NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC NY) hosted their 51st annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on April 7, 2018 at the Hilton Midtown in New York City.
Awards were presented to projects that encompass both the public and private sector in the following categories: studies, research, and consulting services; building/technology systems; structural systems; surveying and mapping technology; environmental; waste and storm water; water resources; transportation; energy; industrial and manufacturing processes and facilities; and special projects. Submitted projects are judged on rigorous set of criteria including complexity, innovation, and value to society. The projects are then granted either a Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond Award.
H2M architects + engineers (H2M) submitted a total of eight projects this year and proudly received a Platinum Award for their Brookdale Avenue Drainage Improvement project in New Rochelle, New York.
Originally, a small stream meandered through the residential neighborhoods of Halcyon Park in the City of New Rochelle, which drained a tributary area in excess of 2,000 acres. As the community developed over the years, numerous small drainage systems were constructed in the Halcyon Park area that discharged into the stream. Over time, the drainage systems were modified and extended, roads were constructed, and the stream was covered as part of the development of the neighborhood. This resulted in a complex network of drainage pipes that were pieced together and caused flooding from even the most modest rainfall events.
H2M was brought in to completely replace the existing pipe network design. The current drainage system alignment was intricate, so the project was designed in very small phases. The engineers had to be very intuitive when it came to understanding the unconventional drainage system that was in place, and creating a solution to effectively maintain the base flow in the existing pipes throughout construction.
The implementation of this drainage system eliminated the frequent flooding for residents of the Halcyon Park community. In addition, this project now provides the City of New Rochelle with documented records of the new drainage system design, providing civil engineers a reference if needed for future improvements or extensions to the drainage system. Upon completion of this project, the City no longer is burdened with the debris clean up after heavy rainfall events, nor are the residents overwhelmed with storm debris clean up and financial impacts due to flood damage on their property.
H2M is honored to have attended such a distinguished event and to have been recognized with such a prestigious award.