Leaders sign Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management design agreement

Once fully constructed, project could net $122M in annual benefits from damage reduction to city structures, economists forecast

@norfolkdistrict
Published July 1, 2019
Norfolk City Manager Doug Smith and Col. Patrick Kinsman, commander of Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, sign the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management design agreement at the Waterfield Building on Fort Norfolk, Virginia, June 28, 2019.
Norfolk City Manager Doug Smith and Col. Patrick Kinsman, commander of Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, sign the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management design agreement at the Waterfield Building on Fort Norfolk, Virginia, June 28, 2019. The project is aimed at reducing damage from coastal storms to local businesses, residents and infrastructure. (U.S. Army photo/Vince Little)
Norfolk City Manager Doug Smith and Col. Patrick Kinsman, commander of Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, sign the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management design agreement at the Waterfield Building on Fort Norfolk, Virginia, June 28, 2019.
Leaders sign Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management design agreement
Norfolk City Manager Doug Smith and Col. Patrick Kinsman, commander of Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, sign the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management design agreement at the Waterfield Building on Fort Norfolk, Virginia, June 28, 2019. The project is aimed at reducing damage from coastal storms to local businesses, residents and infrastructure. (U.S. Army photo/Vince Little)
Photo By: Vince Little
VIRIN: 190628-A-EA411-9865
NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management project just got another boost from city officials and Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Col. Patrick Kinsman, district commander, and City Manager Doug Smith signed the design agreement Friday, clearing a path for the Army and Norfolk to share costs in funding and developing full designs for the first construction feature. Its execution allows start of the Preconstruction Engineering and Design, or PED, phase.

“Norfolk District is excited to embark on a continued partnership with the city of Norfolk,” Kinsman said during a small signing ceremony at district headquarters on Fort Norfolk. “What’s most important is we’re getting after a hugely unique challenge in the 21st century. I’m glad we can be partners with you in making a difference for the people of this city.”

Economists forecast the project’s estimated annual net benefits at $122 million. That’s based on reduction in damage from coastal storms to Norfolk businesses, residents and infrastructure; fewer health and safety risks, and the local economy’s improved resilience to impacts.

The PED phase, which is planned for two years, depends on full and continuous funding, said Holly Carpenter, Norfolk District’s project manager. The project received $400,000 from the Army Civil Works program’s Fiscal Year 2019 Work Plan to initiate the PED phase.

She said total PED phase costs are estimated at $8.3 million, with USACE covering 65% and the city, its nonfederal sponsor, picking up 35%.

“Norfolk District and the city are working on detailed scoping for the activities to be completed during the PED phase,” Carpenter added. “The first construction feature to be fully designed is planned as a 1.3-mile segment of berm and floodwall extending from Harbor Park and terminating at the existing downtown floodwall.”

Other potential activities targeted during full-design development include utility and topographic surveys, geotechnical and cultural-resources investigations, interior-drainage analysis, a value-engineering study, acquisition of construction permits, and a plans-and-specifications package ready for contractor bids.

The Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Study examined coastal-storm risk management and resilience-planning initiatives and projects underway at USACE and other federal, state and local agencies. It recommended a $1.4 billion project featuring storm-surge barriers, nearly 8 miles of floodwall, a 1-mile levee, 11 tide gates, and seven pump and power stations.

That feasibility stage culminated in early February when Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite signed the Chief of Engineers Report and triggered the PED phase.

“On behalf of the city of Norfolk, I really can’t thank you enough. It’s been a process that started long before I got here and will continue long after we’re both gone,” Smith told Kinsman and a group of Army Corps engineers at the ceremony.

“Our relationship has been one of tremendous collaboration, and I think we’re proudest of the timeline we’ve stayed on. We look forward to bringing this project to full fruition.”

Norfolk CSRM was the first completed feasibility study following the larger North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study, which USACE tackled after Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The feasibility study was approved by a Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works resolution.

In order for construction to start in Norfolk, the project must be authorized by Congress, budgeted and a Project Partnership Agreement executed with the city.