Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Resilience topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council authorizes Jacobs contract for Elizabeth Brook daylighting, calling it a multi-year, multi-million-dollar priority
Summary
The council approved modification #2 to authorize Jacobs Engineering Group for engineering services on Elizabeth Brook daylighting and master planning, with the contract not to exceed $2,837,460. Staff described the project as complex, requiring coordination with DOT and private owners and likely needing state and federal grant funding for construction.
The Newport City Council approved a contract amendment to retain Jacobs Engineering Group to advance Elizabeth Brook daylighting and master planning work. The provision approved covers engineering services for drainage investigation, flooding analysis and associated planning, with a total project authority not to exceed $2,837,460.
Utilities staff explained the work is part of a larger multi-phased effort to address chronic flooding and complex hydrology in the Prescott Hall/Elizabeth Brook watershed. The full build-out and daylighting options previously cited in the record carry an estimated price tag well north of $60 million, staff said; this Jacobs contract funds essential engineering, field survey, environmental testing and public outreach work to position the project for larger construction grants.
Staff stressed the need for coordination with state Department of Transportation crossings, private property owners and potential federal/state grant partners. Councilors asked for clarity on timeline and scope; staff said phase-one construction documents could be ready in one to two years if bond or grant funding is available for construction.
Council approved the amendment and encouraged continued efforts to secure outside funding and public outreach to advance the resilience project.
