In 2015, GPI broadened its services in planning and design with the acquisition of ORW, bringing 25 years of award-winning project experience in landscape architecture and transportation planning. Our Planning & Design group forms a core of creative designers to bring a project’s vision into reality. With the ever-changing demographics, a renewed emphasis has been placed on redevelopment of urban centers and accommodating the needs of multi-modal users. We continue to expand in this area with the many projects that now include complete streets principles, recreation areas, and trail designs.
Lackawanna Cut-Off Restoration Commuter Rail Study
Mountain Avenue Streetscape Improvements
Baldwin Interpretative Trail
Beech Tree Community
Franklin County Bikeway
Hampton Beach Improvement Plans
NYC Schools Pedestrian Safety Project
Perry Hall Renovation and Expansion
Sebonack Neck Golf Course
Tilton Park
Trestleview Riverfront Park
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Lackawanna Cut-Off Restoration Commuter Rail Study
Client/Owner: Lackawanna County and Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Rail Authority (PNRRA)
Location: Lackawanna County, PA
GPI Contact: Thomas Rowader, PE
Description: Commuter rail service from northeast Pennsylvania to Hoboken, New Jersey via the rail section known as the “Lackawanna Cut-Off” ceased operations in January 1970. In the late 1980s as Conrail was going through bankruptcy and dissolution, 28 miles of rail from the Delaware River Bridge to Port Morris, NJ was torn up and removed from the rail line. GPI completed engineering studies and preliminary engineering for this project to restore 28-miles of commuter rail service along a portion of the railroad owned and operated by the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority. This work updated some of the preliminary engineering and costs identified in a 2008/2009 Environmental Assessment. The corridor studied runs from Delaware Water Gap, PA to Andover, New Jersey.
Service: Planning and Design
To view the report, use these links:
www.gpinet.com/public/Lackawanna_Cutoff_Report_Dec_2019.pdf
www.gpinet.com/public/Appx_A_Lackawanna_Cutoff.pdf
www.gpinet.com/public/Appx_B_Lackawanna_Cutoff.pdf
www.gpinet.com/public/Appx_C_Lackawanna_Cutoff.pdf
www.gpinet.com/public/Appx_D_Lackawanna_Cutoff.pdf
www.gpinet.com/public/Appx_E_Lackawanna_Cutoff.pdf
www.gpinet.com/public/Appx_F_Lackawanna_Cutoff.pdf
www.gpinet.com/public/Appx_G_Lackawanna_Cutoff.pdf
www.gpinet.com/public/Appx_H_Lackawanna_Cutoff.pdf
www.gpinet.com/public/Appx_I_Lackawanna_Cutoff.pdf
www.gpinet.com/public/Appx_J_Lackawanna_Cutoff.pdf
www.gpinet.com/public/Appx_K_Lackawanna_Cutoff.pdf
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Mountain Avenue Streetscape Improvements
Client/Owner: Springfield Community Partnership
Location: Union County, NJ
GPI Contact: Paul M. Szmaida, LLA, ASLA
Description: Professional Engineering Services for preliminary concept and final design drawings for the Streetscape Improvement Project of Mountain Avenue and Morris Avenue business districts. Utilizing aerial mapping of the Business Improvement Districts, prepared concept plans of each district including design features such as curblines, sidewalks, street furniture, lighting, and street tree locations. A set of standard streetscape details was developed along with a report outlining pertinent elements and critical features that will be addressed during the preparation of construction drawings for each remaining phase. Preliminary construction costs for the evaluation of how the work will be phased were prepared. On the ground field surveying was then utilized as the basis for the final design drawings. Prepared specifications, obtained NJDOT approvals, and performed construction administration and inspection.
Service: Planning and Design -
Baldwin Interpretative Trail
Client/Owner: State of Vermont and the Fort Ticonderoga Association
Location: Mt. Independence, VT
Award: American Association for State and Local History 2008
GPI Contact: Robert White, RLA
Description: GPI was selected to prepare a comprehensive site master plan for trail access, environmental preservation, and site interpretation. The trail master plan outlined a system of trails to access areas of the site, including fully accessible trails, a program of interpretive kiosks and site markers and an updated site map for visitor use.
Service: Planning and Design -
Beech Tree Community
Client/Owner: Ryko Development, LLC
Location: Prince George's County, MD
GPI Contact: John Nolan, PE
Description: GPI was chosen to work on the Beech Tree Community project, a 1,200-acre, 2,400 unit golf course community located in Prince George's County, MD. GPI was responsible for all surveying, planning, and engineering for this project which started with designing Class A dam that would create a 40' deep lake as the focal point for the community.
Service: Planning and Design
Category: Master Planning, Landscape Architecture -
Franklin County Bikeway
Client/Owner: Franklin Regional Council of Governments
Location: Greenfield, Montague, Deerfield, and Northfield, MA
Award: Best Urban Bike Path in Yankee Magazine's listing of Massachusetts Best Attractions 2010
GPI Contact: Geoffrey Howie, PE
Description: GPI was selected to perform design services for this 15-mile bikeway project. The project included four miles of off-road bike path along an abandoned rail-bed that was adjacent to the power canal owned by Western Massachusetts Electric Company.
Service: Planning and Design
Category: Rails to Trails/Trails -
Hampton Beach Improvement Plans
Client/Owner: New Hampshire State Parks
Location: Hampton Beach, NH
GPI Contact: Robert White, RLA
Description: GPI designed public space improvements for the renovation of Hampton Beach State Park. GPI's work included designing the pedestrian boardwalk to include plazas, shade structures and plantings that separate the pedestrian way from the parking areas, ADA beach access, improvements that allow for safer pedestrian connections between the beach and the shops across Ocean Boulevard, and new LED lighting, signage, and wayfinding.
Service: Planning and Design -
NYC Schools Pedestrian Safety Project
Client/Owner: NYCDOT
Location: New York, NY
GPI Contact: Michael Salatti, PE, PTOE
Description: The NYC DOT developed a school safety program for public schools that were located in areas where pedestrian and vehicular crashes were noted to be high. Under this program, GPI was assigned 29 elementary and intermediate schools and developed school safety reports and pedestrian safety improvement plans, with the goal to improve walking conditions for students and provide safety in their daily commute to and from school.
Service: Planning and Design -
Perry Hall Renovation and Expansion
Client/Owner: Champlain College
Location: Burlington, VT
Award: LEED Platinum
GPI Contact: Robert White, RLA
Description: GPI provided site design services to renovate and expand Perry Hall into Champlain College's Admissions Office. The design includes a generous lawn area and is a showcase of green site design features including a gravel wetland, pervious walkways, native plant materials, rain garden swales for parking areas, a green roof and energy efficient LED lighting.
Service: Planning and Design -
Sebonack Neck Golf Course
Client/Owner: Sebonack Neck Holdings, LLC
Location: Southampton, NY
GPI Contact: Robert Grover
Description: GPI led a team of professionals providing planning and design for the creation of this unique private golf course located on environmentally sensitive land. The major goals of the project were to meet, or exceed, standards for establishment and operation of an organic golf course, to create a wildlife preserve within and around the golf course, and to preserve and protect the extensive wetlands on the property.
Service: Planning and Design
Category: Green Infrastructure, Master Planning, Landscape Architecture, Parks and Recreation -
Tilton Park
Client/Owner: Town of Tilton
Location: Tilton, NH
Award: Plan NH Merit Award 2007
GPI Contact: Robert White, RLA
Description: GPI designed a park at the site of the former Pillsbury Mill on the Winnipesaukee River at the edge of Tilton's downtown district. The park includes river access, green space for community events, a small playground, and walking connections to the downtown. A central pavilion that references the architecture of the Pillsbury Mill serves as the centerpiece of the park.
Service: Planning and Design -
Trestleview Riverfront Park
Client/Owner: NPS Rivers and Trails Program, Town of Franklin
Location: Franklin, NH
GPI Contact: Robert White, RLA
Description: GPI provided planning and design services for a new park in downtown Franklin, NH. The design includes an ADA accessible ramp to the river. The original eighteen-foot diameter iron wheel that once drove the local mill's machinery now welcomes visitors entering downtown across the Central Street Bridge. This project was honored by the Merrimack Valley Paddlers and Friends of the Winnipesaukee River for its boat-friendly and thoughtful design.
Service: Planning and Design
RELATED SERVICES
- Pedestrian Design
- Land Use Planning
- Master Planning
- Streetscapes
- Complete Streets
- Landscape Architecture
- Parks & Recreation
- Transportation Planning
- Green Infrastructure
- Low Impact Development
- Trail Design
- Urban Planning