PRESENTER: Presenter
Garry Ford, Transportation and Capital Improvements Director
Jeff Jewell, Economic and Community Development Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Presentation of the 2022 American Public Works Association Texas Chapter Project of the Year (Less than $2 Million) honoring the Elizabeth Avenue Realignment and Parking Lot Improvement Project.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Economic and Community Development
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Texas Chapter of the American Public Works Association held their annual conference June 13-15, 2022. The City of New Braunfels received the Project of the Year Award (Less than $2 Million) for the Elizabeth Avenue Realignment and Parking Lot Improvement Project. The award was established to promote excellence in the management and administration of public works projects by recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, the consultant/architect/engineer, and the contractor who, working together, complete public works projects. The City of New Braunfels Transportation & Capital Improvements, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, and Economic & Community Development Departments, New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation, Wurstfest Association, New Braunfels Utilities (NBU), Pape-Dawson Engineering, and Acme Bridge Corporation worked together cohesively to develop and deliver the project.
The project included the realignment of Elizabeth Avenue away from buildings, allowing for improved intersection alignments and visibility. Pedestrian improvements include sidewalks, crosswalks, and access to park areas and the local theatre. The project also relocated an inefficient parking lot adjacent to attractions, improving accessible parking and emergency services during special events. The project included street trees, lighting, and a water quality pond filtering stormwater runoff from the parking lot before entering the Comal River.
The project was funded by the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation and Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan with contributions from NBU and the Public Works Department.