Agenda Date: 05/14/2019
Subject:
Title
Overview of Denver Water’s Littleton Downtown Waterline Replacement Project
Body
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Presented By: |
Keith Reester, Public Works Director |
PURPOSE:
Denver Water will be pursuing a waterline replacement project in the downtown area over the next couple of years. This is a briefing on the scope of the project and how staff will be working with Denver Water to help mitigate some of the impacts of construction.
BACKGROUND:
The water main infrastructure in downtown Littleton has several segments that exceed 70 years in age. Over the past few years, leaks and failures have increased significantly. Denver Water is planning to complete a replacement project that spans much of downtown; this work will include mains as well as services to each adjoining structure. City staff met with Denver Water to review options for scheduling, impacts, construction options, and identify other key issues.
This presentation will provide an overview of the need for the project, possible schedule concepts, and a review of issues that will likely arise throughout the project. Staff expects to be joined by Paul Peloquin, Interagency Project Manager for Denver Water and will also review key issues from a city perspective that impact the city's ability to partner on the project and the possibility of utilizing this project as a catalyst for downtown infrastructure enhancements and economic development.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Denver Water owns and operates the water system in Littleton and approached city staff about completing a rehabilitation project on several hundred feet of lines in downtown. The downtown area has been experiencing a high leak ratio with a high level of emergency repairs due to the aged service lines. Staff has been working with Denver Water to schedule the project.
Since Denver Water will likely be removing significant sections of the pavement and sidewalk infrastructure, it may be an opportunity for the city to evaluate other city owned and controlled infrastructure for improvements and/or replacement; e.g. conversation of overhead power lines to underground, relocating any damaged landscaping, surface treatments at the crosswalks, parking design and options, street lighting upgrades, traffic signal replacements, etc. Coordination and planning with Denver Water will be key to a successful project for Denver Water, the city as well as affected property owners, businesses and our general public.
Another construction detail that may not be fully appreciated is the location of the abandoned trolley tracks beneath the pavement. They pose a unique, but significant challenge during construction.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
Unknown at this time.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
The impacts of a project of such magnitude to adjacent businesses and property owners could be significant. To identify and evaluate alternatives for reducing impacts, staff is recommending two major points.
The first is to develop a stirring committee comprised of staff, downtown businesses and property owners to work with Denver Water in developing a construction and communication plan. This committee could remain intact through the construction of the project to assess the levels of success with the plan and to assist with communications. A charter defining the responsibilities of the committee would be necessary, but after the Denver Water project is more defined.
The second recommendation is for staff to develop a proposal for how the city may pursue a plan for how the city owned and controlled infrastructure may be improved at the time of the Denver Water construction. This proposal would be reviewed with council at a future date to decide what practical steps may be taken, if any. Since the pavement is to be removed, it seems some evaluation of the opportunities of the city controlled infrastructure should be considered.