Business Details
42 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Engineering Solutions
Founded in 1984, Environmental Design Group is a multidisciplinary engineering, planning, and design firm with five offices across Ohio. Our team of civil engineers, planners, and designers specializes in site development, transportation infrastructure, water resource management, and economic development projects. With over 40 years of experience, we prioritize community-focused solutions that integrate sustainability, innovation, and technical expertise. Our services span master planning, landscape architecture, stormwater management, and construction oversight, tailored to meet client goals while adhering to budgets and timelines. We collaborate closely with municipalities, private developers, and public agencies to deliver transformative projects that enhance livability and environmental stewardship. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our ISO-certified processes, federal grant expertise, and a track record of award-winning projects like the Bridgestone Americas Technical Center and Charles Mill Lake Park upgrades.As an employee-owned company, we foster a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and ethical practices. Our technical professionals hold certifications in civil engineering, landscape architecture, and environmental science, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. We maintain strong partnerships with ODOT and local governments to streamline project approvals and funding acquisition. Our leadership team brings decades of experience in infrastructure development, with a focus on creating resilient, future-ready communities through data-driven design and stakeholder engagement.
Services
Site Development
Field Services
Transportation Planning
Economic Development
Stormwater Management
Landscape Architecture
Water Resource Engineering
Construction Management
Right-of-Way Acquisition
Ecological Services
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of experience in Ohio infrastructure development
- Our in-house team includes certified civil engineers and landscape architects
- We maintain ODOT prequalification for transportation projects
- Our employee-owned structure ensures accountability and long-term commitment
- We specialize in federal grant application processes for municipal projects
Services
Site Development
Our site development services create functional spaces for commercial, residential, and municipal projects. We provide master planning, civil engineering, and landscape architecture to optimize land use while meeting regulatory requirements. Our team coordinates with stakeholders to minimize environmental impact and maximize project efficiency through all development phases.
Transportation Planning
We design transportation infrastructure that improves safety and connectivity for communities. Our services include roadway design, pedestrian/bike path planning, and traffic studies. We assist with federal funding applications and collaborate with ODOT to deliver projects that enhance regional mobility and meet future growth demands.
Stormwater Management
Our stormwater solutions reduce flooding risks and improve water quality across urban and rural areas. We design detention basins, green infrastructure, and drainage systems that comply with EPA regulations. Our engineers specialize in municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit compliance and watershed management planning.
Economic Development
We help municipalities attract investment through market analysis and strategic planning. Our services include grant writing, tourism development, and business retention strategies. We leverage our engineering expertise to create infrastructure plans that support economic expansion while maintaining environmental sustainability.
Field Services
Our field services team provides surveying, construction management, and right-of-way acquisition for infrastructure projects. We offer boundary surveys, topographic mapping, and easement negotiations to facilitate smooth project execution. Our local Ohio offices ensure timely support for public works and private development initiatives.
People
Dwayne Groll
CEO/Chairman of the Board
With over 30 years of experience, Dwayne leads strategic development and technical growth initiatives. He oversees client service delivery and professional service groups while maintaining industry leadership roles.
Lu Ann Unrue
President/Chief Operating Officer
Lu Ann directs growth strategies and client development initiatives. She has held leadership roles since joining the company in 1989, progressing from receptionist to her current executive position.
Boris Slogar
Principal of Water & Natural Resources
A former Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Chief Engineer, Boris brings 30+ years of project management experience. He specializes in water resource engineering and federal funding acquisition.
Gerard Neugebauer
Director of Economic Development
With prior experience as Green City Mayor, Gerard focuses on public infrastructure projects and creative funding strategies. He leads economic development initiatives that combine policy and technical expertise.
Susan Derwacter
Director of Transportation
Susan manages transportation engineering projects with expertise in both roadway design and water/wastewater systems. She reviews traffic impact studies and develops comprehensive infrastructure solutions.
Questions
What geographic areas do you serve?
We operate from five Ohio offices in Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, Mason, and Newark, serving clients statewide.
What engineering services do you offer?
Our services include site development, transportation planning, stormwater management, water/wastewater engineering, and ecological services.
Can you help with federal grant applications?
Yes, our team has extensive experience securing federal and state funding for infrastructure projects through grant writing and application support.
Are you ODOT prequalified?
Yes, we maintain ODOT prequalification in multiple service categories including transportation planning and right-of-way acquisition.
Do you handle both public and private projects?
We work with municipalities, public agencies, and private developers on a wide range of infrastructure and development projects.
Videos
