Streetscape and
Green Infrastructure Design

Virginia, Conti, and Rosedale Roadway and Drainage Enhancements

GreenPoint provided engineering design services in support of the full reconstruction of Virginia, Conti and Rosedale streets in the Navarre neighborhood of New Orleans. These streets largely lack subsurface drainage, relying on ditches and sheet flow to drain. GreenPoint also incorporated these blocks into the existing outfall system hydraulic model to help the City establish a methodology by which street-level drainage design can be modeled on a neighborhood level, using the outfall system model as the boundary condition. Design is currently 90% complete.

The streets are constructed on a base layer of shell, contributing to the streets’ poor condition and making partial repairs difficult. The streets and street rights-of-way are also very narrow in some locations. This along with the fact that homes were built very close to the right of way lines limits the options available to make drainage and utility corrections. Drainage is also a challenge in the neighborhood, as the ditches have become overgrown, and private homeowner improvements have encroached within the right-of-way. These challenges, coupled with poor road condition, prompted the Department of Public Works to consider the installation of subsurface infrastructure to improve drainage.

GreenPoint’s design incorporates rain gardens to improve drainage and enhance the neighborhood’s aesthetic. To preserve the character of the neighborhood, and to limit the impact on the residents’ front yards and parking, GreenPoint’s design of a new subsurface drainage system incorporates permeable parking strips in lieu of the traditional curb and gutter design. This approach allows maintenance of the existing road width as well as preservation of the trees lining the street. To help facilitate traffic flow within the neighborhood without widening the roadway, GreenPoint supported the City’s outreach to residents to gather feedback and opinions on the option of converting Conti Street to one-way traffic.

As the project includes full reconstruction of the subsurface utilities, GreenPoint coordinated with the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans for the replacement of water distribution and wastewater collection lines.

Joint Infrastructure Recovery Request Projects RR022, RR023, RR024, RR068 and RR207

GreenPoint is providing engineering services for four projects simultaneously as part of the City of New Orleans’ Joint Infrastructure Recovery Request (JIRR) Program, the FEMA-funded program that addresses road, drainage and subsurface utility damages resulting from Hurricane Katrina. Through these combined projects, GreenPoint is providing design services for the repairs of 515 city blocks. The work encompasses the Central City neighborhood, the Iberville/Tulane/Gravier corridor, the Central Business District and the Lower Garden District. The projects capture comprehensive road repairs, including water, sewer and stormwater utility replacements, as well as historic preservation.

GreenPoint is also preparing the associated water line replacement designs within the Central City neighborhood under a separate Sewerage and Water Board design subcontract.

GreenPoint’s effort began with assessing the condition of streets in the field to confirm the type and extent of repairs required. The field investigations also noted potential conflicts with existing utilities and any overlap with planned or concurrent projects. The field investigations also considered potential impacts to character defining features, a critical step in the process given the historic character of the neighborhoods within the scope.

GreenPoint’s approach to design integrates GIS tools and CAD, allowing a streamlined incorporation of data we gather in field with the design drawings. Though this approach is more complicated and requires additional time and expertise, it allows for a more accurate design and flexibility as site conditions change.

St. Anthony Green Streets

This estimated $13.4 million project, a component of the Gentilly Resilience District, will create a network of small green infrastructure improvements that will capture water where it falls, reduce runoff flowing into the city’s drainage system, infiltrate stormwater, and reduce flooding. The goals for this project are to improve stormwater management and reduce flood risk and subsidence, empower residents to participate in adapting their block and neighborhood parks to manage water and build resilience, enhance social cohesion and community well-being, and develop a replicable model for block-by-block strategies for stormwater management and community resilience across the city.

Batture is the prime consultant for this project, with overall responsibility for all aspects.  GreenPoint is providing subconsultant hydraulic modeling services using PCSWMM, and drainage and subsurface utility design. As project prime, Batture has supervised all oversight of complete streets design and community engagement, planning, and outreach activities. Batture’s effective communication and coordination between agencies (including the City of New Orleans, Sewerage and Water Board, Gentilly Resilience District stakeholders, the public, sub-consultants, and project managers of other Gentilly Resilience District projects) has promoted timely and efficient task completion. Batture’s fee for the project is $1.6 million.