By Staff Reports | Community Updates
Terracon, in collaboration with the Flood Control District of Maricopa County and contractor Rummel Construction, has received the American Public Works Association Arizona Project of the Year award in the Environment category (under $5 million) for its work on the Durango Campus Landscape and Water Conservation Retrofit in Phoenix.
The project, found at the Flood Control District headquarters, features sustainable design and water conservation practices, according to a press release.
It transformed the campus into a demonstration site for water-wise landscaping, stormwater harvesting, and habitat restoration, including the planting of more than 150 new trees. The team overcame challenging soil conditions and complex utility work to complete the retrofit, the release states.
The site also serves as a living lab for monitoring the benefits of stormwater reuse and its role in mitigating drought impacts on urban landscapes. It incorporates green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) and low-impact development techniques.
“This project’s significance extends far beyond its innovative use of materials and GSI design techniques,” said Harry Cooper, PLA, director of Water Conservation Innovation with the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative at Arizona State University, and former manager of the Landscape & Water Conservation Branch at the Flood Control District.
“The purposeful incorporation of post-construction performance evaluation, research opportunities and maintenance considerations during the design process made all the difference in aligning intended outcomes. It exemplifies how using a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach leads to a successfully completed project.”
The APWA Public Works Project of the Year award recognizes excellence in public works project management and collaboration among agencies, consultants and contractors. Projects are nominated across four cost divisions and five categories, with additional categories for small cities and rural communities. Individual awards are also presented annually by the chapter.
The award was presented at the APWA Arizona Chapter state conference in Tucson.
