No. 22-1 July 14, 2021 NEWSLETTER Argo Drain Sub-Basin Facility Opening Stormwater Runoff Will be Treated for Ground Infiltration On June 17, 2021 a celebration was held to mark the opening of the Argo Drain Sub-Basin Facility that will capture stormwater runoff, treat and deliver it to an 8.1 million-gallon underground infiltration system. The facility is located on LA World Airport property, near the northwest corner of LAX, at Westchester Parkway and Falmouth Avenue. Councilmember Mike Bonin thanked ev- eryone for coming and said, “As Councilmem- ber for L.A.’s Westside coastal communities, I wholeheartedly support investments that improve the quality of our most precious natu- ral resource - water. This project does that and more, by ensuring LAX meets environmental commitments and by providing open space for Westchester and Playa del Rey.” Argo is designed to assist the City in com- l to r: Allen Wang (BOE), John Saldin (BOE), Roosevelt Bagby (BCA), Inspector of Public Works plying with the Santa Monica Bay Beaches John Reamer, Tony Bagheri (OHL USA), Chris Johnson (BOE), PW Board President Greg Good, Bacteria (SMBBB) Total Maximum Daily Load City Engineer Gary Lee Moore, Justin Erbacci (LAWA), Councilmember Mike Bonin, Deputy (TMDL) for wet weather by capturing runoff City Engineer Alfred Mata, PW Commissioner Jessica Caloza, Alvaro Prada (BOE), Deputy City of a 2,320 acres tributary area, including Engineer Jose Fuentes, Robert Samonte (BOE), Valeria Velasco (Airport Commissioner), Prop both LAWA property and the City of LA’s O Citizens Oversight Advisory Committee Chair Adi Liberman, Shahram Kharaghani (LASAN). Westchester neighborhood. In addition, Argo will enable LAWA to help meet the regulatory Photos courtesy of LASAN requirements of its Municipal Storm Water Argo will help meet stormwater pollution Drain, which discharge into Dockweiler Permit, including Low Impact Development requirements by capturing rainfall from the Beach and Santa Monica Bay. (LID) and Industrial General Permit (IGP) Argo Ditch, (owned by LAWA), County of The captured flow from these three storm requirements. LA Drain #647, and the City of LA Falmouth drains will be screened and pre-treated to remove trash and particulates. The flows will be diverted through a 42-inch pipe to a 40- foot by 20-foot by 40-foot depth wet well in a pump station. The pump station has three pumps capable of pumping 800,000 gallons per hour into a 120-foot by 20-foot, 17-foot deep clarifier to settle out suspended solids and debris. After the clarifier, the water will flow to a 250-foot diameter, 27-foot deep underground concrete infiltration tank with a capacity of 8.1 million gallons, and to eighteen 85-foot to 100-foot depth, 12-inch diameter dry wells. From the tank and wells, stormwater will infiltrate at a rate of 3-inch per hour into the ground to supplement the groundwater. The project also includes a methane mitigation system because it is located in a methane buffer zone. Councilmember Bonin noted, “This project wouldn’t happen without Prop O, which is the $500 million Clean Water Bond that voters approved in 2004. This is you, this is the voters that did that.” This plan shows the project location right next to LAX, and the drainage area. continued on page 2 Argo Drain Opening continued from page 1 Project Engineer; Jesus Bermudez, Project Group; Gregg Vandergriff, Project Award Adi Liberman, Chair of the Proposition O Engineer; Long Hoang, Acting Construction and Control Division Manager; and from Citizens Oversight Advisory Committee, said, Management Division Manager; Alvaro Pra- the Bureau of Contract Administration: John “As a result of this project about a 100 million da, Construction Manager; Robert Samonte, Reamer, Inspector of Public Works; Roosevelt gallons a day of water is returned to the ground Construction Manager; Maria Martin, En- Bagby, Chief Construction Inspector; Mike and that provides drinking water for our use vironmental Management Group Manger; Smith, Construction Inspector; and everyone here, and of course we’ll have a new park for William Jones, Environmental Management else who contributed to this project. enjoyment of the public.” “The Argo Drain Sub Basin Facility is the product of great partnership between L.A. Sanitation, LAWA, Councilmember Bonin, the mayor and Public Works - and value proposition is enhanced water quality, less pollution on our beaches and, crucially, water capture,” said Greg Good, President of the Board of Public Works. “These are invest- ments we’ve made for our future, helping us to achieve climate resiliency and ensure that we meet our Green New Deal goal of 100% recycled water.” “Today’s opening of the Argo Drain sub-ba- sin facility is thanks to a strong collaboration between the Mayor’s office, our local Council office, fellow City departments, LAWA and the neighboring community, all of whom are working together to create a more sustainable future,” said Justin Erbacci, CEO of Los Ange- les World Airports. “LAWA is committed to smart water management and we are proud Argo Drain site plan showing where the underground structures are located. to join our partners to help realize the city’s vision for conservation and environmental stewardship.” The Bureau of Engineering was pleased to partner with the Bureau of Sanitation, Los Angeles World Airports, and many others to implement the Argo Drain Sub-basin Facility (Argo) project. Funding for design and con- struction was provided by Prop O and LAWA. Congratulations go to consultant AECOM, contractor OHL USA, Alfred Mata, Deputy City Engineer; Jose Fuentes, Deputy City Engineer; Christopher Johnson, Prop O Pro- gram Manager; John Saldin, Project Manager; Allen Wang, Project Engineer; Lubna Malik. Board of Public Works President Greg Good speaking at the event. City Engineer Gary Lee Moore Rendering of the completed open space Page 2 Engineering Newsletter - 7/14/21 Normandale Skate Park is a Hit with Skateboarders On July 1, 2021 an enthusiastic group of the Harbor Gateway community and skateboard- ers gathered to cheer on Councilmember Joe Buscaino as he cut the ribbon to open the Normandale Skate Park, 22400 Halldale Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90501. Buscaino said, “Now for more than five years of hard work we as a community and dedication from the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Bureau of Engineering, Contract Administration, Childs Play, and the Harbor Gateway South community, we are here at the finish line. We made a commitment that we were going to make every effort, nine years ago, to make sure that every community that we represent has a skate park. We made that promise and today we’re excited to know that all five communities in Council District 15 has a skate park with the opening of the Normandale Skate Park. This Prop K project has been several years in the making and in- cludes the expansion of the Normandale Rec Center, the construction of the 17,000 square Councilmember Joe Buscaino cuts the ribbon to officially open Normandale Skate Park. foot skate park, 7,000 square foot of light and Photos by Stephanie Chitica, Rec & Parks Dept. concrete pathways, and renovated restrooms, “As we know, skate parks are more than to fulfilling that promise. Next will be Channel all of which are new amenities that this com- just areas for recreation, they are spaces where Street followed by the Watts Skate Park. And munity deserves. The skate park is a result of skaters can pursue their passion, they are to all who’ve worked on this project over the the tireless commitment of Mike Shull and safe havens for our kids, our youth, and most past five years I want you to know that you his incredible staff Leslie Perez, Craig Reyes, importantly, they are now training grounds are leaving an enduring legacy. ” Carla Arau and David Edda. The Bureau of for future Olympians. Yes, skateboarding is Recreation & Parks Department General Engineering - Neel Mistry, Richard Campbell now an Olympic sport. Can you imagine an Manager Mike Shull noted, “We’ve come from were essential in getting us through countless Olympian coming out of Normandale Skate the least skateable city to the most skateable hurdles through the design and construction Park when we are together in 2028 and when city in America. During that time from 2007 of the park. Chris Childs and his team from that kid is on the podium getting a gold medal, we’ve built 22 new skate parks across the Childs Play did an incredible job with the that Olympian saying I came from Harbor City of Los Angeles. That’s a lot of skate parks, design and construction of this park in record Gateway. That’s my vision, that’s our vision, we’ve renovated four others, that’s 26 in total. time. Most importantly, the Harbor Gateway that’s our goal. You’d be hard pressed to find any big city in South community members began this effort, “As I mentioned, as of today officially we America that’s done more than that.” and spent countless hours in meetings as part have built our third skate park with two more City Engineer Gary Lee Moore said, “You of a local volunteer neighborhood oversight are in the making. We are another step closer know, we get to build bridges, police stations, committee to provide input on the design. continued on page 4 Councilmember Joe Buscaino welcoming everyone to the new skate park. Engineering Newsletter - 7/14/21 Page 3 Normandale Skate Park cont’d from page 3 cans with Disability Act, and the addition of an 4. Added ADA curb ramp at the parking lot ADA ramp at the recreation center parking lot.