emc project no.: 18-2019 may 21, 2018creekonthebluemile.com/images/feasibility-study.pdf ·...

FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR

CREEK ON THE BLUE MILE

STATESBORO, BULLOCH COUNTY, GEORGIA

PREPARED FOR:

BLUE MILE FOUNDATION &

DOWNTOWN STATESBORO DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 102 SOUTH MAIN STREET

STATESBORO, GEORGIA 30458

EMC PROJECT NO.: 18-2019

MAY 21, 2018

ENVIRONMENTAL MARINE CIVIL SURVEY

1211 Merchant Way, Suite 201 Statesboro, GA 30458 (912) 764-7022 (912) 764-2884-f www.emc-eng.com

Albany Atlanta Augusta Brunswick Columbus Savannah Statesboro Valdosta

Feasibil ity Study Table of Contents Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Project Overview ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Existing Conditions ........................................................................................................................................ 4

Project Area............................................................................................................................................... 4 Little Lotts Creek ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Little Lotts Creek Cross Section ................................................................................................................. 6 Little Lotts Creek Roadway Crossings ....................................................................................................... 7

South College Street Crossing ............................................................................................................... 7 Norfolk Southern Railway Crossing ....................................................................................................... 8 South Main Street (US Hwy 301) Crossing ............................................................................................ 9 Fair Road (State Hwy 67) Crossing ...................................................................................................... 10 Zetterower Avenue Crossing ............................................................................................................... 11

Flood Concerns ........................................................................................................................................ 12 Technical Considerations ............................................................................................................................ 13

Modification of Little Lotts Creek ........................................................................................................... 13 Reservoir/Regional Detention Pond ....................................................................................................... 14 Existing Utilities ....................................................................................................................................... 15 Roadway Crossings .................................................................................................................................. 15 Flood Plain ............................................................................................................................................... 17

Permitting Requirements ............................................................................................................................ 18 Project Construction Results ....................................................................................................................... 20

Recreational Reservoir / Regional Stormwater Detention ..................................................................... 20 South College Street Crossing ................................................................................................................. 22 Norfolk Southern Railroad Crossing ........................................................................................................ 22 Between South College and South Main ................................................................................................ 23 South Main Street Crossing and Blue Mile Streetscape Connectivity .................................................... 24 Between South Main and Fair Road ....................................................................................................... 25 Fair Road Crossing ................................................................................................................................... 26 Between Fair Road and Zetterower Avenue ........................................................................................... 27 Zetterower Avenue Crossing and Outfall ................................................................................................ 28

Schedule ...................................................................................................................................................... 29 Findings and Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 30

Feasibil ity Study Page | 1 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Creek on the Blue Mile is best described as a revitalization project within a portion of Downtown

Statesboro. The project will involve creating a recreational reservoir and creek side pedestrian

promenade which will provide unique residential, commercial, cultural and recreational opportunities,

while enhancing the quality of life for the community.

Goals of the project include addressing and mitigating current flooding concerns within this portion of

the City, provide a regional stormwater detention facility, create developable land to be utilized for

commercial, residential and community use, and to reinforce the ongoing revitalization effort within the

area.

Technical considerations shall be identified and solved in the early stages of the project to determine

the physical goals of the project can actually be met. These considerations include physical,

environmental concerns relating to wetland mitigation and permitting requirements in relation to the

modification of Little Lotts Creek, construction of a regional detention pond, solving potential utility

conflicts, modifying roadway crossings, and addressing flood plain issues.

Once all technical considerations have been addressed, land is acquired, construction plans and

specifications are developed, permits for construction are obtained from the authorities having

jurisdiction, a contractor will be selected and the project can be constructed as envisioned. The end

result of the project will feature a recreational reservoir located west of South College Street with

various amenities, a pedestrian promenade along Little Lotts Creek between South College Street and

Zetterower Avenue with commercial, residential and community uses. The project will also feature a

reconfigured City park between Fair Road and Zetterower Avenue including recreation, entertainment,

educational and aesthetic features.

Although the Creek on the Blue Mile project has many potential obstacles, it has even greater

opportunities and end benefits. Thorough planning and design efforts are paramount to the success of

this project. Based on the information obtained from the various resources cited and the information

presented herein; EMC Engineering Services, Inc. recommends the continuation of this project.


PROJECT OVERVIEW

On February 25, 2018 the Blue Mile Foundation and Downtown Statesboro Development Authority

partnered with EMC Engineering Services, Inc. to begin a feasibility study to redevelop a portion of Little

Lotts Creek within Downtown Statesboro into an urban, pedestrian-oriented green-way.

Due to the project’s proximity and connectivity with the Statesboro Blue Mile, this project was

affectionately named “The Creek on the Blue Mile”. The Statesboro Blue Mile is a grass-roots

revitalization effort aimed to upgrade and enhance the South Main Street corridor, and encourage

commercial and residential redevelopment into a pedestrian friendly, mixed-use area. Earning national

recognition by placing second in the Country through the America’s Best Communities completion; the

Blue Mile project has begun a revitalization drive within the community. The Creek on the Blue Mile

supports this initiative.

The mission of the Creek on the Blue Mile project is to modify the existing flood plain that exists along

little lots creek tributary in order to create a creek-side park through Downtown Statesboro, which

provides unique residential, commercial, cultural and recreational opportunities, while enhancing the

quality of life for the community. This mission serves to accomplish the following specific goals of the

project:

Reduce localized flooding impacts from major storm events to the surrounding properties

Create developable/usable land located outside the flood plain to reduce insurance and other

costs to developers/users

Provide stormwater detention storage for a portion of the City drainage basin

Attract new private development interests to support the continued growth of the downtown

area

Create a safe pedestrian corridor with connectivity to other existing pedestrian corridors such as

the Blind Willie McTell Trail, and Blue Mile Streetscape Phase I (currently in the design portion of

the project)

Integrate Little Lotts Creek into the community to ensure preservation and enhancement of

Statesboro’s natural attributes

Reinforce Statesboro’s image as a visually attractive City

Stimulate choices for compatible development of new land uses

This project envisions revitalizing approximately 36-acres within the downtown Statesboro area. The

project also aims to provide connectivity with the Georgia Southern University campus. Georgia

Southern University is the State’s largest and most comprehensive center of higher education south of

Atlanta and serves more than 27,000 students. Successful implementation of this project will attract not

only local residents and college students, but will also drive those located within the county and region

due to the unique atmosphere that will be created, none of which currently exist within the area.

The project is best described as a rehabilitation of one of the major storm water drainage canals that is

maintained by City. The beginning of project corridor is west of S. College Street and the terminus is


east of Zetterower Avenue along the alignment of the existing canal. The primary objective of the

project is to reduce the impacts of major storm events that impact the project corridor with localized

flooding. The results of the primary objective will present a secondary result; the development of a

creek side park. The Creek at the Blue Mile will be unique in Southeast Georgia and will provide direct

connectivity to Downtown Statesboro and Georgia Southern University via its connectivity with the Blue

Mile Streetscape project.


EXISTING CONDITIONS

PROJECT AREA

The project encompasses the area adjacent to Little Lotts Creek, between South College Street and

Zetterower Avenue, in Statesboro Bulloch County Georgia. Properties within the project corridor consist

of various usage types such as commercial, residential, and undeveloped properties. The project

corridor crosses several thoroughfares including South College Street, Norfolk Southern Railroad, South

Main Street (US Hwy 301), Fair Road (State Hwy 67) and Zetterower Avenue.

Figure 1: Project Area Highlighted in Red (Approximately 36-Acres)


LITTLE LOTTS CREEK

Little Lotts Creek is a stream that collects storm water from a major portion of the City of Statesboro

water shed area, and conveys it south and into Lotts Creek. According to the United States Geological

Survey (USGS), Little Lotts Creek begins at the outfall of an un-named pond located along Miller Street

on the northwestern side of the City (immediately west of Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home). The creek

flows southeastward toward downtown and turns south after crossing under West Main Street. The

creek joins with an un-named tributary and then turns southeastward again at the western most portion

of the project area and runs along a City utility easement. From here the creek flows eastward through

the project area, crossing under South College Street, the Norfolk Southern railway, South Main Street,

Fair Road and Zetterower Avenue. After leaving the project area the creek continues to flow southeast

toward Veterans Memorial Parkway and then turns southward and flows into Bird Bond. From here the

creek conveys water south and eventually discharges into Lotts Creek.

Little Lotts Creek is considered a State Water and is under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of

Engineers. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division also requires a 25-ft stream buffer along the

waterway. The section of Little Lotts Creek between South Main Street (US Hwy 301) and Fair Road

(State Hwy 67) is armored (concrete-lined); therefore there is no 25-ft stream buffer requirement in this

area.

Figure 2: USGS Map - Creek through Project Area Highlighted in Red


LITTLE LOTTS CREEK CROSS SECTION

Little Lotts Creek top of bank within the project corridor ranges in width from approximately 24 feet to

45 feet; with an average water width range of 5 feet to 15 feet. The concrete-lined portion of the creek

consists of a bank width of approximately 24 feet, 2.5:1 side slopes, and a 6 foot to 12 foot wide flat

bottom. The longitudinal slope of the creek within the project area varies but is an average of 0.20

percent from the beginning of the project at South College Street to the project terminus at Zetterower

Avenue. The images below represent two cross sections of the existing creek. The first image is a

representation of the creek at a cross section taken between the Midtown Market detention pond

(parcel owned by Mid-Town Holdings, LLC), and the residential property currently owned by Joseph

Robert Charron. The second image is a representation of the creek at a cross section taken between the

RJ’s Grill parking lot (parcel owned by Underwood Stacy, LLC) and the vacant commercial lot (parcel

owned by Marybeth Wildes Sapp).

Figure 3: Little Lotts Creek Existing Cross Sections


LITTLE LOTTS CREEK ROADWAY CROSSINGS

Little Lotts Creek crosses five (5) roadways within the limits of the project area. These crossings are

described as follows:

SOUTH COLLEGE STREET CROSSING

Little Lotts Creek crosses South College Street via an 80-in and a 72-in reinforced concrete pipe. These

pipes are owned and maintained by the City of Statesboro. These culverts are inspected every three

years. The last inspection was 2017. The City of Statesboro Stormwater Division advises that there is

scheduled work to install a headwall on the upstream end of the culvert. There are no structural defects.

The pipe culvert condition is satisfactory. There are no scheduled plans to replace the structures.

Figure 4: Upstream Side of South College Street Culvert Crossing


NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILWAY CROSSING

Little Lotts Creek crosses the Norfolk Southern Railroad via two 6-ft x 6-ft vaulted box culverts. These

culverts are owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad and leased to and maintained by Georgia Southern

Railroad. The southern culvert barrel is elevated higher than the northern barrel. According to

representatives at Georgia Southern Railroad this are no scheduled plans to replace the culverts.

Figure 5: Upstream Side of Railroad Crossing


SOUTH MAIN STREET (US HWY 301) CROSSING

Little Lotts Creek crosses South Main Street via five (5) 72-in box culverts. These culverts are owned and

maintained by the Georgia Department of Transportation. These culverts are considered bridge culverts

and are inspected every two years. The last inspection was on April 11, 2018. This culvert was

constructed in 1934. The current condition of this culvert is satisfactory. There are no scheduled plans to

replace of this culvert.

Figure 6: Upstream Side of South Main Crossing


FAIR ROAD (STATE HWY 67) CROSSING

Little Lotts Creek crosses Fair Road via three (3) 96-in box culverts. These culverts are owned and

maintained by the Georgia Department of Transportation. These culverts are considered bridge culverts

and are inspected every two years. The last inspection was performed on March 21, 2018. This culvert

was constructed in 1935 and reconstructed in 1946. The current condition of this culvert is satisfactory.

There are no scheduled plans to replace of this culvert.

Figure 7: Upstream Side of Fair Road Crossing


ZETTEROWER AVENUE CROSSING

Little Lotts Creek crosses Zetterower Avenue via three (3) 9-ft box culverts. These culverts are owned

and maintained by the City of Statesboro. These culverts are inspected every three years. The last

inspection was 2017. There is no major maintenance scheduled for this culvert. This culvert is in

satisfactory condition. There are no structural defects. There are no scheduled plans to replace this

culvert.

Figure 8: Upstream Side of Zetterower Avenue Crossing


FLOOD CONCERNS

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps, portions of the

project area are located within flood zones. Flood zone information has been referenced from FEMA

Map 13031C0208D (effective 08/05/10), 13031C0209D (effective 05/05/10), 13031C0216D (effective

08/05/10), and 13031C0217D (effective 08/05/10). FEMA Zones found within the project area are

defined as follows:

Zone X (unshaded on map): Areas with minimal flood hazards.

Zone A (shaded brown on map): Areas located within the 100-year flood zone (1-percent-

annual-chance-flood) with flood elevations not determined.

Zone AE (shaded blue on map): Areas located within the 100-year flood zone (1-percent-annual-

chance-flood) with a known flood elevation determined.

Floodway (shaded red/blue stripes on map): Channel of a watercourse and the adjacent land

areas that are reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the

water surface elevation more than a designated height. Development within this area shall be

regulated to insure there are no increases in upstream flood elevations.

Portions of the project area located west of South College Street are located in Flood Zone AE and Flood

Zone A. Portions of the remainder of the project area are located in a Floodway, Flood Zone AE and

Flood Zone A.

Figure 9: FEMA Flood Map

Properties located along Little Lotts Creek within the project area have a history of flooding. The City of

Statesboro has recognized flooding concerns in and around Little Lotts Creek and has included the

concern within the City’s masterplan to correct in the future.


TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

In order to adequately identify potential project restraints and technical considerations, several sources

were included during the preliminary assessment of this study. These sources include the City of

Statesboro, Georgia Department of Transportation, Resources and Land Consultants (Environmental

Engineer Consultant), and EMC Engineering Services (Civil Engineer Consultant). The results of

preliminary meetings and finding are presented below, broken out over each component of the project.

Figure 10: Proposed Reservoir and Creek Route

MODIFICATION OF LITTLE LOTTS CREEK

A portion of Little Lotts Creek shall be modified to meet the goals of this project, including removing

adjacent creek properties from the flood plain, and creating a park-like pedestrian corridor with

commercial and residential spaces along the creek channel. Creek modifications to achieve these goals

will include 1) the diversion of the creek into a reservoir/regional detention pond west of South College

Street, 2) rerouting the creek along a portion of the project corridor to provide more usable area for

commercial development, 3) modifying a portion of the creek from a natural channel slope to a

decorative concrete/masonry wall with river rock/gravel bottom, and 4) lowering the bottom elevation

of the creek to provide more stormwater storage, a greater elevation difference between the creek and

proposed commercial development, and also allowing the creek to detain water for visual appearances.

These proposed changes must be carefully analyzed and planned through a Drainage Study. The Study

will take into consideration stormwater flows entering the creek, required storage capacity within the

creek, water elevations during flooding events, longitudinal creek slope modifications, and the elevation

of the existing water table as it relates to modifying the bottom of the creek bed. Creek channel design

must be studied and designed in conjunction with the regional detention pond to provide one

hydrological system.


Figure 11: Typical Retail/Residential Section Rendering

RESERVOIR/REGIONAL DETENTION POND

The undeveloped land located west of South College Street is proposed to house a recreational

reservoir, which will also serve as a regional stormwater detention facility. This 165-acre parcel consists

of wetlands, woodlands and cleared lands currently utilized for agricultural purposes. This parcel is the

ideal location for the reservoir/regional detention facility as it is undeveloped, located directly adjacent

to Little Lotts Creek and is located up gradient from the Creek on the Blue Mile corridor.

The reservoir shall serve to perform three functions necessary for the project: 1) provide the necessary

stormwater storage to mitigate the size of the downstream flood plain, 2) provide a source of water to

continuously supply The Creek on the Blue Mile corridor through times of low rainfall, and 3) provide an

urban recreational area for the City. To accomplish these tasks, a drainage study must be conducted.

The study will analyze the entire drainage basin located up gradient from the terminus of the project at

Zetterower Avenue. Existing GIS information, as well as survey data shall be utilized to create

stormwater models to calculate stormwater flows within the watershed, the needed storage volume

and the appropriate outfall controls. This information will be utilized to determine the ideal location

and required size/dimensions of the reservoir.

Wetlands are located along the eastern border of the property, within the proposed area of the

reservoir. Wetland areas are regulated by the US Army Corps of Engineers and special permitting is

required to disturb these natural habitats. As wetland permitting and mitigation requirements have

significant cost and time factors, there are two possible options in constructing a reservoir within this

wetland area. Option 01 is to mitigate and remove all wetland areas within the reservoir, creating an

open reservoir. This option would produce the smallest possible reservoir footprint as more per-foot


vertical storage can be achieved within the reservoir area by excavation of the wetlands and other

areas. However mitigation and permitting time and costs could be significant. Option 02 is to retain as

much wetland area as possible. This option would involve building an earthen dam around the eastern

border of the wetland area and excavating a portion of the uplands located west of the wetlands to

provide the needed storage. Option 02 would create a partially open/partially wetland/wooded

reservoir. If this option is chosen, the wetlands would create a unique natural environment within the

reservoir area, where raised pathways could be built within the wetlands and utilized for

recreational/educational purposes. The footprint of the reservoir would most likely be larger utilizing

Option 02 than Option 01 as less per-foot vertical storage would be available with Option 02.

The reservoirs outfall control structure would ensure stormwater released during a major storm event

would not cause flooding to any of the adjacent properties, but must also release enough water during

times of drought to ensure the creek retains water. This structure will most likely have a mechanical

control device to ensure these dual functions will be achieved. The drainage study and hydrologic

design would determine the minimum required size of the reservoir, outfall structure type, elevations

and release mechanisms.

The goals of the project cannot be met without the construction of this detention facility, therefore

property acquisition of the land needed to house the reservoir is paramount. Project planners and

developers should ascertain if this area can be acquired prior to the project proceeding any further.

EXISTING UTILITIES

Various utilities currently cross Little Lotts Creek within the project corridor. Since the creek bed

elevation is proposed to be lowered, there is the potential of utility conflicts. Utilities such as water,

communication, gas, sanitary force main, etc. can be easily modified with modifications to the creek

bed. Existing gravity sewer located along the main roadways may conflict with the proposed lowered

creek bed elevation. These conflicts will be identified and alleviated through survey and design during

the project design stage. Options include utilizing pump stations or lowering existing gravity runs, if

possible.

ROADWAY CROSSINGS

The pedestrian corridor is proposed to cross five (5) roadways as described in the sections above. The

desirable crossing path shall be below roadway travel lanes to keep pedestrian traffic from interacting

with vehicular traffic as much as possible. To provide pedestrian access under these roadways, all

crossings shall be improved to allow for at least 8-ft of vertical height for pedestrians. Several crossing

options are available for achieve the desired crossing type. The intersecting roadway height can be

increased and cross Little Lotts Creek by either a standard spanning concrete beam bridge (shown in the

example below), via large culverts, or a combination of both. Technical considerations for these

crossings include allowing at least 8-ft in height for pedestrian access under a bridge, impacts to

adjacent properties access located along the raised portion of roadways, costs of the bridge as it relates

to bridge type, and permitting implementation.


Figure 12: Example of Pedestrian Crossing under a Roadway

Two of the roadway crossings are roadways owned and maintained by the Georgia Department of

Transportation (US Hwy 301 and State Hwy 67). The design and construction of crossings along these

two roadways shall be coordinated and permitted through the GDOT Bridge Design and Maintenance

Office. GDOT requires all pedestrian walkways under a bridge to be above the 50-year flood elevation.

One of the roadway crossings is a short line railroad track, immediately east of South College Street,

owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad and leased to and maintained by Georgia Southern Railroad. No

vertical changes to the track are proposed; however the design and construction of the crossing shall be

coordinated and permitted through Norfolk Southern.


FLOOD PLAIN

Part of the overall project will be to address the flooding within the project area along Little Lotts Creek.

Alleviating the flooding in the project area will provide opportunities for redevelopment of the area.

Improvements to the creek and tributary channels as well as culverts under road and railroad crossings

will be needed to alleviate the flooding. In the 2013 Drainage Inventory that was performed for the City

of Statesboro, several infrastructure projects within the Creek on the Blue Mile project area have been

identified. The projects include project 6 (S. College Street Infrastructure), 14 (Brannen Street at Lotts

Creek Tributary), and 48 (South College Street Drainage Canal).

Other improvements will include the construction of a 21 acre pond in an existing low area to the west

of South College Street adjacent to Little Lotts Creek. The pond would be utilized to regulate

stormwater flows from Little Lotts Creek upstream of the project area. Another project that will need to

be investigated further due to the implementation of improvements upstream is project 53 (Gentilly

Canal Regional Detention) in the 2013 City of Statesboro drainage inventory.

The flood control portion of the project that would consist of improvements to Little Lotts Creek and its

tributaries is feasible. A drainage study which will require modeling of the creek and its tributaries will

be needed in order to determine the specific details of the required improvements. The flood control

project would need to be implemented first prior to construction of the linear trail and other

redevelopment in the project area. Other items that will be required for the flood control project

include:

Preparation of construction plans and contract documents for the proposed improvements.

Analysis of impacts along Little Lotts Creek downstream of the project area to verify that there

will be no adverse impacts to properties if upstream drainage improvements are made.

Obtain a Letter of Map Revision from FEMA to revise the Flood Insurance Rate Maps upon

implementation of the new drainage improvements.

Wetland delineations.

Obtain permitting from the Army Corps of Engineers which will require an individual permit to

improve the creek and tributaries.

Obtain a Buffer Variance from Georgia EPD to improve the creek and tributaries.

Obtain permitting from the railroad to install new drainage infrastructure at rail crossings.

Design and permit the dam for the 21 acre pond in accordance with the Georgia Safe Dams Act.

Obtain permitting from GDOT to install new drainage infrastructure at state route road

crossings.


PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS

The project area described is under the jurisdiction of the following regulatory authorities.

City of Statesboro: All work shall be permitted through the City of Statesboro through the City’s

formal review and approval processes. The City of Statesboro Engineering Department shall be

directly involved in any design and modifications to Little Lotts Creek and in the creation of a

regional detention pond. Permitting of the commercial portion of the project shall follow the

City’s review process including a Right Start Meeting, submittals of Construction Documents and

Permit Applications, revisions/negotiations/correspondence, and approvals through a process

that typically takes 40-days.

Federal Emergency Management: In order to remove a portion of the project area out of the

FEMA Flood Zone (remove the need for flood insurance), a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR)

would need to be prepared and submitted to FEMA. This consists of modeling the as-built

drainage improvements and presenting the as-built water levels in the creek, compared to the

water levels under the pre-developed condition to FEMA. Upon FEMA review, a letter would be

issued indicating that the flood maps will be revised to show changes to the flood plain,

floodways, or flood elevations. This work requires completion of FEMA document Mt-2 with the

required supporting documentation (model results, etc.). To expedite this process, a

Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) can be prepared once the initial modeling has been

completed. Upon FEMA review, a letter would be issued indicating if the project is built as

proposed, it would meet minimum NFIP standards. This type of map revision would also require

the completion of a FEMA Document Mt-2.

Georgia Department of Transportation: All work within the Georgia DOT Right-Of-Way (US Hwy

301 and State Hwy 67) shall be permitted through the DOT. Any modifications to crossing

structures shall be coordinated and permitted through the Bridge Design and Maintenance

Office. Any other work conducted within the Right-Of-Way shall be permitted with Right of Way

Encroachment Permit.

Georgia Environmental Protection Division: All work located within the 25-ft stream buffer must

be permitted through the Georgia EPD via a Stream Buffer Variance. Permitting will include the

submittal of a Buffer Variance Application with Exhibits, revisions/negotiations/correspondence,

and approvals. The EPD has a 60-day window to either provide written comments or issue a

variance once the complete buffer variance application has been submitted. Upon the issuing of

a variance, the public shall be notified of the proposed buffer disturbance and shall have 30 days

from the date of publication to comment on the proposed buffer disturbance. After that period

the variance will be issued and work may begin. Approved buffer impacts shall be completed

within five years of the date issued. The cost of buffer impacts is currently $350 per linear foot

of stream impact.

Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission: A Erosion Sedimentation and Pollution

Control Plan shall be created and permitted through GSWCC for any land disturbance greater

than 1.0-acres. The permitting process includes the creation of a 3-Phase Erosion

Sedimentation and Pollution Control Plan in accordance with the Manual for Erosion and


Sediment Control in Georgia (2016 Edition), and submission to GSWCC and the Local Issuing

Authority for review and final acceptance of the plan.

Norfolk Southern Railroad: Any work conducted within the Norfolk Southern Right-Of-Way,

and/or any modifications to any structures owned by Norfolk Southern shall be permitted

through the railroad’s Industrial Development office.

United States Army Corps of Engineers: Any impacts to wetlands or State Waters shall be

permitted through the USACE. This includes Wetland Jurisdictional Determination and an

Individual Permit. The proposed relocation and improvements to Little Lotts Creek is a standard

permitting process estimated to take between 12 to 18-months. The permitting of a

reservoir/regional stormwater detention basin will most likely be a more-involved process due

to the size and potential wetland impacts. The permitting process will involve demonstrating

the need for regional detention, consideration of alternative sites that could satisfy stormwater

needs and require fewer impacts, and minimize impacts to the greatest extent practical. A full

watershed assessment shall also be conducted and submitted to the USACE. The permitting

process for this shall take at least 18-months.


PROJECT CONSTRUCTION RESULTS

Upon meeting all the goals and restrictions described above, the Creek on the Blue Mile shall have the

following physical outcomes.

Figure 13: Overall Conceptual Plan

RECREATIONAL RESERVOIR / REGIONAL STORMWATER DETENTION

The recreational reservoir will be located adjacent to the western end of the pedestrian promenade and

provide a permanent water source for the enhanced creek. It is intended to have a natural look and will

be informal in shape conforming to the natural contours of the land. A public picnic area will be

provided with limited parking, a shelter, tables, and a fishing pier. It is envisioned that non-motorized

boats will be allowed in the reservoir for fishing and recreational use. A perimeter multipurpose trail

will encircle the reservoir that will include benches and reservoir overlooks. The entire site will be

enhanced with a variety of native plantings and as much of the surrounding woodlands and vegetation

will be preserved as possible.


Figure 14: Recreational Reservoir / Stormwater Detention Plan Rendering


SOUTH COLLEGE STREET CROSSING

The pedestrian promenade will begin just to the west of S College Street. At this location the existing

creek will cascade over a decorative waterfall approximately 5ft down to the level of the newly

enhanced creek. A decorative and welcoming pedestrian entry will include an accessible ramp that will

allow visitors to safely transcend to the lower level while experiencing the sight and sound of the

waterfall. The existing pair of storm pipes beneath the street will be replaced with a large enhanced

culvert that will be wide enough to accommodate the 18ft wide creek channel and a 10ft pedestrian

walkway along the north side. The new culvert will provide 8ft of clearance height for pedestrians.

NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILROAD CROSSING

The enhanced creek and walkway will continue east beneath the railroad through another enlarged

culvert. It is planned that one of the 2 existing culverts will be retained and provide a tunnel like feature

for children (and adults) to explore. At the outfall of the crossing the will be a deck over the creek that

will allow for pedestrians to access both sides of the promenade. An access ramp will also be provided

up to S College Street for neighborhood connectivity.

Figure 15: Norfolk Southern Railroad Crossing Rendering


BETWEEN SOUTH COLLEGE AND SOUTH MAIN

This area of the promenade will be approximately 550 feet in length and will feature a mix of residential,

new and existing commercial retail buildings, and a refurbished boutique hotel with a conference center

addition. A landscaped open space centrally located will provide a focal point for pedestrians to enjoy.

It will include a small plaza with seating beneath a shade arbor that steps down to a widened creek area

with a decorative fountain and pedestrian crossings.

Figure 16: Promenade between South College and South Main Plan Rendering


Figure 17: Plaza between South College and South Main Rendering

SOUTH MAIN STREET CROSSING AND BLUE MILE STREETSCAPE CONNECTIVITY

The promenade and creek will continue beneath South Main Street through another enhanced culvert.

Sidewalks along the creek front retail buildings will connect with those along the Blue Mile. This will

allow for pedestrians to also use the new at-grade crossing at this location provided by the Blue Mile

Streetscape project. The road will be elevated approximately 2 feet at this location.


BETWEEN SOUTH MAIN AND FAIR ROAD

This area of the promenade will be approximately 400 feet in length and will feature a new mixed-use

retail shopping area. A mix of retail and restaurants will occur primarily on the bottom level with

residential living above. The promenade will feature many outdoor sitting areas, shade trees, fountain

features, aquatic plants, lighting, and other amenities. An extension of the promenade at grade will

provide pedestrian access to parking areas and other commercial properties to the south. A driveway

and parking will also be provided on the north side of this section that will connect S Main Street with

Fair Road.

Figure 18: Promenade between South Main and Fair Plan Rendering


Figure 19: Typical Retail/Residential Section Rendering

FAIR ROAD CROSSING

The re-aligned creek and pedestrian walkway will continue beneath Fair Road though an enhanced

culvert. Ramps will be provided to allow pedestrian access from the street down to the promenade.

The road crossing at this location will be raised approximately 3.5 feet.


BETWEEN FAIR ROAD AND ZETTEROWER AVENUE

This large open space will consist of public enhancements to include recreation, entertainment,

educational, and aesthetic features. The northern end will include the existing recreation department

offices, a refurbished playground, a pavilion with restrooms, and a large amphitheater. The stage and

support building will be located on a landscape island formed by the creek and promenade. The central

portion of the site includes a parking lot with optional parking deck off of Fair Road and an open air

farmers market with access from Zetterower Avenue. The southern end of the park consists of an

interactive fountain/ smaller gathering area, a demonstration garden, an arboretum, and a major entry

gateway feature. The gateway includes a potential elevated walkway connecting to the campus of

Georgia Southern University.

Figure 20: Park between Fair Road and Zetterower Avenue Rendering


ZETTEROWER AVENUE CROSSING AND OUTFALL

The pedestrian promenade will terminate at Zetterower Avenue, but will provided connectivity to

existing sidewalks or walkways. The Zetterower Avenue drainage culverts will be deepened and

modified to accommodate the new creek elevation. Creek improvements, including

widening/deepening will continue eastward behind College Plaza Shopping Center and end at South East

Wood Products. A multi-level weir will regulate the outfall of the creek back to natural grade. The weir

will have the ability to lower the creek level by as much as 2 feet in advance of a major rain event.


SCHEDULE

Project Phase Work Type Description Time

Pre-Design Drainage Study Limited topographic survey of key points within the drainage study area. Hydrology/Hydraulic study of the affected drainage basin.

4-months

Topographic Survey

Topographic and boundary survey of the reservoir area and project corridor adequate to prepare construction documents

1-month

Design Development

Site Engineering Preparation of construction documents for the construction of a reservoir and project corridor

4-months

Permitting City of Statesboro FEMA LOMA Ga EPD GSWCC USACE

Submittals, correspondence / revisions / negotiations with regulatory authorities adequate to approve construction documents

18-months

Construction Bidding Bidding and negotiations with contractor

2-months

Site Work Construction of all proposed work on construction documents

12-months


FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The Creek on the Blue Mile is a major revitalization project. The project has many potential obstacles,

but even greater opportunities and end benefits. Thorough planning and design efforts are paramount

to the success of this project.

The recommended next steps are listed as follows:

Preparation of an Opinion of Probable Costs for the land acquisition, hydrologic/hydraulic study,

design, permitting, and proposed infrastructure improvements

Public affirmation of the project by elected officials and acceptance by the all stakeholders

Ensure property needed for this project can be secured for development into a

reservoir/regional detention facility

Conduct a hydrologic/hydraulic drainage study to ensure the goals of this project can physically

be achieved

Conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis

Prepare construction documents and specifications

Bid the project to ensure preliminary Opinions of Probable Costs are accurate

Award the contract to the lowest qualified contractor

Build the detention pond, bridges, creek alignment

Based on the information obtained from the various resources cited and the information presented

herein; EMC Engineering Services, Inc. recommends the continuation of this project.