Design and Construction Notes

By
David W. Lloyd, P. E.
Chief, Design and Construction Program

In 1996 the design and construction program committed over $5.1 million to design and construction projects. Most of this funding has gone toward construction as well as initiation of several new design projects.

Three separate construction contracts totaling over $7 million were completed this year for the Goldsmith Gulch Flood Control Project. This project first began in 1986, when the District and the City and County of Denver started preliminary design engineering. After a lengthy public involvement process, agreement on the plan to remove over one hundred homes and businesses from the 100-year floodplain was reached in early 1994. The three contracts were awarded for construction in 1995 and completed this past summer. All three contracts, although very complex and disruptive to the neighborhoods and traffic, were very ably administered by Steve Bello, Project Engineer for Denver's Wastewater Management Division. Our hats are off to Steve and his inspectors, Greg Gasner and Rick Zimmat, for their tireless efforts in keeping these contracts on course and in keeping the neighborhood groups well informed.

STATUS OF DISTRICT DESIGN PROJECTS

STATUS OF DISTRICT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Another project which has been many years in development is the Dutch Creek project in the Town of Columbine Valley. This project originally started in 1985. Agreement was finally reached in 1995 as to the scope of the improvements and the project was bid. Bids were rejected due to the cost being greater than funds available. A few design modifications were made in 1996, the project rebid and construction is now underway with project completion anticipated in the spring of 1997. The project consists of open channel improvements through the Columbine Valley Country Club and a bridge replacement at Fairway Lane. The project will remove over 50 homes from the 100-year flood plain.

A number of design projects were initiated this past year. One of the more interesting projects is the design of improvements at the Jewell Avenue wetland site. This proposed detention pond site was purchased in cooperation with the City of Aurora and the Trust for Public Land. Citizens for Aurora Jewell Wetland, a local neighborhood group, has been very active in the purchase of the property and in the design of the recommended improvements at the site. Since public input was going to be a critical issue in the design of these facilities, Aurora and the District selected a landscape architecture consultant for the design of the improvements. Due to the local interest in preserving the site for its wildlife habitat and as a unique natural area, the project team includes the curator for the Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center as well as a wildlife consultant. Construction is anticipated in 1997.

The beginning of design for the next phase of Goose Creek extending from 30th Street to Valmont in the City of Boulder began in 1996. Design and right-of-way acquisition will be completed in 1997 with construction to start sometime in 1998. This phase of the work, much like the two previous phases, appears to be very complex due to the difficult right-of-way and utility constraints.

This past year the Design and Construction Program iniated a study for preparation of an update to the District's "Storm Sewer Pipe Materials Technical Memorandum" dated April, 1987. This is a joint project with the Cities of Lakewood, Westminster, Golden, Brighton, Denver, Aurora, and Boulder; the Counties of Arapahoe and Douglas and the Colorado Department of Transportation. The purpose of the study is to define limits as to when different pipe materials should be used as well as provide recommendations for installation of the different pipe materials. This study should be completed and available in early 1997.

Table of Contents | Return to UDFCD Home Page