Nearly three years after design began, the land use process is over, the contractor and the city of Portland have agreed to terms, and work is impending on the Washington Park Reservoir project – a massive infrastructure effort rolling together several big goals of the city. It will involve about 100 workers a day over about eight years, an 80-foot truck turntable, two tower cranes and a 1,000-foot conveyor system.

A project like this comes along once in a career, said Teresa Elliott, chief engineer of the Portland Water Bureau.

“In the water industry, you don’t get that many big projects like this,” she said.

Though promoted last fall to her perch as chief engineer, Elliott is committed to seeing this project through, having come up through the water bureau and worked on the project from its inception.

Ensuring earthquake readiness

Seismic resiliency is a huge issue for Elliott. She said this project and another, installing an earthquake-proof drinking water pipe deep under the Willamette River, are the biggest ones the city has going.

The crossing is intended to provide a reliable backup water source for a huge swath of Portland that includes downtown. The city’s six existing crossings are buried near the river bottom and not expected to fare well in a major seismic event.

Elliott said the two projects go hand in hand.

“We’ve told people, it doesn’t do any good to have a pipeline to get reliable water across the river, if we don’t have a place to store it,” she said. “And it doesn’t do us any good to have a reliable storage site if we don’t have a pipeline to bring water.”

Generally, the project, currently estimated at a total cost of $170 million, will replace the upper of Washington Park’s two reservoirs – Reservoir 3 – with a below-ground reservoir in roughly the same footprint as the existing one. To preserve the site’s appearance, a reflecting pool will be built on top. The lower Reservoir 4 will be taken offline and the area used for landslide abatement and a bio-swale.

There are four big reasons for the project:

• First and foremost, it conforms to a 2006 federal mandate against uncovered supplies of public drinking water, known as LT-2. The city’s EPA-approved timeline specifies that design work be completed by the end of this month, and that construction begin by July 1.

• Second, the reservoirs are both 120 years old and at the end of their serviceable lives. A rubber liner has been used to keep water in Reservoir 3.

• Washington Park is located in the path of an ancient landslide. Though the city has been reducing its effects by draining underground water, the slide still moves about a quarter-inch each year. Evidence of movement is apparent all around the park, as Elliott pointed out on a site tour last week. Big gashes are visible in the 100-year-old concrete. Trees grow in “J” shapes. A drainage ditch has nearly folded over on itself.

• The new underground reservoir will feature rebar and thicker, stronger concrete as well as other design aspects intended to aid in seismic resiliency and help it survive an earthquake.

The Oregon Resilience Plan specifies that a city’s primary water system be operational 24 hours after a major seismic event. Right now, Portland isn’t there, Elliott said. And though this project includes softer amenities like wildlife habitat, for Elliott, this project is about securing a public utility well into the future.

The new reservoir has been designed to survive a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake as well as one from one of the three local faults (which could arguably do the same amount of damage, according to Elliott). A CSZ quake is said to be 15 percent likely to occur in the next 50 years.

The new structures also will be able to handle 75 years of landslide movement. A kind of engineered Styrofoam will be installed as a seismic buffer, or “compressible inclusion buffer,” between the landslide and reservoir and then backfilled over.

Originally, the site was chosen by city engineers because several natural springs arrive at the site. But today, the land has presented a number of difficulties to project engineers. (Farther uphill, the Portland Japanese Garden is practically built on top of the slide.) During the lengthy public review process, some residents wondered why the city chose to build new reservoirs in such a problematic location. Project managers believe that although the site isn’t perfect, it is the best option available.

“It’s close to the backbone system, so we won’t have to build new connections to another site, not that there’s even one available,” said Stan VandeBergh, the water bureau’s principal engineer and this project’s lead.

Portland’s drinking water originates as rainwater and snowmelt in the Bull Run watershed, 24 miles to the east. About 80 percent of the city’s water is gravity-fed, with users above the park mainly getting their water pumped.

Gravity-fed water is cheaper and greener than other options, and large-capacity water storage at Washington Park is important to maintain supply for Portlanders west of the Willamette River. Pumping facilities at the park also provide water to uphill users.

Anticipating neighborhood impacts

With infrastructure this old, historic preservation factored heavily into the design of the project. The Washington Park Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. Key to project plan was keeping the appearance of these water features.

“People cherish these here,” Elliott said. “They’re sacred ground. From day one, when they first built the park, the reservoirs were always part of the park.”

Though reticent at first, neighbors have come around to project. The worry now is over the anticipated construction impacts, according to Todd Talcott, board member of the Arlington Heights Neighborhood Association. Those include the practical effects of 100-plus workers coming and going each weekday. About 19 percent of the park’s parking will be affected, Elliott said, as well as closures to Southwest Sacajawea and Sherwood boulevards.

Talcott’s house in the quiet neighborhood is one of the closest to the project site.

“It’s a big project,” Talcott said. “It’s going to be a big part of my life. But it’s for the betterment of the city. Really, when you’re going up against a giant, that’s just how it is.”

Hoffman was hired two years ago to participate in the design process. The firm will serve as construction manager-general contractor for the project.

The deadline to finish Reservoir 3 is the end of 2019, and Reservoir 4 must be disconnected from the city’s water system by the end of 2020. Then the earth will be given two years to settle, before crews go back, evaluate and add the reflecting pools.

Work won’t fully wrap in 2024, Elliott said.

Engineers, like those who built Portland’s water system, work on a different kind of timetable.

“They were amazingly smart; they had great forethought,” Elliott said. “You figure that, 120 years ago, with the technology they had, they surveyed from Bull Run all the way to here, and came up with a gravity-fed system that’s still usable today. I think that’s pretty cool.”

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A city Historic Landmarks Commission hearing earlier this month that focused on plans to make major changes to city reservoirs in Washington Park went smoothly, but one member of the commission still has his doubts.

The $76 million project includes construction of a new underground reservoir to replace two existing open-air reservoirs, demolition of the historic Weir Building, restoration work to dams and gatehouses, and a new hiking path.

Plans also call for the addition of a reflecting pool on top of a buried reservoir in the same location as existing Reservoir 3, which is set to be demolished. In addition, a series of tiered pools and a nature area will be built on the current location of Reservoir 4, which also is scheduled for demolition.

City officials announced last year they had received a mandate from the Oregon Health Authority to follow a federal regulation that outlaws the use of uncovered reservoirs to store drinking water, leading to the plans for changing the park’s reservoir system.

During the recent hearing, a handful of people testified both for and against the project. Among those testifying was John Czarnecki, a former member of the Historic Landmarks Commission, who spoke about what he feels is the historic character of Reservoir 4. Czarnecki also wrote a letter to the landmarks commission in which he stated that Reservoir 4 “is worthy of conservation for continued use” and should be retained.

While four of the commission member said they support the $76 million project, Commissioner Harris Matarazzo said he agrees with Czarnecki’s assessment of Reservoir 4.

Matarazzo added that he feels the reservoirs have been poorly maintained and wants more reassurance from the water bureau about the future.

“We don’t have any assurance from the water bureau that historic structures would remain,” he said. “My real concern is whether any new projects will be maintained.”

Another formal review of the reservoir plans will be held before the Landmarks Commission at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 9.

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City planners are seeking public comments on plans to demolish a historic building and reservoirs in Portland’s Washington Park.

Bureau of Development Services staffers issued a last week, for the first of two land use review applications that Portland Water Bureau officials submitted in December. The applications are for a $76 million project to build a new underground reservoir in place of the park’s existing open-air reservoirs.

A copy of the first application is posted on the PWB website. Comments sent to city planner Hillary Adam by March 9 will be included in the official record, and a staff report will be presented at a Historic Landmarks Commission public hearing scheduled for March 23 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 2500A, 1900 S.W. Fourth Ave.

A second public hearing before the Portland City Council is scheduled for April 23 at 2 p.m. at Portland City Hall, 1221 S.W. Fourth Ave.

With the PWB’s first land use application, officials are seeking the City Council’s OK to demolish the historic Weir Building and remove portions of two reservoir basins to make way for the proposed Washington Park Reservoir Improvements Project.

Project plans call for a fountain consisting of a series of tiered pools and a nature area atop a planned 15-million-gallon underground drinking water reservoir in the footprint of one of the existing reservoirs. Washington Park’s other reservoir would be decommissioned and a lowland habitat area and reflecting pool would replace it.

PWB officials plan this spring to submit a second land use review application for construction of the new covered reservoir, reflecting pools, lowland habitat area and walkways as well as rehabilitation of historic structures nearby.

Officials announced last year that they plan to proceed with the project after receiving a mandate from the Oregon Health Authority to follow a federal regulation that outlaws the use of uncovered reservoirs to store finished drinking water. The rule is intended to reduce the risk of exposure to contaminants.

Hoffman Construction crews are scheduled to start work on the project on July 1, 2016 and wrap up in late 2020.

Public comments on the initial land use review application for the project can be emailed before March 9 to hillary.adam@portlandoregon.gov, faxed to 503-823-5630, or mailed to Hillary Adam, Land Use Services, Bureau of Development Services, RE: LU 14-249689, 1900 S.W. Fourth Ave., Suite 4500, Portland, OR 97201.

Comments submitted after March 9 can be faxed to 503-823-5630, or mailed to the Historic Landmarks Commission at 1900 S.W. Fourth Ave., Suite 4500, Portland, OR 97201.

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Portland Water Bureau officials this week submitted the first of two land use review applications for a $76 million project to build a new underground reservoir in place of Washington Park‘s existing open-air reservoirs.

With this application, officials are seeking Portland City Council‘s OK to demolish the historic Weir Building and remove portions of two reservoir basins to make way for the proposed Washington Park Reservoir Improvements Project.

Next month, the Portland Bureau of Development Services will issue a notice of public hearing and open a 71-day public comment period for that portion of the project. The public hearing date has not been set yet, Water Bureau spokeswoman Jaymee Cuti said via email.

Project plans call for a fountain consisting of a series of tiered pools and a nature area atop a planned 15-million-gallon underground drinking water reservoir in the footprint of one of the existing reservoirs. Washington Park’s other reservoir would be decommissioned and a lowland habitat area and reflecting pool would replace it.

Water Bureau officials plan to next spring submit a second land use review application for construction of the new covered reservoir, reflecting pools, lowland habitat area and walkways as well as rehabilitation of historic structures nearby.

Before building permits can be issued, land use review applications must gain city approval. This includes a historic resource review by the Historic Landmarks Commission and a conditional use and environmental review through the city hearings officer.

Water Bureau officials announced last year that they plan to proceed with the project after receiving a mandate from the Oregon Health Authority to follow a federal regulation that outlaws the use of uncovered reservoirs to store finished drinking water. The rule is intended to reduce the risk of exposure to contaminants.

Hoffman Construction crews are scheduled to start work on the project on July 1, 2016 and wrap up in late 2020.

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Designs for a $67 million project to cover one of Washington Park‘s historic open-air reservoirs and decommission the other are more than halfway complete, and the Portland Water Bureau is seeking public input on the latest refinements.

Water bureau officials on Wednesday will meet with members of a nine-person community sounding board committee to discuss the designs and potential construction impacts on nearby residents and businesses, bureau spokesman Tim Hall said. The group includes representatives of Portland neighborhoods surrounding the park and Portland Parks & Recreation.

Wednesday’s meeting is open to the public and will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church, at 1015 S.W. 18th Ave.

Committee members have been meeting since the summer to develop concepts for park features in the footprint of the existing reservoirs. Community input helped water bureau officials and the project’s designer and engineer, AECOM, create plans for water features and a nature area atop a planned 15 million-gallon underground drinking water reservoir and nearby overflow and dechlorination tanks, Hall said.

“These are concepts that have been put forth by sounding board members,” he said. “This is what we heard from the community.”

City officials announced last year that they would proceed with the project after receiving a mandate from the Oregon Health Authority to follow a federal regulation that outlaws the use of uncovered reservoirs to store finished drinking water. The rule is intended to reduce the risk of exposure to contaminants.

Project plans, not yet approved by Portland City Council, call for a nature area and fountain consisting of a series of tiered pools over the new underground reservoir.

Washington Park’s other reservoir would be decommissioned and used for overflow, dechlorination and stormwater management. Based on suggestions from the sounding board group, water bureau officials are considering the addition of another water feature over the decommissioned reservoir and transforming that area into a lowland habitat area, Hall said.

Construction is scheduled to start in summer 2016 and wrap up in late 2020.

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Portland Water Bureau officials, in an effort to comply with federal regulations, are moving ahead with a project to disconnect the three open reservoirs at Mount Tabor Park by the end of next year.

Late last month, the bureau submitted a land use review application for the project to the Bureau of Development Services. The process will include reviews of historic resources and environmental impacts as well as a public comment period and hearing.

Construction at the Southeast Portland park, scheduled to start in early 2015, will separate the reservoirs from the city’s water system. This includes building a new pipeline that will circumvent the reservoirs to deliver drinking water for distribution to homes. Three non-historic vaults will be removed and replaced with new underground vaults elsewhere.

The next step will be to figure out what to do with the decommissioned reservoirs, which will be taken over by Portland Parks & Recreation, Water Bureau spokeswoman Jaymee Cuti said. City Commissioner Amanda Fritz is leading an effort to gather ideas from the public on the next use for the historic drinking water reservoirs. Some initial suggestions from the public include converting them into a park water feature, a pool or a skate park, Cuti said.

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There’s a lull in construction on Powell Butte, but things should pick up again soon. The Water Bureau’s largest construction project – for a few years, anyway – is the addition of a new 50 million-gallon reservoir in Powell Butte Nature Park. The next phase, which will be completed by Corona, Calif.-based contractor SSC Construction, will kick off later this month.

SSC is in the process of preparing a plan for involving DMWESB subcontractors in the $80 million project, said water bureau spokesman Tim Hall.

The new reservoir is part of a larger $138 million project that is fulfilling a 1995 master plan for the site. The water bureau has been able to continue its planned construction projects during down economic times. The $138 million Powell Butte reservoir project is being paid for by a city stimulus package passed in 2009.

With so little other work in town, there has been a lot of competition for the water bureau’s projects, according to Teresa Elliot, principal engineer for the Powell Butte project.

“There are a lot of contractors vying for this work,” she said.

The first phase of the project involved digging out hundreds of tons of soil to make room for the underground reservoir.

SSC crews should start work on Powell Butte later this month with some additional excavation – the hole for the reservoir still needs to be 15 feet deeper. The project is on track to have a new reservoir ready and on-line in 2013, Elliot said.

SSC’s work will include constructing the new reservoir and its connecting pipelines, valves, large vaults, and electrical and instrument improvements.

Additional construction on Powell Butte, including some mitigation measures, is coming up. Work on a new interpretive center and a caretaker’s house is about a year out, Elliot said. The final phase of the project will include trail improvements and new landscaping.

The biggest challenge for the project has been a logistical one.

“This construction is being done in a park that’s open at all times,” Elliott said. “We have to move park users around the perimeters of the construction site so they can continue to enjoy the park and not worry about accidents between them and the contractors.”

The Powell Butte project is the largest project that the water bureau will manage for the next two years, Elliot said, but there is more work to be had in the future. The water bureau’s next project will be the construction of a 25 million-gallon Kelly Butte reservoir; work on that should begin next summer, Elliott said. There are also some surface draining improvements that could be done on an older reservoir at Powell Butte, but plans for those aren’t yet final.

Both of these replacements aim at creating new reservoir capacity, both to accommodate population grown and so that the city’s five uncovered reservoirs can be taken offline. The Environmental Protection Agency said it would require the replacement of the uncovered reservoirs early last year, and Portland’s final request for variance was refused earlier this summer.

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