HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7622 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7622
I,1.^to 0 Tf* To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 30, 1992
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Subject.
GATEWAY PAMPHASE II DEVELOPMENT RrVER
ACCESS STRUC711RES
On June 9, 1992 the City Council confirmed the emergency purchase of building materials for the
reconstruction of the flood damaged hand rails and screens at Gateway Parks River Access
Structures (M&C P-5718). The City Council requested supplemental information and history
behind the development of these structures. The following outlines the programming, design,
development and repairs related to the two flood damaged park amenities.
PROGRAMMING
Like other parks along the Trinity River (i.e. Forest, Trinity, Heritage), Gateway Park lies within
the 100 year flood plain. Due to the fact that flood waters may inundate parts of the property at
any time, land uses must be compatible and sensitive to these changing conditions. Park like
developments have traditionally been reviewed as a compatible land use within flood prone
areas since the intensity.of development is generally low.
Initial programming for Gateway's Phase H development focused upon expanding athletic field
opportunities and promoting the accessibility to the Trinity River. both of these objectives had
been expressed by the general public and special interest groups in the formulation of the 1986
Capital Improvements Program.
With passage of the 1986 Bond Program $1,000,000 was allocated for Gateway Park. The City
submitted a grant application to the Texas Local Parks, Recreation and Open Space Fund,
administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,for the development of Gateway Park
Phase H. Both items, athletic fields and river accessibility, had been identified as deficiencies
within the State's Outdoor Recreation Plan. Thus, the ranking of Fort Worth's grant application
was high enough to secure an additional $737,500 from the State's park fund. Coupling the
City's CEP funds with the States' grant and a $110,570 gift from Streams and Valleys, Inc.,
Gateway's Phase II development program was established and funded.
DESIGN
Phase II development of Gateway Park which included park roads and parking, off-site water
service extensions, trails, soccer fields, picnic facilities, lighting and two river access points, was
designed and engineered by Carter and Burgess, Inc., Consulting Engineers and the Park and
Recreation Department. Carter and Burgess, Inc. services were primarily related to utilities,
roadways, shelters and river orientated improvements.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7622
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 30, 1992
Page 2 of 4
Subject:
rata
GATEWAY PARKIPHASE II DEVELOPMENT RRTR
ACCESS STRUCTURES
The greatest design challenge was to develop an accessible route in which the park user could
safely transverse from the high cut bank to the rivers edge within the natural context of the river
corridor. While preliminary studies explored a structure made of cast concrete, much of the
natural surrounding would have been lost due to bank stabilization requirements. While the
initially proposed concrete structure was designed to withstand the effects of flooding, should
any failure occur, it was felt that repairs would be very costly and beyond the means of the
City's work force. Thus, alternative building materials and systems were investigated. It was
found that a system of wood piles and decking, similar to other marine applications, would be
more desirable along the river banks. The pile system would 'bridge" the alluvial soils found
along the river, lessening the costly bank stabilization system, and should any damage occur to
the structure, it was projected that normal maintenance forces could handle any repairs.
The engineering of the wood structure took all local hydraulic conditions into account. The
sizing,spacing and detailing of all components were designed to withstand the affects of flooding
and peak flows of the river. The engineers did point out that the most vulnerable elements of
the structure would be the handrails and screens,but projected that damage would be minimal.
All plans and specifications were approved or permitted by the Corps of Engineers, Tarrant
County Water Improvement District, and Department of Transportation and Public Works.
DEVELOPMENT
On April 24, 1990 (M&C-12286) the City Council authorized the execution of a contract with
Steele-Freeman,Inc.for the construction and installation of park improvements in Gateway Park
in the amount of$2,208,570.17 (actual final costs was$2,258,310.32). As a portion of this contract,
Steel-Freeman, Inc. constructed two river access structures at a total cost of $408,597.72.
All elements of the contract were constructed between June 3, 1990 and April 4, 1991. Inspection
duties were the responsibilities of the City's departments of Park and Recreation and
Transportation and Public Works. The consulting engineers,Carter and Burgess,was responsible
for plans and specification interpretation.
Final inspection of all items within the contract occurred on April 11, 1991 with completion of
the punch list items on April 24, 1991. On August 13, 1991 (M&C FP 2849) the City accepted all
park improvements, included in the City Contract No. 17838, constructed by Steel-Freeman.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7622
TO the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 30, 199Z
Page 3 of 4
Subject:
1813
GATEWAY PARK/PHASE II DEVELOPMENT RIVER
ACCESS STRUCTURES
REPAIRS/WARRANTY WORK
Substantial rainfall on October 28-31, 1991 caused the Trinity to flood outside its banks through
Gateway Park Both river access structures were partly submerged under the flood waters.
While this was not the first time the structures had been inundated by flood waters, it was the
highest water level experienced since the original construction of these improvements. Once the
flood waters began to recede, it was noted that a portion of the south river access structure had
pulled away from the header and pile supports. The north structure had one 25 foot ramp
missing. An onsite inspection of both structures on November 18, 1991 with the consulting
engineers revealed that the metal straps connecting the header/pile component to the floor
joist/decking system were not present at all specified locations.
Steel-Freeman was notified that this deficiency in their workmanship was found and the
necessary warranty work would need to be scheduled. The contractor visited the site and
acknowledged by telephone that the corrections would be made once the silt deposits on the
structure were removed.
Prior to any corrections on the behalf of the contractor, local rains on December 18-20, 1991
caused the river to flood once again. During this flood event, numerous sections of the
platforms, at both the north and south access points came loose and floated downstream. An
onsite inspection of the additional flood damage was held on January 8, 1992, after floodwater
had receded, with both the contractor and consulting engineers. This meeting began the lengthy
process of negotiations between the contractor and the City's Department of Law and Park and
Recreation.
A settlement was reached with Steele-Freeman on April 16, 1992. It was agreed that the
contractor would replace, at their cost, missing substructure, bracing and decking caused by the
failure to install according to plans and specifications. The contractor would also be responsible
for installing metal straps as originally specified. The City in-turn would be responsible for
replacement of the railing and screen systems.The City felt the damage to the railing and screens
might have occurred even if there was no flood damage to the substructure/decking elements.
On May 13, 1992, the contractor completed warranty work to the south structure and
subsequently completed their north river access repairs on May 28, 1992. Once the water level
of the river recedes, repair of the railing and screens will be completed.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7622
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 30, 1992
Page 4 of 4
L ccr ))
9 Subject:
1473 GATEWAY PARKIPHASE H DEVELOPMENT .RIVED
ACCESS STRUC77H?ES
SUMMARY
Repairs made by the general contractor has brought the structures into accordance with plans
and specifications. Engineers with Carter and Burgess, Inc. feel that the repaired structures will
withstand the force of floods to which they were designed and no further work will be needed
to improve the integrity of the structure. Notwithstanding the above, in the event that
substantial damages should occur in the future the decisiop of whether or not to pursue repairs
will be made on a case by-case basis subject to funding availability.
The above is submitted for the City Council's information. Should you have additional questions
please contact me or Libby Watson, Assistant City Manager at extension 6140.
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS