Continuous Improvement Item - Stormwater

Objective - Stormwater

stormwater iconFurther investigate the implementation of a stormwater master plan. 

Note: This was also a 2021 priority and 2022 continuous improvement item.


Key Departments

City Manager's Office
Engineering
Finance Department


Stormwater Continuous Improvement Details

Expectations
  • Educate Board of Commissioners on current Stormwater Master Plan and Stormwater Utility
  • Reassess and consider the timeline assumptions
  • Consider adoption of the Plan
  • Consider using portion of existing bond proceeds for identified projects within the plan
  • Board of Commissioners to consider the feasibility of a stormwater utility fee excluding the floodwall costs
  • Identify and establish a community-wide strategy supported by local businesses and churches  
Accomplishments and Projects

Funding

  • American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds  In July 2021, the Paducah Board of Commissioners approved designating $4 million in ARPA funding toward stormwater infrastructure projects. The City is receiving approximately $6.439 million in ARPA funds.  
  • Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant The City applied in 2022 for a BRIC grant through FEMA for the 14th Street Relief Sewer Project which is listed in the Comprehensive Stormwater Master Plan. The project involves a large-diameter relief sewer along 14th Street and H.C. Mathis Drive to mitigate overland flow that collects near 26th and Kruger streets.

Staffing  Completed the recruitment process and hired Assistant City Engineer Greg Guebert.

Stormwater Projects  Amended the contract with engineering consultant, Strand Associates, to include modeling and cost estimates for four possible stormwater projects listed in the Comprehensive Stormwater Master Plan.  Also, the City has started reviewing a Drainage Manual, a draft document provided with Strand Associates, that emphasizes design criteria of stormwater management systems.

  • Buckner Lane Bridge Project  Using ARPA funding, the Buckner Lane Bridge Replacement project was expanded to run from Hansen Road to Pecan Drive. Construction began May 31, 2022, and is 95% completed. It will be finalized in March and April 2023. The project includes constructing a wider replacement bridge over Crooked Creek, installing a new culvert under Oakcrest Drive, and the widening of Buckner Lane roadway with utility relocations. This project improves stormwater conditions in the area by reducing the times Crooked Creek comes out of its banks due to severe storm events.
  • Central Avenue  In 2022, using City funds and existing contracts, much-needed drainage improvements were made to an approximately 1550 foot long ditch on Central Avenue.
  • South 24th Street Project  This project which involves roadway improvements and a stormwater detention area has been designed. The City purchased property along Barnett and South 24th streets to use for stormwater retention (using ARPA funding). The parcels will be used to create an approximately 4-acre stormwater detention area to help reduce residential flooding along Cross Creek. work to create the detention area may begin in 2023 depending upon funding availability.
  • South 25th Street Road Improvement Project  The project has been designed, placed out to bid, and awarded to Central Paving Company with the project initiated on June 13, 2022. The project is 75% complete with work to resume in April. The project improves connectivity, walkability, and drainage with work on South 25th Street from Jackson Street to Alabama Street. Read more about the South 25th Street project.

Commission Priorities

Read all Commission Priorities and Continuous Improvement Items including each action item's objective, key departments, and expectations by visiting Commission Priorities.