Decatur Building Named Public Works Project of the Year

Credit: Google Maps

From the City of Decatur

Decatur’s Eloise T. Leveritt Public Works Building Project was recently named a 2015 Public Works Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA). This year, the team of winners includes the City of Decatur, GA as the managing agency; Hogan Construction Group as the primary contractor; and Stevens & Wilkinson as the primary consultant; which will be presented with the award during APWA’s 2015 International Public Works Congress & Exposition Awards Ceremony in Phoenix, Arizona during August 30-September 2, 2015.

The APWA Public Works Projects of the Year awards are presented annually to promote excellence in the management and administration of public works projects, recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, contractor, consultant and their cooperative achievements. APWA selected Projects of the Year Awards in five categories: Disaster/Emergency, Environment, Historical Restoration, Structures and Transportation. The Eloise T. Leveritt Public Works Building Project is being honored in the Structures category at a cost of $5 million but less than $25 million.

Decatur’s public works building, as “the heart that keeps the city’s circulatory system functioning smoothly,” was named after the city’s first female commissioner, Eloise T. Leveritt. The much-needed renovation project on the building provided a state-of-the-art facility that helps the Public Works Department deliver more and better services, while meeting city standards for environmental sustainability. The building achieved LEED Gold status.

The project’s completed improvements include space for the current public works operations and additional space for the city’s new Design, Environment and Construction Division (DEC), which handled permits and inspections. The creation of the DEC allows residents, developers and contractors to have a one-stop shop for obtaining plan reviews and permits. The facility also includes space for the City Schools of Decatur Facilities Maintenance and Transportation Division. The project renewed a partnership between the City of Decatur and the City Schools of Decatur in the new facility, which is the first of two facilities that is currently shared. The project also incorporates the city’s design guidelines for pedestrian streetscape improvements.

As part of their planning for sustainability initiatives, the Hogan Construction Group (HCG) developed a waste and recycling program that utilized a disposal vendor that separates all waste offsite, which allowed for controlled separation of recyclable materials. HCG also collected sound wood studs that were removed during the demolition and later used as safety rails throughout the project. Two underground stormwater management systems were installed to overcome challenging site conditions that included useable space restrictions and grade changes. By using the underground stormwater systems, the city is able to provide adequate space to efficiently handle its vehicles, while providing a sustainable drainage solution.