Troy School District — Topographical Surveys

The professional surveying staff of Enviro Matrix Land S.E.A. Corp. (EMLS), formerly known as METCO LAND SEA CORP., were chosen among various competing firms to complete 15 topographical surveys for the Troy School District, Troy, Michigan, in 2004. The final surveys included all surface features and utility information (sanitary, storm, water, electrical, gas, and various cable lines). The individual schools surveyed were Baker Middle School, Barnard Elementary, Bemis Elementary, Boulan Park Middle School, Costello Elementary, Larson Middle School, Leonard Elementary, Morse Elementary School, Niles Community High School, Schroeder Elementary School, Smith Middle School, Troy High School, Troy Union Elementary School, Wass Elementary School, and the Administration Building. Our primary reference from the Troy School District is Michael M. Adamczyk, Assistant Superintendent. The total fee of the project was approximately $ 120,000.

Due to the large area to be surveyed, we hired the expertise of Air Maps, Inc., of Elkhart, Indiana, to provide aerial surveying and photogrammetric and mapping services. Their scheduled flights obtained low altitude aerial photography for each site. Topographical maps were then generated from these aerial photographs. The total area covered for 15 Troy Schools was 321 acres. Using global positioning systems (GPS) technology, we then set the ground controls for the 15 sites and proceeded, over a 2 month period, to complete all the necessary field data collection. We worked closely with O’Boyle, Cowell, Blalock and Associates, Inc. of Kalamazoo, Michigan, the firm which reviewed and approved our final surveys for the Troy School District.

All topographical surveys were closely conducted under the direct supervision of Dr. Vijaysinh Mahida, Registered Land Surveyor and President of EMLS. According to the requirements of the Troy School District, we provided topographical surveys including all surface and utility information the area(s) provided. Boundary lines were mapped based existing legal description(s). Location and elevation of 100 year floodplain limits were shown, as well as, contour intervals set at one foot intervals. Spot elevations included critical locations, such as catch basins and manhole covers, invert elevations of all sewer pipes (sanitary and storm), and curb corners (top and bottom of curb). All above and below ground utilities were located and identified, including but not limited to: electrical, gas, storm and sanitary sewers, irrigation, water, telephone, and other communication lines. All manholes, catch basins, vaults, valves, transformers, and connection boxes were precisely located. All sewer lines (sanitary and storm) were identified and flow direction, pipe size and type were shown on the surveys. Water line size was determined and all electrical ducts as to quantity and size of conduit were shown.

Precise locations of all trees and shrub masses were drawn to scale relative to the size and shape of their crown and shown on the surveys in their exact location. Individual trees within wooded areas, of a 24" caliber size and larger were identified according to trunk size. Likewise, individual trees, outside of wooded areas, of a 6" caliber size and larger, were identified according to trunk diameter size. Shrubs and shrub masses outside of wooded areas were drawn to scale relative to their size, shape, and location.

Due to the precision and accuracy of our final surveys, we were then commissioned by the Troy School District to revise the 5 remaining topographical surveys which had been originally awarded to another firm. In the end, we completed all 20 topographical surveys originally requested by the Troy School District.