LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN), in partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and the California State Coastal Conservancy (SCC), authorized this project to capture and filter stormwater to increase groundwater replenishment in the San Fernando Valley Basin and improve water quality downstream in the Los Angeles River.
PROJECT SCOPE
Corvias, Geosyntec, and LASAN partnered to implement the San Fernando Valley Green Streets Program that bundled an existing over-budget project with three other green street projects into one program. A progressive design-build delivery mechanism allowed all program participants to collaborate at the earliest stages of planning and design, which resulted in execution surety and an environmental performance guarantee. The team was responsible for planning, analysis, outreach, design, construction, optimization, and monitoring.
FINANCIAL BENEFITS TO LASAN
Aggregating four green streets together allowed Corvias to provide a guaranteed maximum price for the design, construction, monitoring, and maintenance of the program. In turn, previous cost overruns of the existing project were off set, making the entire program cost-effective. However, one of the most important components of the project is risk transference away from LASAN to Corvias. Corvias was responsible for any cost overruns, thereby ensuring LASAN wouldn’t be left with another over-budget project.
The green streets were designed and implemented to capture 354 acre-feet per year in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles to recharge groundwater and prevent pollution.
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
The green streets were designed and implemented to capture 354 acre-feet of water per year in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles to recharge groundwater and prevent pollution. This network of green streets aligns with the City of Los Angeles’ Complete Streets Program, which is intended to create vibrant streets through beautification, restored sidewalks, and enhanced pedestrian safety.
PROJECT AWARDS
In 2021, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Metropolitan Los Angeles Branch awarded this program the Outstanding Roadway and Highway Project of the year. ASCE recognized the need for environmental improvements and economic impact. The program’s small business incubator proved to be adaptable while successfully building contractor capacity despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
SOCIOECONOMIC BENEFITS
Corvias exceeded local community utilization requirements by creating a small business incubator that contracted with more than two dozen firms in the program. More than 50% of contracted firms were Small, Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (SMWBEs), and in addition, more than 50% were based in Los Angeles County. Additionally, Corvias created the Working Capital Payment Program to maximize the participation of SMWBE firms. This program allowed all subcontractors to be paid immediately instead of waiting 120 days or longer to be paid from LASAN. The Working Capital Payment Program not only maximizes SMWBE utilization, but also drives down delivery costs by reducing subcontractors’ financial burden and allowing them to provide more competitive pricing.
Program Details
- Emphasis on water recharge and pollution reduction
- Small business incubation
- Guaranteed maximum price to mitigate risk to LASAN
| DURATION | 4 years, 2019 – 2022 |
|---|---|
| FINANCING STRUCTURE | Corvias Working Capital |
| PROGRAM SIZE | 354 Acre-Feet |
| DEVELOPMENT COSTS | $14.2 million |
