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Despite the expanding geographic reach of Holland Engineering’s project locations, HEI continues to assist with various projects throughout our local, West Michigan community. Two of our more recent projects involve an expansion at the John Ball Zoological Gardens and the construction of a new facility for West Michigan Eye and Laser Medical. 

With signs of spring in the air, the John Ball Zoological Gardens, located in Grand Rapids, MI is preparing for the busy upcoming spring and summer seasons with several renovation projects. The John Ball Zoo has over 1100 animals representing the wilds of Africa, Asia, South America, Australia and the United States. Two of the new additions to the zoo in 2012 will be the IDEMA Funicular and BISSEL Tree House.  The BISSELL Tree House is situated on one of Grand Rapids highest points and will serve as John Ball Zoo’s newest indoor event space offering extensive views of downtown Grand Rapids. The IDEMA Funicular is a 3 car trolley offering guests the option of a four minute scenic ride to the top of the hill.

Holland Engineering is pleased to be working with Landscape Design Services on the construction of upper and lower depots for the Funicular system, a new gift shop building, along with the tree house.  Holland Engineering is providing engineering design and shop drawings for several different styles of retaining walls that will be incorporated into these projects. In an effort to enhance the aesthetic nature of the project, and cause the walls to blend into their surroundings, many of the walls will be vegetative geogrid walls or include integral planting areas that will be filled with native plants.  Holland Engineering is pleased for the opportunity to be involved with this project and
wishes the John Ball Zoo continued success as they move forward with this exciting expansion. 

Located in the City of Norton Shores, the West Michigan Eye and Laser Medical Facility will serve the eye care needs of the Greater Muskegon and North Ottawa communities.  Holland Engineering is proud to be a partner with Redstone Commercial Investments and Eckert Wordell in the development of plans for a new ophthalmology office along the lakeshore.  HEI will be providing professional services for site plan development, landscaping and planting plans, boundary and site topographic surveys, grading, drainage, and soil erosion sedimentation control plans, public utility extensions, and permitting.   HEI is pleased for the opportunity to be involved in this commercial lakeshore project.

For more information on Holland Engineering’s civil and structural engineering services, please contact Ryan Ysseldyke at 616.392.5938 or via email at rysseldyke@hollandengineering.com.

Holland Engineering (HEI) employees came together again this year to support the Holland Junior Welfare League with their annual "Winter Wearables Drive."  The Holland Junior Welfare League is a non-profit agency that has been assisting children in the Holland/Zeeland, MI area since 1930.  The "Winter Wearables Drive" collects mittens, hats, socks, underwear, sweatpants and sweatshirts for area elementary schools and distributes them to children who do not have their own.  Holland Engineering’s employees will be helping in the donations of these items for girls and boys in need of some extra warmth this winter.  

 In addition to the “Winter Wearables Drive,” HEI also participated for the third consecutive year as a sponsor for DTE’s Annual “Nights of Warm Hearts” fundraiser.  The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) is an independent non-profit agency that provides low-income individuals and families with emergency energy assistance and advocates for long-term solutions to energy issues. Since its inception in 1986, THAW has provided more than $102 million in aid to more than 155,000 Michigan households who have found themselves in a temporary crisis. The Night of Warm Hearts Gala Event was held this year on November 11^th in Detroit and is a signature event for THAW which will help hundreds of families in the community keep safe and warm this winter.  HEI is proud to once again participate in this event and remain involved in the effort to continue helping those families in need throughout Michigan. 

Holland Engineering recognizes the importance to give back to the communities where we live and work.  For more information on the Holland Junior Welfare League please visit their website at:  www.hjwl.org.  For more information on THAW Fund, please visit their website at www.thawfund.org.