Question: Provide update on ordering of stormwater capacity projects, potential funding sources being monitored for projects, and updates on underway projects. (Vice Mayor Bagley)

Response: 

Storm Sewer Capacity Projects: Large Capacity Project Prioritization

City staff continue to move stormwater flood mitigation capital infrastructure projects forward.  For the proposed FY 2027 – FY 2036 CIP, large capacity projects are listed using a “delivery schedule” approach that reflects the timing of funds to deliver the planning, design, and construction of these projects based on prioritization and includes rough order of magnitude cost estimates for delivery.

 The prioritization of those large capacity projects continues to incorporate multiple data points such as the City of Alexandria Storm Sewer Capacity Analysis (CASSCA, 2016), a multi-year citywide storm sewer analysis and planning-level exercise that identified potential capacity issues and developed prioritized recommendations for improvements to the storm sewer system, property impacts documented through Alex311 service requests, refinement through neighborhood engagement meetings, and infrastructure connectivity from a systems perspective. 

 Project sequencing initiation from FY 2027 to FY 2036 is based on the same considerations as the earlier projects; however, potential reprioritization may occur as further cost-benefit analysis, feasibility, and other design considerations become more available. City staff have sought to secure state and federal grant funding to help accelerate the delivery of large capacity projects prior to the schedule of funding in the CIP. 

Grant Funding

The City has been successful in receiving grant funding from the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund (over $5M) and federal earmark grants from the Community Project Fund administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).The City received an initial Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) 50% matching grant of $516,000 in March 2022 to accelerate portions of the identified project for the Edison Street and Dale Street area to deliver portions of the large capacity project ahead of the funding schedule of FY 2026 for that project. Staff were able to accelerate this project due to the grant funding, with design for this project nearing completion. The Notabene Drive and Old Dominion Boulevard project received a $750,000 Federal Community Project Fund to accelerate portions of this identified large capacity project ahead of the design funding being available in FY 2027 as previously proposed.  Staff continue to monitor these two sources of grant funding and others for potential project funding. 

Prioritization in Proposed CIP

The first two prioritized large capacity projects were combined into the “Commonwealth Ave., Glebe Rd., and Ashby Street Large Capacity Project.”  Design is complete for this project, and the team is working on bid documents to solicit for a construction contractor.  The “Hooffs Run and Timber Branch Culvert Bypass” Large Capacity Project is currently in the design phase with the project team exploring potential alternatives.

 The large capacity projects for the FY 2027 – FY 2036 CIP adds two additional projects – Braddock and West Flood Mitigation Project and Commonwealth and Ashby North Culvert Extension. The following large capacity projects are included in the overall 10-Year CIP Storm Sewer Capacity Program:

1. Commonwealth Ave., Glebe Rd., and Ashby Street Large Capacity Project.
2. Hooffs Run and Timber Branch Culvert Bypass
3. Dewitt Avenue
4. East Mason Avenue
5. Mt. Vernon Ave., East Glendale Ave., East Luray Ave., and East Alexandria Ave.
6. East Monroe Avenue and Wayne Street
7. Russell Rd & W. Rosemont Ave
8. Braddock and West Flood Mitigation
9. Commonwealth and Ashby North Culvert Extension

Neighborhood Spot Projects

These capital stormwater infrastructure projects provide localized flood mitigation to specific neighborhoods on the lot and block level.  These projects are typically small to mid-sized capital projects that alleviate localized drainage and flooding concerns.  These are typically identified through Alex311 inquires with follow up field observations, neighborhood engagement meetings, and onsite investigations. They are typically prioritized on a first-come-first-served basis, contingent on funding and severity determined through onsite investigations and discussions with residents.

 Since the inception of Flood Action Alexandria in late CY 2021, staff have completed 14 spot projects.  There are 14 that are currently underway (either planning, design, or construction) and four that have not yet been started due to dependence on larger projects.  This table provides the project list and the status for these projects:

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