Officials in Englewood gathered for a groundbreaking of a new regional detention pond. It is one of many that will be installed as part of an effort to reduce floods.
The effort comes after the city struggled with multiple flooding issues.
The event was held at the southwest corner of Radcliff Avenue and Navajo Street, the future location for one of the detention ponds.
Chris Harguth, communications director, said the South Englewood Flood Reduction Project will reduce flooding in the South Englewood Drainage Basin. It will allow for “stormwater to flow through the system from upstream locations, including areas near Acoma Street south of Tufts Avenue and Rotolo Park.”
“The City of Englewood realized addressing the challenge of localized flooding would be costly,” Harguth said. “The city contracted with engineering experts to identify and prioritize the most effective flood reduction projects and how to invest city resources wisely.”
Harguth said construction on the project started a few months ago. Beginning stages of pond excavation are slated to commence in the weeks ahead.
Harguth said the project increased from $21.5 million to $23 million because “the extension of the design schedule pushed back the construction schedule, which in turn saw an increase in costs due to inflation.”
He said the city received multiple bids on the project.
The city council voted to implement the project in October of 2023, though planning for the project began in 2019.
City officials expect the project to be completed by the end of the year.
“During rain events, the stormwater detention ponds will fill with water providing storage for runoff,” Harguth said. “When the rain stops, the stormwater detention pond is designed to drain within 24 to 48 hours following rain or snowmelt events.”
Harguth said the larger pond will be open for recreation or passive open space once it drains.
Pipe improvements are planned for various areas including Rotolo Park, Stanford Avenue, South Navajo Street and Oxford Avenue.
“In addition to the ponds, over 1,400 feet of tunneling will occur as part of this project to connect the new ponds with stormwater flows coming out of Rotolo Park,” Harguth said.
Harguth said traffic control will be needed at repair sites, but there won’t be any full road closures.
Harguth said a section of Rotolo Park will be moved to direct stormwater into the new stormwater pipes and the detention ponds.
“This work will close a section of Rotolo Park for a period of time and disturb areas with existing grass,” Harguth said. “Any grass and landscaping impacted by this work will be restored after construction is complete.”
Landscaping that can’t be completed in the winter will be completed in spring 2025.