There is no disagreement — water is a precious asset. Without water, there is no path to survival or sustainability on the planet. Cities, counties, states, industry, trees, plants, crops, animals, and individuals cannot survive without adequate water resources. In America’s overall drive to sustainability, water is one of the most critical components. Yet, America’s water infrastructure is in significant disrepair. Because it has been ignored so long, some warn that America is entirely too vulnerable.

Although the average American is using less water, population growth has increased demand and many regions are ill-prepared to meet projected increases in water needs. The amount of available water, however, is only one part of the country’s water infrastructure problem. A rarely discussed issue is the dangers related to water contamination.

America’s drinking water infrastructure consists of approximately 2.2 million miles of underground pipes that were designed decades ago to deliver clean and safe water to millions of people. Unfortunately, that type of delivery is no longer possible in some parts of the country. Very few citizens and taxpayers focus on that because there is little attention on reports that outline clean water infractions in their home regions. Government regulations require water testing and reporting, but too few Americans see the results of testing. Recently, the U.S. received a C- in the drinking-water category of the most recent report card from the American Society for Civil Engineers (ASCE) - 2021.

Washington, D.C. – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on April 15 announced $300 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure upgrades in Washington, D.C., Louisville, Kentucky, and the Florida Keys.

Funds will come from the EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) as part of 49 allotments totaling $9.3 billion.

DC Water will receive $156 million for its Comprehensive Infrastructure Repair, Rehabilitation, and Replacement Program to advance infrastructure projects that will increase public health protection and benefit water quality in local rivers.

Upgrades to water mains and pumps throughout the system will improve drinking water distribution for better public health protection. The project will protect the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers from sewage contamination by upgrading stormwater management systems and collecting and treating wastewater at the Blue Plains Treatment Plant. The program includes a combination of 20 drinking water and wastewater projects to rehabilitate, upgrade, and/or replace aging infrastructure throughout the system.

The EPA will award $97 million to the Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) for $197.8 million in improvements to the Morris Forman Water Quality Treatment Center, Kentucky’s oldest and largest wastewater treatment plant.

Solids treatment and handling processes at the 120 million gallons per day facility have reached the end of their useful life, necessitating the current landfill of biosolids. EPA’s WIFIA funding will support state-of-the-art improvements for processing solids with the capacity to produce 40,000 dry tons of exceptional quality biosolids per year for beneficial reuse, reducing reliance on landfilling. The improvements significantly increase energy production and improve system operations and reliability.

EPA will help finance $49 million of the Florida Keys Imperiled Water Supply Rehabilitation Project to replace a reverse osmosis plant that will provide a reliable alternative water supply during emergencies. Funding will support additional upgrades to aging infrastructure throughout the system, including 12 miles of aging pipes and an underperforming water distribution pump station. These upgrades will help improve the system’s climate resiliency and mitigate the impacts of more frequent and severe hurricanes.

Louisiana – Highway, aviation, port, and flood control projects estimated in the billions of dollars are anticipated to be let in FY 2021-22 after a state committee approved Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) priority programs.

The Joint Transportation, Highways, and Public Works Committee approved an estimated $1.02 billion for DOTD’s Highway Priority Program. Funds will be invested in highway preservation, operations, and safety. Congestion mitigation, local road safety programs, road transfers, and other items are included in the program.

Several major highway projects are scheduled for letting in FY 2021-2022 while others are in the current FY 2019-2020 stage, such as a $122.83 million overlay project to improve sections of Interstate 10 in Calcasieu Parish.

The state is planning to let a $38.38 million project to add a right turn lane on a northbound I-10 off ramp in East Baton Rouge Parish, and another project to build a ramp connector on LA 3046 for $31.45 million at eastbound Earhart at Dakin.

A $21.4 million project in Caddo Parish will deploy intelligent transportation system (ITS) equipment and communications on the LA 1 bridge in Shreveport.

DOTD will invest more than $28.2 million for 60 projects in the Airport Construction and Development Priority Program. The total cost of these projects is just over $84.1 million. DOTD has an additional 984 unfunded projects in the program at a cost of just over $1.29 billion.

The Port Construction and Development Priority Program was approved to add three new projects to the list of 19 that were previously approved and are awaiting funding. The 22 projects consist of $544 million in construction costs, requiring $181 million in state funding to provide an estimated $2.39 billion in benefits to the state.

Committee members authorized the Statewide Flood Control Priority Program to add two new projects to the list of 11 consisting of $82.6 million in construction costs, requiring $67.7 million in state funding to provide an estimated $224.9 million in flood damage reduction benefits to the state.

Maryland – The State Board of Education (SBE) released a request for information (RFI) to obtain input and estimated costs for an email management system with a virtual chat component.

SBE is looking for a secure email management solution that uses automated response functionality to give voters the information they need. This information could be provided by either taking the voter to the webpage with the information or by giving the voter the information.

Officials at SBE would like enhanced website functionality to include virtual automated response features and help features added to its webpages.

In addition, SBE is interested in considering additional types of bundled service solution offerings, including short message service (SMS) capabilities and application development.

The deadline for RFI submissions is 2 p.m. EST April 27.

Colorado – In order to keep up with the demand from a growing population, Denver Water is proposing an expansion of Gross Reservoir that would nearly triple its water storage capacity.

Seventeen years ago, Denver Water began the federal environmental permitting process that led to project approvals by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2016 and 2017.

The utility is planning a $464 million, five-year project to raise Gross Dam by 131 feet and widen it by 800 feet to increase storage capacity to 120,000 acre feet. The reservoir’s capacity is 41,811 acre feet. The design phase of the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project is expected to wrap up by mid-2021, followed by four years of construction.

In addition to the main dam expansion, a new auxiliary spillway will be added to process extreme flood events. Additional modifications to accommodate potential flood events will be required at existing overflow outlets as well.

Denver Water will seek approval from the Boulder County Commission to move forward with the project. If successful, construction is anticipated to start in July 2022 and conclude by summer 2027.

California – The Sacramento City Council approved the Sacramento Valley Station Plan to transform the historic station at 401 I St. into a transportation hub. Since its opening in 1926, the station has served as the primary rail passenger station for northern California, and has grown in ridership to the nation’s seventh busiest station.

Plans for the fully developed site feature six buildings:

The plan is designed to connect pedestrians and transit users to infill development areas within the Central City and provides a mix of uses including residential, hotel, and offices. All the buildings within the development will run on 100 percent renewable energy. The new station will provide new civic open spaces as well.

Sacramento is actively seeking funding for the first phase, construction of the bus center, which could begin in 2026.

Virginia – The city of Petersburg issued a request for information (RFI) to identify vendors capable of providing a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

City officials are seeking feedback on ERP functional areas such as general ledger and financial reporting, budgeting, purchasing, accounts payable, and fixed assets.

In addition, information is sought on project accounting and grant management, human resources, time entry, and payroll. The city also desires information about planning and zoning, permitting and inspections, code enforcement, asset management, and work orders.

A new ERP would be required to interface with applications for Virginia’s departments of taxation and motor vehicles as well as several other organizations and financial institutions.

RFI responses are due by 2 p.m. April 26.

Washington – The Port of Seattle Commission authorized a new feasibility study for the restoration of the Pier 86 Public Fishing Pier via a public-private partnership (P3).

Findings from the cost and feasibility study will allow the port, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and a private-sector partner to determine the technical requirements and potential costs of construction of rebuilding the public fishing pier at Pier 86 with a ferry float to support commuter service to the surrounding area.

The analysis will cover general site analysis, structural evaluations, structural design, zoning and regulatory permitting analysis, and criteria for facility construction. The study will allow the partners to evaluate the potential costs of construction and the technical requirements of the project.

Once the study is complete and the partners have reviewed its conclusion, port staff will make final recommendations to the Port of Seattle Commission about additional funds for construction.

Port officials anticipate completion of the site analysis, design, and project budget work by July. If the parties decide to proceed, then permit documents and implementing agreements would be completed by January 2022.

Strategic Partnerships Inc. (SPI) welcomes the addition to its Consulting Team of David Cagigal, former chief information officer (CIO) of the state of Wisconsin. David is a seasoned information technology (IT) professional with over 25 years of experience in IT visioning, strategic planning, and management.

David is experienced in converging business strategies with ever-changing and innovative technologies. He also is versed in identifying and implementing change management processes and risk-mitigating strategies. He has held executive IT positions in higher education and in the private sector.

He is passionate about education reform and 21st century learning strategies that can be accomplished through collaboration with teachers, administrators, parents, communities, students, and private-sector partners. He has become a specialist in strategic planning, budget development, program management, business intelligence, data and risk analysis, disaster response, broadband technologies, cybersecurity operations, and training.

Some of his accomplishments include service as the chair of Technology Advisory Council at the Edison Electric Institute and chair of Wisconsin’s Cyber Strategy and Planning Group. He was named State Executive of the year in 2015 and 2019, a Premier 100 IT Leader, and one of the Top 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers.

David holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration from DePaul University.

Idaho – Funding for a proposed $48.75 million high school will dominate Emmett ISD’s $68 million bond election on May 18.

The new 150,000-square-foot high school would open with a capacity of 1,000 to 1,200 students with room for expansion. If successful, the bond would fund several athletic facilities at the new campus, including a stadium, track, a baseball field, two softball fields, and two soccer fields.

Trustees amended the bond project list on March 31 to include a $5.25 million CTE Shell and a new 10,000-square-foot high school gymnasium estimated to cost $3.25 million.

Other bond package items are a new 9,000-square-foot gymnasium for the Butte View Complex, student and staff safety and security improvements, and deferred maintenance needs at other school campuses.

New York – The Oswego County Airport submitted an updated master plan to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that includes $48 million in capital projects over 20 years.

Divided into three phases, the master plan proposes 26 projects in a $26 million first phase, $6 million second phase, and $14 million third phase.

A new terminal and hangars, drainage improvements, repaved runways, and wastewater infrastructure upgrades are among the proposed projects, as is a new vertiport, which is a type of drone pad.

Airport officials said they intend to apply for federal funding through the Airport Improvement Program administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The draft master plan is pending FAA review, which is expected within a few months.

Minnesota – After discussing a draft request for proposals (RFP) for the construction of a hotel connected to a downtown hospital, Willmar Community Development Committee members instructed staff to continue conversations with hospital officials.

City staff envision a boutique hotel-conference center connected by skyway or tunnel to the city-owned Rice Memorial Hospital, which is operated by a for-profit health-care system. According to the draft RFP, the city is looking for proposals to develop one of six parcels adjacent to the hospital.

The vision is for a hotel to cater to people who are visiting or supporting patients at the hospital, people who were on either end of receiving treatment or receiving day treatments, and longer-term housing for visiting medical consultants and other professionals.

As part of the city’s Renaissance Zone – a dedicated effort to provide incentives to revitalize the downtown and its surrounding area – the project may include tax abatement or tax increment financing, flexible zoning regulations, free permits, free sewer access, free water access, reduced utility connection fee, parking requirement reductions, and free city-owned land.

The new Willmar Renaissance Zone is a five-year pilot program intended to encourage investment, job creation, development, creativity, and vibrancy in the designated area. The zone operates as a new zoning overlay district encompassing the Central Business District and adjacent areas.

Pennsylvania – Gov. Tom Wolf announced on April 16 that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will award $45.9 million to 43 highway, bridge, rail, and bike and pedestrian projects from the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund.

Reflecting PennDOT’s commitment to improving local infrastructure, several of the projects will help local governments improve roadways, address pedestrian and accessibility concerns, and aid bridges in need of repair or replacement.

Some of the projects to receive funding are:

PennDOT evaluated the applications and made selections based on criteria such as safety benefits, regional economic conditions, the technical and financial feasibility, job creation, energy efficiency, and operational sustainability.

Lee Russo brings his extensive public safety expertise to the Consulting Team at Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI).

During his 30 years of policing and public safety work in major metropolitan areas, on university campuses, and in small- and medium-sized municipalities, he became known as a progressive leader, strategy adviser, and recognized change agent.

Lee’s career path included a variety of assignments and law enforcement roles ranging from entry-level positions to leadership roles as a chief executive officer. His responsibilities have included administrative and criminal investigations, training, resource management, workload analysis, technology implementation, public relations, and crisis management.

Additionally, he has been responsible for developing and leveraging private-sector partnerships, working and negotiating with organized labor organizations, and completing after-action assessments for litigation purposes. Lee acquired skills related to public relations and government relations by working with elected officials and offices at the local, state, and federal levels.

Since retiring from public service, Lee has become a subject matter expert and consultant. He has provided guidance and strategy to firms with law enforcement needs and organizations with a desire to better understand the ever-changing world of public safety.

Lee holds a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from the University of Delaware and a Master of Science in Business Management with concentrations in leadership, organizational development, and change management from Johns Hopkins University.

North Carolina – The city of Raleigh will solicit a developer for a 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credit/Bond project after closing on a multi-family property on New Bern Avenue.

City officials hope to achieve twice the number of affordable housing units on the property that they acquired on April 15. The city agreed to purchase the eastern portion of the site, consisting of 24 units in total, for future affordable housing opportunities.

Officials anticipate releasing a request for proposals (RFP) after transitioning current tenants to other housing options and rezoning the property to a multi-family district.

By acquiring the site, the city is implementing the Wake County Transit Plan, a major public policy objective to ensure affordable housing opportunities in proximity to transit-oriented investments. New Bern Avenue is one of four corridors in the city where bus rapid transit (BRT) service will become a reality in the next few years.

Often referred to as Equitable Development Around Transit (EDAT), the policy calls for numerous regulatory tools and direct actions by the city. Many components of the city’s $80 million Affordable Housing Bond focus on the intersection of transit and housing, including the acquisition of sites near planned transit investments for future affordable housing development.

Virginia – The Portsmouth City Council selected Angel Jones as the new city manager. She took over for Interim City Manager LaVoris Pace who filled the position after Lydia Pettis Patton resigned in September. Jones most recently served as a senior consultant. Before that, she was the city manager for the city of Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Indiana – The Indiana University board of trustees named Pamela Whitten as the university’s president, effective July 1. She will succeed President Michael McRobbie. Whitten is currently president of Kennesaw State University in Georgia. Before that, she was senior vice president for academic affairs and provost of the University of Georgia.

Arizona – The Arizona State Retirement System named Michael Viteri as the system’s new chief investment officer, effective June 1. Viteri most recently served as senior investment officer for the Oregon State Treasury. Before that, he was a portfolio manager and trader with the Arizona State Retirement System.

Florida – Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer appointed Tanya Wilder as the transportation director for the city. She took over for Interim Transportation Director F.J. Flynn who filled the position after Billy Hattaway resigned in July 2020. Wilder previously served as the city’s transportation policy adviser. Before that, she was transportation planning division manager and business development division manager.

Kentucky – The board of the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport selected Tristan Durbin as the airport’s new director. He will take over from Interim Airport Director Bob Whitmer. Durbin most recently served as the airport’s operations manager. 

Michigan – The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority named Mark Schrupp as its executive director. Schrupp most recently served as a consultant to school districts. Before that, he was chief operating officer of Detroit Public Schools.

Mary Scott Nabers, Publisher

Devin Monk, Editor

Government Contracting Pipeline, a publication of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., is a free, weekly newsletter detailing important happenings nationwide and the premier source for federal, state, and local government news and contracting opportunities.