Thrive

 When a 6.59 acre vacant parcel came for sale on Garfield Road in Blair Township (Grand Traverse County), development group Northern Den Development, LLC jumped at the opportunity to take strides at their goal of providing 'affordable' housing for the region.  The triangular shaped parcel, lack of public utilities and local agency regulations required strategic planning to be able to balance the cost of infrastructure improvements while being able to market the duplexes as 'affordable housing. GFA worked through numerous Site Plan iterations and cost estimates to be optimize the site's potential. Thrive is a duplex community that consists of 13 duplexes (26 total units) with carports, asphalt roadways, individual well's, overflow parking spaces, a BATA bus stop, and numerous amenities including a dog park, pickleball courts, gazebo's, barbecue’s, and playground equipment. GFA designed a left turn that was constructed on Garfield Road by Team Elmer's, as required by the Grand Traverse County Raod Commission due to the increased traffic projections. Additionally, a 60,000 gallon concrete storage tank was installed on the site to provide fire suppression, as required by Blair Township Emergency Services. The lack of public sewer and high site density required a community drain field and sewer system. GFA designed and permitted a 9,500 gallon per day drain field that met the requirements of the local health department and Michigan EGLE through Part 41 and Part 22 permits. GFA provided full consulting services for this project, including conceptual planning, engineering design, attending local agency and Planning Commission meetings, permitting, construction staking, surveying, material testing and project closeout.