April 12, 2024

10 organizations awarded for public works

The American Public Works Association (APWA) Washington Chapter yesterday held its 2024 Public Works Project of the Year Awards in Vancouver. This year a total of 10 organizations were honored for public infrastructure projects around the state.

Organizations competed to earn awards in the categories of Environment, Structures, Transportation and Sustainability. Winning projects included a state-of-the-art wet weather treatment station in Georgetown and the renovation of a community performing arts center in Olympia.

The awards recognize the alliance between the winning projects' managing agency, the contractor, the consultant, and their cooperative achievements for the good of their communities.

The 2024 Public Works Project of the Year Award winners are:

Project: Budd Inlet Treatment Plant Biological Process Improvements

Category: Environment, $25M-$75M

Agency: LOTT Clean Water Alliance

Primary contractor: Prospect Construction

Primary consultant: Parametrix

LOTT Clean Water Alliance completed a major upgrade to the biological nutrient removal process at its main Budd Inlet Treatment Plant, achieving exceptional treatment performance, significant energy savings, and environmental benefits, while also preparing for future growth and stricter discharge regulations.

Project: 19072 Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Phase 1

Category: Environment, $5M-$25M

Agency: City of Pasco Public Works

Primary contractor: Clearwater Construction & Management LLC

Primary consultant: Consor

Construction administrator: HDR

This project in Pasco significantly upgraded the wastewater treatment facility to meet the city's growth, laying the foundation for additional planned upgrades set to unfold over the next 20 years, and showcasing the power of collaboration and adaptability in public works.

Project: Little Bear Creek Advance Mitigation Site

Category: Environment, less than $5M

Agency: Snohomish County Public Works

Primary contractor: Accord Contractors LLC

Primary consultant: Environmental Science Associates (ESA)

The Little Bear Creek Advance Mitigation Site in Snohomish County is an innovative project that has changed how the county handles wetland mitigation. The project involved purchasing a derelict property and restoring it to a high-functioning forested wetland habitat that is expected to bring a 10-fold return of more than $30 million on public funds over 10 years for at least 11 transportation projects.

Photo by Aaron Locke/BCRA [enlarge]

The renovation of The Washington Center for the Performing Arts won in the Structures ($5M-$25M) category.

Project: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts Renovation

Category: Structures, $5M-$25M

Agency: City of Olympia

Primary contractor: Forma Construction

Primary consultant: BCRA

Construction management: WA Consulting Group

With a unique city-owned and privately operated partnership with the city of Olympia, The Washington Center for the Performing Arts underwent major interior renovations that included significant upgrades throughout the theater, as well as reprogramming of old and unused spaces into new concessions, kitchen, cloak room, administrative space and more.

Photo by Stuart Isett [enlarge]

The Structures (less than $5M) award went to a project at Owen Beach Park that overhauled an existing pavilion.

Project: Owen Beach Pavilion and Park

Category: Structures, less than $5M

Agency: Metro Parks Tacoma

Primary contractor: Colvos Construction

Primary consultant: Site Workshop

Through a broad framework of equity, ecology and cultural sensitivity, this project preserved the essence of the place — the beach — while upgrading site infrastructure, preparing for the impacts of sea level rise, improving accessibility, and restoring habitat and shoreline function to enhance and perpetuate this beloved destination for generations to come.

Photo courtesy of American Public Works Association Washington Chapter [enlarge]

The Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station won in the Sustainability/Envision category.

Project: Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station

Category: Sustainability/Envision

Agency: King County Wastewater Treatment Division

Primary contractor: Flatiron West

Primary consultant: Jacobs Engineering Group

The Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station is a cornerstone of King County's efforts to reduce combined sewer overflows into local waters while upholding the county's commitment to equity and social justice, sustainable communities and climate adaptation.

Project: Mill Plain Bus Rapid Transit

Category: Transportation, $25M-$75M

Agency: C-TRAN

Primary contractor: N/A

Primary consultant: HDR

The Mill Plain Bus Rapid Transit project transformed a congestion-plagued boulevard into a multi-modal transportation corridor, delivering C-TRAN's second BRT line that launched ADA-compliant platforms and buses, spurred development, accommodated community growth, and conquered significant challenges including a worldwide pandemic.

Project: 236th Street Northeast Corridor Improvements

Category: Transportation, $5M-$25M

Agency: Snohomish County/Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians

Primary contractor: Reece Construction Co.

Primary consultant: SCJ Alliance

This project integrates a new fish passage, an advanced wetland mitigation site, an innovative low-impact bicycle and pedestrian pathway, and a roundabout. It promotes environmental sustainability and enhances pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular safety.

Project: SR305 Johnson Parkway

Category: Transportation (Small Agency), $5M-$25M

Agency: City of Poulsbo

Primary contractor: Active Construction

Primary consultant: Parametrix

The $20.5 million Johnson Parkway and SR 305 roundabout project serves the city of Poulsbo's east urban area and provides a regional connection for the city and North Kitsap County between Route 305 and Northeast Lincoln Road, ensuring public safety and promoting regional economic vitality, quality of life, the importance of the environment, and the diversity of citizens through essential public infrastructure.

Project: Bellevue Transit Center Raised Intersections

Category: Transportation, less than $5M

Agency: City of Bellevue

Primary contractor: Gary Merlino Construction Co.

Primary consultant: N/A

Construction management: HNTB

This project overcame challenges to construct raised intersections that improved pedestrian and bicycle access to transit in downtown Bellevue, as well as furthering the city's vision for a pedestrian-friendly grand connection corridor through the heart of the city.

All the winning projects are publicly owned. The awards ceremony took place during APWA-WA's spring conference.

“The WA Chapter is honored to be able to recognize public works agencies and their commitment to investing in communities and infrastructure at such a high level throughout the state,” said Tina Nelson, APWA-WA award committee chair.

The American Public Works Association is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 30,000 members involved in the field of public works. APWA has 63 chapters in North America.