Meeting Overview. Key Takeaways ~ MERRICK I. Project: Globeville Stormwater System Study. Date and Time: 05/09/2018 from 5:30 pm 7:30 pm

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1 COLLABORATIVE=:'.:.:' 0 Project: Globeville Stormwater System Study Date and Time: 05/09/2018 from 5:30 pm 7:30 pm Meeting Name: Community Meeting #1 Meeting Place: Stapleton Recreation Center (5090 Broadway Denver, CO 80216) Meeting Overview The first community meeting was held Wednesday, May 9, 2018 and had about 35 attendees from the Globeville basin. Tim Sandos (NDCC) welcomed everyone and Beth Vogelsang (OV) walked folks through an abbreviated version of the study approach, basin history, runoff, river characteristics and related flooding issues. The remainder of the meeting was spent discussing community member s experiences/concerns with flooding, and further explaining project boards illustrating history and flooding areas. Generally, attendees greatly appreciated the information and level of detail provided at the meeting, and they are ready to tackle solutions! Key Takeaways Attendees identified or confirmed numerous flood locations throughout the basin. Denoted by red dots on below map. LEGEND - l-':1l:'f L1l11111<l.d11J11fl,r<1, 91~cite tha-. I 2 ~ MERRICK I iftl 8. COMPANY Pot~:lal "'IUndatlon il.te~; k, lh, " ~igr i6c21 11 Flo:xl ng l, 11.11i:: 1,,._.,1 ;..,;.~(..>1:>:..'l.?:,.::-:ib,~:<rt; ~~( Ulo" ''ijhlt\"11,µ: 1

2 COLLABORATIVE=:'.:.:' 0 Other concerns related to runoff and flooding in the Globeville neighborhood were noted: - Neighborhood connections to schools and medical clinic are frequently impacted by standing water. - Ability to get in and out of the neighborhood using Washington, Lincoln and/or 38th St. underpass is always impacted when it rains. - Water does run through the neighborhood when it rains and leaves significant debris, sand and sediment on streets and sidewalks. - There are a number of areas where water pools and never drains that present health concerns for children. There were a handful of new Globeville community members that have not previously participated in public meetings. They attended because flooding is a big neighborhood topic, and they thought there would be standing room only. The history of the river and basin development story really resonated with folks. Many expressed a desire to restore the natural order of the river and advocated for solutions that reintroduce natural systems into this basin, instead of trying to tame the river. Community members were very interested in the concept of green infrastructure solutions but is not sure what that might look like. Given the general income and economic conditions of the area, residents are very unlikely to take on home improvement projects on their own. Small grants would need to be administered to encourage any type of personal property improvements residents expressed interest in completing these projects with City assistance. The 1965 flood is still a very real memory for some residents and is a significant part of the area s history. The community is very aware of continuous flooding issues and many neighbors including those not attending are eager for solutions. Presentation Q&A Q: How does the Army Corps Study of the S. Platte River interact with this study? Isn t there a great deal of sediment that has altered the channel? ~ MERRICK I iftl 8. COMPANY 2

3 A: Army Corps study speaks to the health and restoration of the S. Platte River. This study is focused primarily on drainage. Re: sediment the USACE study has shown very little sedimentation by Globeville. There is, however, 8 feet of sediment that has built up in the river bed upstream of Confluence Park. Q: What about having a more naturalized river? There used to be beaver ponds that helped collect excess water. A: The USACE study is looking at how to restore habitat along the South Platte River. Hope to achieve some habitat restoration if recommendations in the TSP (Tentatively Selected Plan) are approved. Q: The river has become so channelized, it s no longer in its natural state. Are there plans to let it meander more? Who has the authority to make those decisions? A: The National Western Center (NWC) is taking first step by laying back the banks of the river where it passes through the NWC property. We can incorporate that kind of thinking into this study too. Q: What about the use of green infrastructure and gray water for watering as a way to handle? A: Green Infrastructure is definitely a solution for handling. We are looking at and trying new GI options at different locations in the City. Reuse of gray water has not been on the table thus far. Q: Are there plans to use permeable surface in the ROW? A: This basin currently is 52% impervious surface. Addressing the porousness of parking lots and roads can be part of the solution. Comment: We must bear in mind what is going on at the Globeville Landing Outfall and with infrastructure changes in the Montclair Basin. Changes to infrastructure on the east side of the river will impact our ability to handle on the west side of the river. I don t want to see east side problems exacerbate west side problems. Workshop Input and Other Open House Comments The following represents the comments received during the workshop and open house segment of the meeting. During the workshop segment community members were asked the following questions and outlined are some of their responses. Where have you experience flooding? Where did it appear to be coming from? How did it impact you? th 47 Ave. is like a river (that flows west to east) During a storm event, five years ago, a lot of debris and sand was carried into one of the th resident s yard, near the intersection of Lincoln and 47. 3

4 During rain events there is always water flowing west-east at 48 th and Broadway/Lincoln (where the street grid is non-existing). 48 th rail cut and the intersection of 48 th and Broadway was mentioned as a location where flooding and water flows occur. Community members confirmed that water ponds on the southwest part of Platte Farm Open Space. Some attendees remembered this spot flooding 5 years ago. There is some ponding water close to the intersection of Broadway and 52 nd. One resident mentioned she could not pass through that intersection to get to the clinic (Clinica Tepeyac) during a rain event around There is a low spot along Sherman between 52 nd Ave and 53 rd Ave that flooded during a 2009 event. Community members highlighted manholes that blew off during heavy rain events at the following locations due to the storm system being to small: o 4 manholes between the Railroad and Emerson St. o Close to the intersection of 48 th Ave. and Pennsylvania. o Intersection of Washington St. and 50 th Ave. Project Angel Heart at the intersection of Washington and 50 th Ave was highlighted as a flooding location. 38 th street underpass has pinpointed as a flooding location. Community members mentioned this spot becomes a challenge by impacting their ability to get their kids to school. Close to the intersection of York and 47 th there is always ponding water. Community member mentioned she has even seen kids playing in that area. In 2015 the South Platte ran greater than 5 for a month. Community member mentioned noticing this between 49 th and 50 th Ave was The Crossroads Commerce Park detention floods every year Connectivity was highlighted as a main impact to community member during rain events. Flooding in the neighborhood creates connectivity barriers within the neighborhood and in-out of the neighborhood as well. Water does not drain at Broadway between 52 nd Ave. and 54 th Ave. Other concerns? Concerns of schools being close to highways and also flooding concerns Food/grocery stores are needed close/within the neighborhood The off-centered road shape of 47 th Ave. creates safety concerns. A resident highlighted the fact that a couple of accidents have occurred close to where the street shifts. One car crashed against a utility box. Difficulty turning at the intersection of Washington and 47 th. Lack of street lighting Other comments A few folks alerted us to false imperviousness throughout the neighborhood. Some residents have a grass patch growing in their yard, but there is actually concrete or asphalt underneath 4

5 this thin layer of grass that would prevent water from infiltrating. In aerial view, this may not be captured as pavement and could alter the permeable make-up percentage of the neighborhood. The 1965 floods flooded the area all the way north, close to Heron Pond. A community member highlighted The Farmers and Gardeners ditch. Community member shared with us his memories of the 1965 floods. He mentioned that during the 1965 floods there was a part of the rail line embankment between Argo park and Platte Farm that was popped out/opened up by community members to alleviate the flood pressure on the south side of the rail line embankment (Argo Park side). However, community members on the north were concern with their area flooding as well. A resident highlighted a water main break close to the intersection of Acoma and 50 TH Ave and mentioned that the water flowed from west-east downhill. Community member mentioned an old pipe (18?) on the southeast part of Platte Farm Open Space. There is an open culvert close to the intersection of 49 th and Pearl Street. Flood gates where recently installed close to the 48 th rail line outlet around 2000 When building the new bridges, it will be important to build them high enough to provide enough room for the water Crossroads commerce park detention floods every year Attendee mention they see the water coming from the west around I-25 into Globeville Presentation was very good! Lest get to answers! When we look for solutions, let s not just think pipes. Let s look at a wide range of options. It is ok if each option does not solve it, but the combination might. Let s try to improve it not entirely fix it A community member remembers that at one time it was decided there was to be a 24 x 4 culvert at 52 nd and Washington St. Ideas/questions Are there any plans to work with the rail lines such as Rennick Yards? Is there an opportunity to create an open channel either along the curved 48 th rail line or along 49 th Ave. that alleviates the flooding occurring around Argo Park by moving that water towards the river? Can the area just north of 52 nd Ave. and west of Washington (Near Crossroads Redevelopment (ASARCO) act as detention? Explore green infrastructure, permeable surfaces within ROW, and greywater collection. Maybe we can do impervious sidewalks in the area! What are you going to do with the area near Argo Park? Can Argo park be detention? What are some opportunities for organizations such as Groundwork Denver to help local residents implement management Best Management Practices on their properties? Community member shared a list of ideas: storm sewer along Wash. St., sunken residential lawns, setbacks from structures, storm vaults, widen the streams, more detention areas, filter water to prevent contamination, build a culvert at Franklin St. bridge for excess water, and create a sunken garden next to the NWC to allow the river to expand. 5