HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 3/20/2018 - Memorandum From Matt Fater Re: Walnut Street Water And Sewer Rehabilitation ProjectUtilities
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700 Wood Street
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6700
970.221.6619 – fax
V/TDD 711
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: March 15, 2018
TO: Mayor Troxell and Councilmembers
FROM: Matt Fater, Special Projects Manager
THROUGH: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Kevin R. Gertig, Utilities Executive Director
RE: Walnut Street Water and Sewer Rehabilitation Project
Bottom Line
The Walnut Street Water and Sewer Rehabilitation Project was recently completed on schedule and
within budget. Utilities, Economic Health and PDT are working together to prepare an After-Action Plan
that identifies best practices for successful completion of similar projects.
Project Complete
The Walnut Street Water and Sewer Rehabilitation Project was a 3-phase project in Old Town Fort
Collins. The infrastructure had exceeded its design life and needed replacement to improve system
reliability, fire protection and water quality in downtown. The project was phased at the business owners’
request to minimize impacts to local businesses. Phase 1, new sewer line in Walnut from Linden to
Mountain and Seckner Alley, was completed in March 2017. Phase 2 was completed in the fall of 2017
and involved the installation of a new waterline in Pine from mid-block to Walnut. The third and final
phase, completed in early March, was the installation of a new water main in Walnut Street from Pine to
Linden, three weeks ahead of schedule.
A key component to the success of the project was the teamwork made possible by the City’s Alternative
Product Delivery System (APDS). APDS is a project delivery method developed by Utilities to assemble
a project team dedicated to the success of the project from design through construction, including public
outreach and communications. The project team consisted of Utilities staff (Jay Rose, Tim McTague and
Diana Royval), the design engineer (Ditesco) and the general contractor (Connell Resources). Both the
design engineer and general contractor were selected based on quality, experience, cost and ability to
work in challenging conditions such as downtown Fort Collins. The project team worked diligently to
design and construct a quality project with the least public impact, identify a realistic schedule and cost,
respond to unanticipated challenges, and communicate with area businesses at every step of the project.
Public Outreach Efforts
Overall, communication goals were to inform business owners and residents about upcoming construction
with two open houses (one for the public and one for DBA members), press releases, extensive one-on-
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one communication, weekly email updates, social media, website updates and on-site visits. After the
initial project schedule was changed to a 3-phase approach, businesses were appreciative of the schedule
adjustment and more receptive to the construction. They specifically wanted to know project details, time
frame and how they would be impacted. It was understood from the beginning that parking, pedestrian
access and signage were a huge issue in the downtown area.
Outreach tactics included weekly project updates (especially for Phase 3) emailed to a list of 100+
customers, creation and updating of a project webpage, and personal visits by the field PM. Distribution
of parking coupons (3,300 coupons were allocated, approximately 1,500 were distributed and it is
estimated that 500 were used) and free advertising on construction fencing were specific to Phase 3.
Appropriate ‘businesses open’ and detour signage were developed for every phase. Delivery access and
attention to customer special access needs were addressed in all phases and especially with the Walnut
Street businesses due to the 2-month road closure.
In addition to contact information, highlights in the weekly emails contained construction photos with
captions, including the discovery of the trolley tracks, a 3-week look ahead schedule and the weeks’
construction progress. Near the end of the project, it was noted that Connell had contracted with Streets to
rebuild the entire road, and pave and stripe to complete the project ahead of schedule.
After-Action Report
An After-Action Report (AAR) will be prepared to document successful practices and recommendations
for improvements for future projects. The two areas of focus for the AAR will be business engagement
and project delivery.
One of the goals of the project team is to minimize the impact of construction on businesses and the
public. The project team, with the help of Economic Health, are in the process of seeking feedback from
the area businesses about their experience during the project. Survey efforts are underway by Utilities,
Downtown Business Association and an individual Walnut Street business. Some of the feedback
requested includes satisfaction with communication efforts, business access, safety, parking and
identifying areas of improvement for future projects. Survey results will be compiled in the AAR.
In addition, the project team also will be conducting a project debrief as part of the APDS process to
identify what went well and what could be improved. The project debrief process has been used for
several projects to strengthen and enhance future projects. Some of the areas that will be discussed
include design considerations, construction methods, coordination with other City departments, safety and
public outreach and communication.
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