide storm water management functions, but also met the project's wetland mitigation needs. Following design, JFNew was awarded the contract to provide and install over 11,000 wetland plugs in the wetland areas. A special spillway was also constructed with bio-engineering materials and native plants to fortify the stormwater wetland. This design eliminated the need for large amounts of stone or other conventional materials while still providing structural integrity to the earthen wall. Finally, JFNew installed turf seed in fescue buffer strips. The resulting naturalized areas provide filtration and transpiration functions to address water quality issues while creating habitat for other native species. JFNew's involvement has continued beyond installation by providing maintenance while the native materials mature.
Residential Development and Prairie Park - Mokena, Illinois
Services: wetland delineations, wetland and stream permitting, mitigation design, native plant supply and installation, and monitoring
JFNew coordinated with a developer to create a conceptual park master plan for a residential development that included wetland mitigation areas, prairie restoration, walking trails, and seating for birdwatching. A significant portion of the property includes the floodway of a stream that could not be developed for residential use. JFNew was working with the developer on several area projects that each required wetland mitigation. JFNew recognized the opportunity to utilize this area to create a recreational and aesthetic amenity for both the development and the community while also meeting the mitigation needs of several projects. On behalf of the developer, JFNew presented the master plan before the Mokena zoning board and obtained approval. JFNew also coordinated with the regulatory agencies to gain approval for developing the wetland mitigation within the park. The trails provide a variety of experiences including access to the dry and wet prairies, wetlands, ponds, and the stream while forming a connection to other existing and proposed parks and trails in the community. Throughout the coordination with the developer, JFNew identified probable costs for implementation of the plans. This included balancing of cut and fill to retain all soil within the site.
Following the design phase of the project, JFNew provided oversight of earthmoving activities during implementation of the park plan. JFNew also provided and installed all native plant materials. Because the area involved wetland mitigation, JFNew also provided annual maintenance of the wetland and prairie areas. Since completion of the park area, it has been transferred to the Mokena Parks Department following approval of the mitigation from the regulatory agencies.
