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Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project_Preliminary Design D~ ~<Æ~ MEMORANDUM December 15, 2004 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project Acting Public Works Director/City Engineer Gus Psihoyos is recommending adoption of the alignment for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project, including modifying the existing building permit moratorium. He further recommends adoption of the elements and concepts outlined by the preliminary design, including the amenities. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. . Tl~~L{ ¿(:¡ /~Z\, ~L. Mi hael C. Van Milligen MCVM/jh Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Gus Psihoyos, Acting Public Works Director/City Engineer Dii~@UE ~cÆ~ MEMORANDUM December 14, 2004 FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager Gus Psihoyos, Acting Public Works Director/City Engineer .~ Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project TO: SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION The purpose of this memo is to seek acceptance of the elements of the preliminary design for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project produced by the City's consultant CDM. BACKGROUND On November 1, 2004 the City Council approved the inclusion of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project Phase II (between Garfield Avenue and 24th Street) as part of the Drainage Basin Master Plan and directed that a work session be scheduled. A City Council work session was held on December 13, 2004 to discuss the preliminary design elements of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project. Discussions revolved around the open waterway alignment, appearance, performance, and impacts to existing infrastructure. The alignment in the vicinity of the Smithfield property was also discussed. Local developer Wayne Briggs informed the City Council that his organization has a signed purchase agreement from Smithfield Foods Inc for the property and that the alignment west and south of the property best suits the needs of his organization. The southwest alignment was the alignment recommended by CDM. DISCUSSION Aliqnment The attached Figure 5-6 shows the alignment initially recommended by the BBCAC (presented to the City Council at the May 17, 2004 work session) and recommended by CDM at the December 13, 2004 work session. It should be noted that the BBCAC's final recommendation was the northeastern alignment around the Smithfield property. However, they indicated that either the northeast or southwest alignment was acceptable, leaving it to the discretion of the City Council. The BBCAC and CDM recommend the preferred alignment primarily because it best met the top three criteria established by the BBCAC: preserve commercial & non- commercial services, minimized residential property acquisitions, and minimize the Page 1 of 5 project cost. The preferred alignment impacts sixty-five (65) residential homes and fifteen (15) non-residential buildings (see 5-6). Total acquisition and demolition would be required on fifty-seven (57) of the eighty properties. On the other twenty-three (23) properties, a house or building is not impacted. Therefore, an easement or partial property acquisition may be all that is required. There are an additional fourteen (14) properties without structures that would also be impacted. Engineering recommends the establishment of the alignment shown in Figure 5-6 for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project, the repealing of the existing building permit moratorium set to expire on July 1 of 2005, and establishment of a building permit moratorium for the recommended alignment. Appearance The preliminary design outlines a 150 to 180-foot wide project corridor consisting of a 15 to 25-foot wide low flow channel, a 60 to 70-foot wide flood channel bottom, a 30-foot wide channel side-slope section, and a 15-foot wide overbank area. Figure 4 identifies the elements of the restored creek. Meandering through the flood channel bottom, the low flow channel would have sides approximately four feet high made of cut quarry stone (preferred by the BBCAC) and a bottom constructed of articulated block matting. Quarry stone would provide the desired creek bank stability with an appearance approaching that of a natural creek. Articulated block matting was chosen because it effectively balances aesthetics, functionality, and cost. Its use will also minimize the cost of future maintenance. Although the specific landscaping plan will not be known until the final design, the preliminary design calls for a mixture of taller prairie and ornamental grasses with a mixture of wildflowers to make up the balance of the relatively flat flood channel bottom. Turf grass will likely make up the majority of the 4-foot horizontal to 1-foot vertical (25%) channel side-slopes. Besides the landscaping described above, the preliminary design includes landscaping in the overbank area that would consist of medium to high canopy trees such as ash, maple, or birch trees; bushes; planters as shown in Figure 2 near the bridge: light fixtures; benches; and the incorporation of the Heritage Trail through the area. Cost estimates include adequate funding to construct bridge structures with a rustic stone appearance similar in pattern to local limestone outcroppings. Page 2 of 5 Figure 1 Elements of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Included in the Preliminary Design Prepared by CDM. Structures (Bridqe/Culverts) Included in the preliminary design and the associated cost estimate are bridge structures at 24th Street, 22nd Street, Rhomberg Avenue, 16th Street, and Sycamore Street. Figure 5-5 shows the bridge structures included in the preliminary design for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project. To meet the needs of Audubon School, the preliminary design includes the construction of a new street between Lincoln Avenue and Rhomberg to accommodate traffic to and from Audubon School. RECOMMENDATION Based on the results of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Alignment Study, Engineering recommends: 1. Establishing the entire alignment for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project as outlined in Figure 5-6; 2. Rescinding the existing building permit moratorium set to expire in July of 2005 and establish a new building permit moratorium for the properties impacted by the alignment shown in Figure 5-6; and 3. Including the elements and concepts outlined by the preliminary design, such as the number of bridge structures and level of funding for amenities, in the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project. BUDGET IMPACT CDM's estimate for the restoration of the Bee Branch Creek outlined by the preliminary design is $26,983,247. Based on the preliminary design and a 10-year funding plan with inflation, the cost for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project from 16th Street to 24th Page 3 of 5 Street is estimated to be: Item Property Acquisition Utilities General Open Channel Roadways Bridges/Culverts Additional Amenities Contingency / Design Inflation (3% FY05- FY13) TOTAL Tasks Engineering Design Permittin Acquisition Consultin Parcel Ac uisition Construction Cost $ 9,200,000 $ 1,172,100 $ 667,500 $ 4,951,300 $ 194,800 $ 5,243,700 $ 1,058,000 $ 4,896,800 $ 4,379.500 $ 31,763,700 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 Following the adoption of the DBMP, the City Council adopted the FY 2003 to FY 2008 Capital Improvement Program budget; it included funding for the Carter Road detention basin, the W. 32nd Street detention basin, culvert and channel improvements for the North Fork Catfish Creek watershed, and the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project. The formation of a stormwater utility fee was to help finance the projects. In the spring of 2003, the City Council adopted the funding scenario we are currently operating under, one that includes revenue from the stormwater utility. Because the project cost for the Bee Branch Creek project has changed, adequate funding for the project is not provided for in the current funding scenario. The establishment of funding for the project will be considered as part of the annual budget approval process currently underway for Fiscal Year 2006. ACTION TO BE TAKEN I request that the City Council adopt the following: 1) Resolution adopting the entire alignment for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project as outlined in Figure 5-6; 2) Ordinance No. 50-04 and amending the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances, Chapter 11 Buildings and Building Regulations by adding a new Section 11-58.5 adopting a moratorium on the issuance of building permits for commercial and new residential Page 4 of 5 construction in the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Alignment Study Area; and 3) Resolution approving the elements and concepts outlined by the preliminary design, such as the number of bridge structures and level of funding for amenities, in the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project. attachments cc: Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Dawn Lang, Budget Director Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Bill Baum, Director of Economic Development David Harris, Director of Housing & Community Development Ken TeKippe, Finance Director Don Vogt, Operations & Maintenance Manager Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer II Jerelyn O'Connor, Neighborhood Development Specialist Long Range Planning Advisory Commission Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission Bee Branch Citizen Advisory Committee CDMIWHKS Page 5 of 5 RESOLUTION NO. APPROVING THE ENTIRE ALIGNMENT OF THE BEE BRANCH CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT Whereas, approving the establishment of the entire alignment of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project in the City of Dubuque; and Whereas, the City Council deems that it is in the best interest of the City to adopt the entire alignment of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project as outlined in Figure 5-6. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA: Section 1. The attached alignment of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project, as outlined in Figure 5-6, be approved. Passed, approved and adopted this - day of 2004. Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor Attest: Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC, City Clerk P f1 ^' ~V;) # ¿y ~ ~ q: ~ ø'X ø= .ffi p Qf " $ 'X S J!ì J! ~ ~ ~ ~ t1 ~ q. 300 N + 0 Legend Impacted Properties 300 Feet Structure Loss / Whole Property Loss Property Size Reduction v?" ....u S" '\~ \' ' Source" Dubuque Area Geographic Infonnaüoo Systems (DAGIS), dared May 2000 D'U'~~E ~.j(¿~ D BEE BRANCH RESTORATION ALIGNMENT STUDY PARCEL ACQUISITION DATE: SEPT. 2004 FIGURE No. 5.6 ~ ~ <P", -r- '? ~ 4" ~ '1o{s- O.:¡, &/- 500 ~I?&/- I-.. "" t '" 08,?-'1<-;:- Oí>o &,?- !YÚ4t<t, Q:o,?- &,?- !f.t '< Q d: '?7 ø~ -r- -;. ~ '" N + Source" Dubuque Area Geographic Infonna,on S¡<;tems (DAGIS), dated May 2000 BEE BRANCH RESTORATION ALIGNMENT STUDY i5~: ~<#¿~ STRUCTURE CROSSINGS 0 0 500 Feet DATE: SEPT. 2004 FIGURE No. 5.5 . . ~ ORDINANCE NO. 85-04 REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 50-04 AND AMENDING THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 11 BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS BY ADDING A NEW SECTION 11-58.5 ADOPTING A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF BUILDING PERMITS FOR COMMERCIAL AND NEW RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IN THE BEE BRANCH CREEK RESTORATION ALIGNMENT STUDY AREA Whereas, the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa is undertaking a study of an alignment for the proposed Bee Branch Restoration Project in the City of Dubuque between 24th Street and the 16th Street Detention Basin, which will include the acquisition of property necessary for said project; and Whereas, the City Council believes that it is in the best interest of the City and its citizens to minimize the inconvenience and disruption to property owners in the study area and to minimize property acquisition costs for the construction of the Bee Branch Restoration Project and that a moratorium for the study area should be adopted; and Whereas, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 50-04, providing for a moratorium, which Ordinance should now be repealed and a new moratorium adopted in lieu thereof. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA: Section 1. Ordinance No. 50-04 is hereby repealed. Section 2. The City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances, Chapter 11, Buildings and Building Regulations are hereby amended by adding the following new section: Section 11-58.5 Moratorium Bee Branch Creek Restoration Alignment Area. The Building Official shall not issue any permit for any commercial construction or for any new residential construction, including a new house or new garage, but not including demolition and emergency repairs, without the approval of the City Council, in the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Alignment area as shown on the map on file in the office of the City Clerk, 50 W. 13th Street, Dubuque, Iowa, during the period from the effective date of this ordinance until July 1, 2010, except where a vested right to the issuance of such permit accrued prior to December 19, 2003. Section 3. provided by law. This Ordinance shall take effect upon publication, as ,. , Passed, approved and adopted this 20th day of December 2004. Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor Attest: Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk RESOLUTION NO. APPROVING THE DESIGN ELEMENTS AND CONCEPTS AS OUTLINED BY THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN FOR THE BEE BRANCH CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT Whereas, approving the design elements and concepts as outlined by the preliminary design for the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project in the City of Dubuque; and Whereas, the City Council deems that it is in the best interest of the City to approve the design elements and concepts as outlined by the preliminary design of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA: Section 1. The design elements and concepts as outlined by the preliminary design of the Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project be approved. Passed, approved and adopted this - day of 2004. Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor Attest: Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC, City Clerk June 30, 2004 The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members City of Dubuque 50 West 13th Street Dubuque,]A 52001-4864 Subject: Bee Branch Creek Restoration Project Bee Branch Citizens Advisory Committee Recommendations Honorable Mayor and City Council Members: Over the course of the past ten months the Bee Branch Citizens Advisory Committee (BBCAC) has met six times with City staff and the City's consultant to discuss the Bee Branch watershed drainage problems and evaluate alternatives and alignment options. The objectives of the BBCAC were to: Establish the optimum alignment; Provide input on what the waterway wil1look like and how it will function; and Select an acceptable solution which reflects the overall desire of the community AIi!!nrnent Recommendation By unanimous vote, the BBCAC has established the preferred alignment (see attachment) as starting just north ofthe intersection of 24th Street and Elm Street and proceeding southeasterly along Elm Street to 22nd Street, where the alignment runs paral1el to and on the north side ofKniest Street. The alignment continues southeasterly until it crosses the IC&E railroad. Downstream of the railroad, there are two alignment options: Alternative alignment 2 (west and south ofthe meat packing facility); and an alternative alignment suggested by a Council member (north and east of the old Dubuque Packing Company /FDL buildings). The BBCAC is comfortable with City staff evaluating and selecting the optimum alignment between the railroad and the 16th Street Detention Basin. The BBCAC's prefeITed alignment is to the north and east of the "Pack" unless cost, environmental, or future development considerations make this alignment less advantageous as the previously selected alignment to the south. The BBCAC prefeITed alignment would have less impact on residences and existing local services. The BBCAC defeITed the alignment decision to City staff City staff and the Consultant anticipate being able to make a recommendation on this portion of the alignment within 2 months. Honorable Mayor and City Council Members June 30, 2004 Page 2 Moratorium Recommeudation While City staff and the Consultant are evaluating this alig¡unent alternative, the BBCAC recommends that a moratorium be established for both alig¡unents until July 1,2005. Once the evaluation of the lower alignment has been completed, the moratorium should be revised to reflect the fmal preferred alig¡unent. Draina!!e Improvement Recommendation The BBCAC met on June 24, 2004 to review and evaluate the preliminary recommendations presented to the City Council at the May 17,2004 Work Session. There was considerable discussion about the impacts of the open channel solution compared to the high costs of the pipe solution. The BBCAC voted 8-6 to make the previous recommendation "final". Note that the previous vote, prior to the City Council work session, was 12-3. The recommendation is as follows: "The BBCAC recommends the Council identify funding to construct the Pipe Alternative as the preferred alternative. The BBCAC prefers the Pipe Alternative because it preserves neighborhood accessibility, presents fewer health and safety risks, and enhances the quality oflife." Minority Draina!!e Improvement Recommendation The nrinority recommendation was made given the understanding that the pipe solution is preferred but may not be affordable for the City. Something must be done to address this problem and the open channel alternative is a better option than doing nothing. The minority recommendation ITom the BBCAC is as follows: . "The pipe alternative was preferred but the open channel alternative should be constructed if the pipe alternative is deemed too expensive." Construction Timetable Recommendation The preferred Bee Branch drainage improvement should be constructed as soon as possible. Erosion Control Recommendation The BBCAC recommends that the City Council enact an Erosion Control Ordinance. Honorable Mayor and City Council Members June 30, 2004 Page 3 Multi-jurisdictional Watershed Management Recommendation The BBCAC recommends that the City pursue comprehensive multi-jurisdictional watershed management planning for the drainage basins that across jurisdictional boundaries. Runoff Reduction Best Management Practices Recommendation The BBCAC recommends that the City encourage Best Management Practices for runoff reduction for development and redevelopment within the City. In general, the BBCAC agreed that there is a pressing need for something to be done with the Bee Branch and that the City must give it á high priority. The BBCAC recognizes that the [mal decision on the Bee Branch rests with the City Council, but feels that it is in the best interest of the community to resolve the ongoing health and safety risks that exist with the current flooding situation. We appreciate the opportunity to assist the Council in resolving this major issue that affects the City of Dubuque. Very truly yours, Q'i r,J~t~~-./ Charlie Winterwood Chainnan Bee Branch Citizen Advisory Committee Ene: . Preferred Alignment Site Plan- 6/24/2004 cç: BBCAC Members COM Gus Psihoyos, City Engineering Creeks Are Coming Back Into the Light Persistence is paying off as communities work to uncover America's buried streams. By Donna Gordon Blankinship Patience can be a virtue in government work, especially when the project you want to complete is hidden from public view. For 60 years, students and staff at North Carolina State University in Raleigh have been walking and driving over Rocky Branch Creek without being aware that a portion of the waterway was buried in the 1950s to maximize avail- able land for building, A 1950s-era master plan called for for public works projects is as hard to come by as ever, gov- ernment officials and environmental activists are finally find- ing ways to get their hands on some of the money needed to complete the creek daylighting projects they've been talking about for decades. Doll says several strategies helped in obtaining the money for the mile-long Rocky Branch restoration, First, the project was divided into several small phases, which were easier to fund. Then, it became part of a very big construction plan (another master plan) for the entire campus. This helped bring the money to light, but added a new complication: con- struction timing. And the creek restoration is a very small part of a big construction plan. "On this last phase, we expected to be in construction about a year earlier, but they're putting in sports fields right next to the creek at the same time, so there were space is- sues that really killed us on time," Doll says, adding that the final stage. expected to begin in 2005, will be competing with gym construction next door. The daylighting part of the project will be stage three. Be- cause final plans have yet to be approved for stage three, Doll notes the amount of creek that will actually be daylight- ed is not yet known. although it will range between 250 and 500 feet of the channeL The three-part project also includes expanding the floodplain, building a riparian buffer zone, and creating a walking path along the stream, Two-thirds of the $5 million project is being funded by the federal govern- ment and one.third by the State of North Carolina. Part of Doll's job was to huild collaborative networks among agencies and to find creative ways to fund the work. The North Carolina Clean Wa- ter Management Trust Fund has supplied a grant for stream restoration, installation of stormwater filtration systems to treat runoff into the creek, a system to monitor the creek's stability, and relocation of a sewer line. An EPA grant was used to repair the up' stream portion of Rocky Branch, add an edu- cational campus greenway, and perform some environmental surveys, Federal Emergency Management Association money from hurri- cane damage to the area also helped pay for the project The state Department of Trans. portation helped pay for the greenway path and some roadwork. The last stage of funding depends on approval of plans to mitigate the loss of parking on campus. Doll says she is getting calls from universities all over the country asking for advice about her success at grant requests, Other universities are also looking toward NC State for its leadership in stream.restoration projects. In a 2001 report as the project was just getting started, Charles Lerner, associate culverting all of Rocky Branch, and for 20 years the university worked toward that goal. But the operation was expen- sive, and the community became more aware of the effects of culverting in the 1970s, so the creek was never completely buried underground, Now, North Carolina Sea Grant (NCSG)-a partnership of various public agencies, including the university-is work- ing to reverse that environmentally mis- guided plan and improve the campus's stormwater-management program at the same time, Barbara Doll, water-quality specialist for NCSG, says it has taken about 10 years to get the money to begin construction on the project. but discussion of the idea has been going on for many years. Workers on this and other projects involving "daylight- ing"-uncovering buried waterways-say that although money 30 Stormwater . January/Feb,uary 2005 www.stormh20.com Why Daylighting? To make way for new development, urban routing them through channels or pipes such streams are being partially might re.establisb a waterway in its be routed between buildings. Why would a community go to the trouble and expense of the most urgent is that increased runoff resulting from new channel to accommodate, leading to overflows and flooding; an open Sometimes it's simply a matter of saving money: if a culvert collapses it rebuild. The main benefits, however, bave to do with water quality and the Pinkham points out in his article "Daylightin : New Life for Buried http:/htormh2ocom/sw 0111 doylighling.html ~), an open waterway improve water quality through the plants' uptake of pollutants. A channel with culvert, might slow runoff and allow infiltration, And communities ty values tend to increase around lakes, creeks, and streams, or vice chancellor for facilities, noted, "Tliis project is consistent with the mission of a land grant university-to lead the way for the nation in addressing major issues." The stream.restoration project will botli increase flood storage on campus and improve the surrounding environ- ment In 1978, the North Carolina Division of Water Quality classified Rocky Branch as the state's most polloted urban stream Fifty years earlier, the creek and its banks were alive with fish, wildlife, flowers, and trees; it was a lively, deep creek heading toward a river that fed other waterways into the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to building collaboration around funding of the project, NCSG also worked with a number of partners to design the restoration plan, whicli includes wetland ponds and rain gardens to filter stonnwater runoff Students have been involved in several phases, including some initial overall designs by architecture students and signage by NC State's College of Design students. The signs will explain concepts of natural channel design and identify flora and fauna along the greenway Hybrid Solutions Collaboration has been a key element in other creek day- lighting projects around the country, including the Thornton Creek project in North Seattle, WA. The creek is at a strate- gic location from a drainage standpoint, according to Miranda Maupin, senior planner for Seattle Public Utilities. It's at the base of a nearly 700-acre sub-basin. A gigantic mall parking lot and the water pipe underneath it have served as the area's stonnwater "system" for years. Maupin says flooding ,"°'°:"""0""1<"""", www.stormh20.com has not been a problem liere, but water quality lias been an issue. The creek has heeD identitled by tIle state Department of Ecology as "a water body in need of some water-quality improvements," Maupin says. Development led to the creek being culverted under the parking lot, and development is part of the reason the creek is now being daylighted. For 15 years, stakeholders have de- bated tbe future of Thornton Creek, and development was stopped in the area until the problem could he resolved, Like most environmental and water quality projects in the Seattle area, Thornton Creek has gained a creative perspec- tive from public involvement in the planning process. Instead . - Standing Water? Nowhere to Drain? Mitered DrainTM Can Help. . Slopes drainage to flowline of pipe, not above it . Minimizes standing water . Maximizes use of bioswales . Increases surface water retention time . Available in 3", 4", 6", 8" and 12" sizes , 707 -620-0606 ~ www.mitereddrain.com MITERED DRAI N" info@mitereddrain.com "'C",C"'fO Circle #77 on Reader Service Card January IFebmary 2005 . Stormwater 31 of fully daylighting the creek, the city chose a hybrid solution. It will be restoring an open channel with water flowing through it year-round, plus maintaining a belowground drainage pipe to prevent floodwaters from over- whelming the creek. "What's unique about this proposal is the stormwater pipe will stay underground," Maupin says. "We'll divert the more frequent flows-the smaller flows-to the surface channel. The big StOlIDS will stay in the pipe. We'll keep the old system and add a new one," The project will also include native plant landscaping and a pedestrian walkway, "The other exciting thing is the com- munity enthusiasm around this project. A lot of the ideas came from a grass- roots effort," Maupin notes. "There was interest for a long time on the part of some creek activists to daylight the creek, The hybrid solution provided the hest of both worlds." The project is estimated to cost $6,85 million, plus $375,000 to buy the land. The timeline for construction estimates a 2008 completion date, The HH1f:'l' Jm~}~{mr>! ;i:.' ;;î ;,;¡. In~¡ U!:~ ~r AT 1(( "'"L~ .'" ",;,r¡¡ ow will I'o//ut/on Ffod/B" heíp you comply?' ;¡ -Stormwater collection systems leak, seep or emPtY' ¡ into creeks, streams, rivers and lakes, Thelrthermal t signatures vary from their surroundings and can be . accurately, Quickly and efficiently pinpointed froO1 .' air using ABriø//trfrBmI Tbonnør/l{lluus' prietary "o//utlo. Flod/B" method. . 32 Stonnwater . Janomy /Februmy 2005 project will be funded by property owners though drainage rates. Home- owners will pay about $100 a year for the project Landscape architect Peg Gaynor, who recently won for Seattle a $100,000 Harvard University award for another stormwater project she did for the city, is designing the Thornton Creek project Developers interested in building housing and retail developments nearby can now start taking steps toward those projects. "This is the next step in the re- vitalization of Northgate, improving the economic vitality of the neighborhood and the environment at the same time," noted Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels in a statement about the project. About 670 acres of water currently drain through a pipe that is 20 to 25 feet under the parking lot, according to Maupin. The site is not really used for mall parking, but rather for special events like RV shows and giveaways from yard waste bins. It's adjacent to a major bus station, so it would be an ob- vious site for mixed-use building, Another hybrid daylighting project should be getting under way soon in Salt Lake City after about 20 years of discussion. Scott Stoddard, intermoun. tain representative for the US Army Corps of Engineers, admits that funding for this project has been put on hold because of the Army's other big project right now: the war in Iraq, Stoddard says there's a good possibility, however, that in the new fiscal year there will be money in the budget for the City Creek project In 1910,2 miles of City Creek were culverted in a pipe below North Temple Street in the central area of Salt Lake City. The culvert pipe was rebuilt in www.stormh20,com 1983 after a big flood that was beyond its capacity. The area contains a 1.5-mile stretch of railroad right of way and rails that run through a mixed commercial and residential area that is described in a document about the project as being "in transition." The plan for City Creek, which will include moving the rails, daylighting the creek, and developing 12 acres of parkland and walkways, will be part of a city revitalization project, but it's being funded mostly by the fed- eral government. The City Creek project is being con- ducted by the Corps of Engineers un- der the authority of Section 206, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration and Protection, of the Water Resources De- velopment Act of 1996. Stoddard says planning of the project is in the feasibil- ity stage, but he feels confident the pro- ject would go forward as soon as federal funds can be released. It is a joint project of the EPA and the Anny Corps of Engineers. "We have our fin- gers and toes crossed that when the fis- cal year starts that funding will be restored," Stoddard says, Although some residents and busi- ness owners in the area were at first ner- vous about the open-channel proposal, Stoddard says they changed their minds when they learned more about the hy- brid nature of the new flood control ef- forts and were assured that the city's old flood problems would not return. Because community support for this project is very strong, he expects that if the federal funding does not come through as planned, local government officials might start lobbying their con- gressmen for assistance. The local dele. gation has expressed support for the project, but they haven't been asked to propose legislation to fund it. Without the concrete box culvert, which is about 12 feet wide and 8 feet high and can carry hundreds of cubic feet of water per second, this creek would flood Salt Lake City nearly every year, according to Stoddard, who is a civil engineer. But just as in the Seattle project, the underground pipe is not go- ing away; it's just being supplemented by an attractive and useful open chan- neL The aboveground channel will car- ry 3 to 5 cubic feet of water per second. "Most of the flow during high runolT times will stay in the pipe," Stod- dard adds. In addition to the environmental ad- vantages of the project and the improve- ment in stonnwater control, the project also has been a winner thanks to the way the government agencies carefully planned it to appeal to members of the public-another common feature among these daylighting projects, The City Creek project is adjacent to another EPA effort, the Brownfields Redevelopment Project on the east, and it has the Jordan River on its west end, The trail planned as part of the City Creek development will tie togeth- er all three natural sites and connect with the valley-wide Bonneville Shore- line Trail. These three projects are but a small sample of the many creek daylighting efforts in various stages of production across the country, Although federal and local money remains tight, it seems like just a matter of time before some more of these projects mired in decades of planning will come to the surface. 0 Author Donna Gordon Blankinship specializes in stormwater topics. ;.;0.. $;. ..:-' >t Publish With ForesterPress! ........ -=" it :£:- ~ :.? ForesterPress, the book publishing division of Forester Communications, invites you to contribute to the professional development, education, profitability, and advancement of your profession, ForesterPre", publishes authored and edited, practical, results-oriented books for those already working in the field as well as students who will be in the future. ForesterPyess alTers favorable royalties, high production quatity, and effective marketing campaigns that target your book's intended audience. Acauisilionsríì!foreslanet ForesterPress ForesterPress , . quality results you'll be proud of FPro".S_4C_O404 34 Stormwater , January/February 2005 www"tormh20,com