Town to relocate undersized storm pipe under future playground to avoid future flooding

Mooresville staff told the Board the park project will require relocation and upsizing of a stormwater pipe that currently runs under the future playground area.

A staff presenter said the pipe was identified during design and is undersized for peak flows; consultants and staff recommended upsizing the pipe and, where necessary, replacing the pipe across the road so the system can handle storm events once the park and playground are completed. The presenters said this is not expected to trigger additional regulatory permitting and that the design is being coordinated so the pipe work will not delay the park schedule.

Why it matters: the change addresses a known vulnerability in the drainage system that could cause localized flooding if left unaddressed once the park is built and the playground is open.

Details - Background: The recreation project had been managed by John Simoniac, who is no longer with the town; staff said the relocation was part of design coordination and is consistent with recommendations from the design consultant and adjacent project teams. - Design approach: Staff said the pipe will be upsized and will include relocation across the road where necessary. The work will be coordinated with the playground and E‑Center project so the park construction schedule is not affected. - Funding and schedule: Staff said fund transfers were previously approved to support the project and that the town will sequence the pipe work to avoid delaying the playground if possible.

Quote - "And it is undersized and so it needs to be larger, which then means that the pipe across the road needs to be larger," a staff presenter said.

Ending Staff said they will continue to coordinate design and report back to the Board; if delays occur staff will develop a plan to keep the playground schedule on track.