Site/Civil Engineering

Every structure needs solid ground to build on — literally. DLZ’s site civil engineering practice brings multi-scale, multidisciplinary experience to public- and private-sector projects alike, providing the site layout, grading, stormwater management, and utility design that turn a set of drawings into a buildable site.

That experience spans public safety, justice, and federal facilities to utility plants, commercial sites, government buildings, and transit. We understand how to integrate project priorities with site constraints, whether we’re leading the design or supporting DLZ’s broader multidisciplinary team or outside consultants — bringing the same understanding of engineering standards and project process to every site, regardless of scale.

Featured Capabilities

Site Layout & Grading

DLZ provides site layout and grading design for projects of every scale, in both the public and private sectors, built on decades of multidisciplinary site development experience. We work through multiple layout iterations early in the process, testing options against site constraints and client priorities before a design is finalized.

Stormwater Management

We design stormwater management systems that meet regulatory requirements and hold up under real-world conditions, integrated with the rest of each site’s civil design. Our engineers evaluate detention, conveyance, and water quality strategies side by side, so the final system fits the site’s soils, topography, and downstream conditions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Utility Design

DLZ designs the site utility systems — water, sanitary, and related infrastructure — that keep a project functioning long after construction wraps up. We coordinate early with utility providers and municipalities to confirm capacity and connection requirements, helping clients avoid costly surprises later in the design process.

Permitting & Approvals

We prepare the permits each project requires, including local zoning permits, EPA erosion control and SWPPP documentation, waterway permits, and DOT/right-of-way permits. DLZ tracks each agency’s specific submittal requirements and review timelines, keeping the permitting process from becoming a bottleneck to the overall project schedule.

Funding Support & Preliminary Engineering

DLZ’s funding specialists help identify funding sources and prepare grant applications, and our engineers develop preliminary engineering reports that clarify project scope, budgets, and funding opportunities early on. That early clarity gives clients a realistic picture of what a project will cost and how it might be funded before significant design dollars are spent.

Related Work

All Work

North County Campus – New Sheriff’s Substation and Health Clinic

Cedar Springs

, Michigan

DDOT Jason Hargrove Transit Center

Detroit

, Michigan

Kilbourne Run Sports Park

Columbus

, Ohio

Kalamazoo Public Safety Station No. 2

Kalamazoo

, Michigan

Related Capabilities

Architecture
Landscape Architecture
Environmental
Transportation

Yadong

Dong, PhD, PE, LEED AP

Project Manager

Michigan

Matt

Doyle, PE, LEED AP

Proejct Manager

Indiana

James

Toto, PE

Director of Water and Site Civil Practice

Ohio

Get in touch with
some of our site/civil engineering experts.

Contact Us