TENNESSEE CHAPTER OF AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION HONORS LDA ENGINEERING’S JOHNSON CITY PROJECT

December 2, 2014

Founders Park selected Project of the Year

The Tennessee Chapter of American Public Works Association (TCAPWA) has awarded Founders Park in Johnson City as the Project of the Year.

As the winner of the state award, the project will be entered into the national American Public Works Association Project of the Year competition next fall.

Don Mauldin of LDA Engineering and Phil Pindzola of Johnson City Public Works Department accept the Tennessee Chapter of American Public Works Association Tennessee Project of the Year award for Founders Park in Johnson City. The project will be entered in the APWA national competition in the fall of 2015.

Don Mauldin of LDA Engineering and Phil Pindzola of Johnson City Public Works Department accept the Tennessee Chapter of American Public Works Association Tennessee Project of the Year award for Founders Park in Johnson City. The project will be entered in the APWA national competition in the fall of 2015.

“This award from the TCAPWA is a true testament to the community collaboration, innovative design and hard work that went into the Founders Park project,” said Jason Brooks, president and CEO of LDA Engineering. “We were proud to be selected to lead the project from concept through completion, and it is exciting to see the economic and environmental benefits provided to downtown Johnson City.

“Winning this award is the icing on the cake to an already successful project in our portfolio.”

For years, downtown Johnson City was plagued with flooding from the large urban streams, Brush and King creeks. The flooding hindered economic development, and the city sought guidance on a cost-effective, obtainable solution to improve downtown infrastructure.

Over six years, LDA Engineering worked with the city to facilitate meetings and develop a Master Development Plan for downtown. The plan integrated infrastructure improvements with innovative uses for newly formed public spaces. The total project represented a $30 million investment in stormwater management infrastructure. That investment ultimately would provide a significant return through increased private investment in the area, such as a new Tupelo Honey restaurant and the development of the Farmer’s Market.

Founders Park was the first project selected from the Master Development Plan for completion. Nearly $4.5 million was approved for construction, design and acquisition.

Since its completion, Founders Park has provided a beautiful downtown gathering area, improved local drainage, environmentally improved stream and a major step in the implementation of the Master Plan.

“Founders Park began the process of addressing Stormwater infrastructure in downtown Johnson City, while also adding to the quality of life by providing sustainable green space for all Johnson City residents to enjoy,” Brooks said. “This project is the perfect example of creative, yet sustainable solutions that LDA Engineering works to develop for our clients every day.”

About LDA Engineering

LDA Engineering is an employee-owned firm based in East Tennessee with offices in Johnson City, Morristown, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville focused on delivering engineering, operational, and management solutions to infrastructure challenges for water, wastewater and stormwater in East Tennessee. Established as Lamar Dunn & Associates Inc. (LD&A) in 1982, LDA Engineering’s innovative solutions to water-related problems continually earn national recognition from industry organizations, such as the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).