Palm Avenue Street End Project Honored with Public Works Award

Friday, 11 September 2009
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6281

The San Diego & Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) has selected a Port of San Diego project as “Project of the Year.”

The Palm Avenue Street End project, a $3 million public works project in the City of Imperial Beach, was awarded the honor at the Association’s monthly meeting, held on Sept. 10 at the Handlery Hotel and Resort in San Diego.

Established to promote excellence in public works projects, the APWA Project of the Year Award recognizes partnerships between the managing agency, the consultant, architect, engineer and the contractor, who work together to complete the project.

The multi-faceted project transformed the end of Palm Avenue at the oceanfront of Imperial Beach into a park-like setting.  It also included important environmental and safety features.  A new storm water pump station with a built-in pollution diversion system was installed to reduce urban runoff onto the beach.  Other enhancements included the installation of ramps from the street end to the beach, providing direct beach access for emergency vehicles and individuals with disabilities.

Traffic improvements from the project included a new turnaround, which allows two-way traffic.  Perpendicular parking was added to both sides of the street.

The project also included public art.  The plaza became the site for an 18-foot tall bronze sculpture of a surfer and his longboard.  Titled “The Spirit of Imperial Beach,” the artwork was created by the late A. Wasil and epitomizes the surf culture of the oceanfront city.

Reyes Construction was the contractor on the project and AECOM Transportation was the designer. It was jointly funded by the Port and the City of Imperial Beach, with assistance from the Proposition 50 Clean Beaches Grant Program.  The grant funding was attained through an agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board and the City of Imperial Beach.

Construction began in May, 2008 and was completed in January, 2009.

The American Public Works Association is an international educational and professional association of public agencies, private sector companies and individuals dedicated to providing high quality public works, goods and services.  Originally chartered in 1937, APWA is the largest and oldest organization of its kind in the world, with headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, an office in Washington D.C., and 64 chapters throughout North America.

 

###

---