City seeking bids on expansion of Hazel’s Creek stormwater facility

Spokane city engineers are seeking bids for an extension and expansion of the Hazel’s Creek stormwater facility in southeast Spokane.

The project is estimated to cost up to $2 million and involves extending storm sewer lines from the existing Hazel’s Creek facility, which is located south of Ferris High School, to a second stormwater collection area.

The new collection, or infiltration, area would be built on the south side of 37th Avenue just east of Rebecca Street.

City officials in a briefing paper said that the area has been an eyesore because of illegal dumping over the years. The city bought two large parcels there in 2009, according to county records.

The new project would bring open space and trails to the neighborhood.

“Hazel’s Creek is definitely a neighborhood amenity,” said Marlene Feist, city spokeswoman for stormwater utility projects.

“It is also managing stormwater for a lot of the South Hill,” she said.

An old geological formation called a paleochannel runs from southwest to northeast in the area and is being used for stormwater sewer lines connecting the proposed extension of Hazel’s Creek with the earlier installation.

Feist said the project will use low-impact development techniques such as permeable pavement. Those will become examples of how low-impact techniques might be employed elsewhere, she said.

The project consists of approximately 31,000 cubic yards of excavation and embankment, 4,500 feet of storm sewer line, 22 drainage structures, 22,000 square yards of landscaping and planting and 8,000 square yards of pavement.

The facility will include an irrigation system to keep trees and plants alive during dry periods, although all of the landscaping will be of types that use low amounts of water. Dryland grass, shrubs and trees will be included.

The new facility will handle stormwater coming off of 37th Avenue and other parts of the South Side.

Spokane’s street improvement projects this year will include a rebuilding of 37th Avenue from Regal to Custer streets.

That project, at nearly $4.8 million, includes new curbs and gutters from Ray to Custer streets, planting strips, bike lanes and pocket parking spots. Water lines will be replaced as part of the street project.

The installation of huge stormwater facilities across the Spokane area is intended to reduce the amount of pollution going into the Spokane River by diverting untreated stormwater away from the river. The investment in diversion will help bring Spokane into compliance with the federal Clean Water Act.

The Spokane City Council will be asked to approve the winning construction bid.

Construction of the initial Hazel’s Creek Regional Drainage and Conservation Area dates back about six years. The facility collects and disposes of stormwater through infiltration into the ground using the Hazel’s Creek sub-basin of the Glenrose watershed.