Upcoming water projects are being announced throughout the country...but, there may be no state with more "waiting in the wings" than Texas. The state's' water needs are great and it appears that the Texas Legislature will allocate $2 billion from the state's Rainy Day Fund to encourage public-private partnerships for much-needed water projects.

However, water opportunities abound elsewhere as well. Some of the upcoming projects will be P3 engagements but some will not. Examples include:

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Officials already lining up projects to benefit from private sector expertise, funds

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin

Transportation officials in West Virginia are eagerly awaiting the signing of the state's public-private partnership law aimed at facilitating much-needed transportation projects. In fact, they probably won't even let the ink dry on Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's signature on the bill before ramping up their list of potential projects.

Tomblin was a sponsor of the bill, so awaiting his signature on it is just a formality.

The bill relates to public-private partnership (P3) funding to be used for transportation projects in the state. The state's previous P3 legislation was passed in 2006 and allowed for the design-build of up to three projects. But, that legislation had a sunset date of June 30 of this year. The new legislation, once signed, will extend that sunset date to June 30, 2017.

The bill also allows the use of funds from the State Road Fund to be used for projects of more than $20 million. And where in the past, proposed P3 projects had to have the approval of the state legislature, they now only have to provide notice to the legislature regarding upcoming P3 projects.

One of the advantages of public-private partnerships is that in most cases, they save money and are completed quicker than if the state were to participate in a traditional design-build project. In fact, state officials have determined that more than $18.6 million in construction costs have been saved by using P3s, with 63 months of construction time saved.

The legislation also gives the state's Department of Highways more wiggle room in negotiating the terms of an agreement with a private entity. It also allows for submission of both solicited and unsolicited proposals of greenfield and brownfield projects.

The new legislation will be tested on a 14.6-mile project on US Route 35 in Mason and Putnam counties. The four-lane highway is projected to cost $200 million. The success of that project could have an impact on other future P3 projects.

 Officials say sharing courtrooms could result in less need for new facilities

Bill Shuster

Nearly a dozen proposed courthouse construction and renovation projects valued by the Judicial Conference of the United States at $1.1 billion have been recommended for being halted, according to recommendations from the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The General Services Administration (GSA) courthouse projects were planned over the next five years.

The GAO estimates the cost would be closer to $3.2 billion, and thus officials are proposing stopping the construction of the facilities and instead is pushing for the sharing of courtrooms so the GSA could build smaller courthouses. In the meantime, reviews of cost and space needs could be assessed.

The courthouse projects originally recommended for 2014 include Mobile, Alabama; Nashville, Tennessee; Savannah, Georgia; and Norfolk, Virginia. Rep. Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania said it is important to save taxpayer dollars and thus every project must be necessary and justified. He said existing courthouses have excess space because the Judicial Conference has overestimated the number of judges.

GSA officials say they have already shifted the agency's focus to renovating old courthouses instead of building new ones.

University of Alabama-Birmingham gets $63M in projects approved

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is in line for approximately $63 million in construction projects recently approved by the Board of Trustees. Among the projects is the addition of a new 217,000-square-foot residence hall that carries a price tag of about $46 million. Another $7.7 million will be spent on patient rooms in the Women and Infants Center (WIC). Among other projects on the UAB campus approved by the board are: $2.3 million for "fit-up" of 3,000 square feet of the Wallace Tumor Institute's basement to be home to an imaging suite; $3.3 million to move the Department of Nuclear Medicine from the second to the seventh floor; and $4 million for a Student Health and Wellness Center consolidation.

Alabama school district looking to BRAC funds for capital projects

David Copeland

Facing $130 million in unfunded capital improvement projects, the Madison County (Alabama) School District is hoping that funds will be available from the Base Realignment and Closures Act (BRAC) to help fund those projects and expansions. Superintendent David Copeland said the school board is expecting to receive as much as $55.9 million in BRAC funds toward its five-year capital fund. Among the projects that would be funded are a new high school and the expansion of two elementary schools. Those additions could help the district eliminate nearly 50 portable classrooms that are being used throughout the district. However, the school district superintendent said there is also a possibility that the district will only receive $33.6 million. That would likely change the project priority list. "We have to operate transportation, kids have to have textbooks, we need more technology," said Copeland. The superintendent said the district's costs and operations continue to climb while funding continues to be cut. Officials are continuing to look for new revenue streams to meet the district's capital needs.

 

UT Dallas in line for $15 million in beautification plans, other expansions

A long-term plan to preserve assets at The University of Texas at Dallas was recently approved by the UT System Board of Regents. This second phase of enhancement projects is expected to begin during the 2014 school year and is aimed at improving the northern half of the campus. The projects also include renovation of main walkways and some outdoor space. Another $20 million is planned for a renovation project for the Callier Center for Communications Disorders and $33 million more will be spent for an addition to the Center for Brain Health. "These building projects will allow us to extend our research and training capabilities in brain sciences and audiology, two important areas in which UT Dallas has achieved national renown," said President David Daniel. Plans also include a new entrance to the campus because university officials see accessibility as a priority and want pedestrian pathways to be part of the enhancements.

 

Madeira Beach planning new city hall, public safety facilities

Travis Palladeno

Officials in Madeira Beach, Florida, are hopeful to construct a new city hall, fire station and recreational facility in the fall. City officials recently approved the project at a cost of approximately $9 million. Mayor Travis Palladeno said if the city keeps postponing the project, the costs will continue to climb. The project is expected to be done in two phases - phase one to include the city hall and fire station and phase two to include a new recreation building and ball fields. The new city hall will replace an aging facility rocked with roof and window leaks, mold, failing air conditioning and fire hazards. Low interest rates are even more reason to build now, say city officials, who also note that the new facilities will help improve property values and thus increase tax revenue. The city hall is planned to be 9,500 square feet, with a multi-purpose building of a little more than 8,000 square feet and a 7,900-square-foot fire station. Not only did city officials approve the two phases of construction, but they also authorized the city manager and city attorney to hire bond counsel and begin preparing documents for a 30-year bond. Construction could begin as early as September.

 

Colorado Springs seeking bids for city ambulance service

The city of Colorado Springs has issued a request for proposals for a provider for the city's own ambulance service. Officials are interested in vendors providing information relating to a variety of services that would bring in revenue for the city. A pre-proposal meeting is set in early May with deadline for proposals later in the month. Colorado Springs would like to begin its ambulance service by April of next year when the current countywide contract expires.

 

City in Illinois to use state dollars for road, rail station

State funding will be used by officials in Freeport, Illinois, to upgrade roads and build a rail station in the city. The funds are part of the state's 12-point, $6 billion capital plan. Officials say $5 million of the funds is headed toward the expansion of US 290 from Freeport to Galena. Another stretch of highway, from West Avenue through the city, will be resurfaced. And, $600,000 will be used to make a multi-modal station for trains and buses out of the old Raleigh Building.  

 

New Orleans airport planning new $650 million terminal

Mitch Landrieu

A new $650 million terminal is planned for the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The new addition will provide more modern, cost-efficient facilities that can help lower costs for airlines. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said that the project will be funded through self-generated airport funds and federal and state grants. Thus, funds planned for use on street lights and road repairs and other necessary services will not be used. The terminal would be located on the north side of the existing, more than 50-year-old terminal structure. When officials began studying the need for a new terminal, among the concerns at the old one was the need to replace the mechanical and electrical system. Officials looked at either the possibility of refurbishing the existing terminal, expanding the existing terminal or constructing a new one. The project is eventually expected to include a power plant and improved highway access that could make the final price tag closer to $826 million. Existing facilities might be used for commercial cargo and charter flight facilities and space for airport staff and federal agencies. 

 

New Jersey port plans to reissue call for bids for wharf work

The first round of bids for construction of the wharf for the Port of Paulsboro in New Jersey were all rejected. Now officials plan to issue a call for bids again later this summer. They are still hopeful that work can begin before the first quarter of 2016. Officials of the Gloucester County Improvement Authority (GCIA) are waiting to see what tenants the South Jersey Port Corp. attracts, hoping that the bids can be tailored to the tenants. The GCIA will turn over management of the port to the South Jersey Port Corp. once the project is completed. That is why the first bids were rejected, so they could better fit future tenants. The bids taken last September totaled more than $218 million for the wharf construction project, with the lowest bid $39.8 million. The other bids - for $82.5 million to $96 million - were above the authority's estimates of costs. Phase I of the project, with a cost of $174 million, includes the construction of two 40-foot ship berths, 100,000 square feet of warehouse space and an access road and bridge near I-295.

  

Bids being sought in Ohio city for traffic signal improvement project

A $7.2 million project that calls for the replacement or upgrade of 46 traffic signals in Solon, Ohio, is going out to bid. The federal government has approved the city going out for bids for the project. It will include replacement or upgrade of nearly four-dozen traffic signals, including along the city's main street, SOM Center Road. Some $1.44 million, or about 20 percent of the cost, will be paid by the city. The remainder will be paid for with state and federal funding. A central computer at city hall will access all traffic signals and improve traffic flow through the city. The construction costs are estimated at about $5.6 million.

 

County in New Mexico ready to move forward on expansion, renovation

Punkin Schlarb

A $4.3-million expansion and renovation of the district court facilities and the sheriff's office at the Lincoln County Courthouse in Carrizozo was narrowly approved Tuesday by the county commission. The commission was offered other options that included phasing the work or construction of a new district court complex next to the Lincoln County Detention Center in Carrizozo. During the discussion on the projects, Lincoln County Finance Director Punkin Schlarb told county officials that they did not have to make a decision on how much funding they would need. Some commissioners argued against the project while others noted they should go before the state legislature to explain their need for funding. Schlarb said the county still has time to work on its budget since the county is at the first of the new fiscal year. "If we can work out all the plans that we have, all the projects that we have, then we can make a better decision. I think that would be more beneficial to everyone," she said. While the county had $4 million for the project several years ago, it was pointed out those funds were instead needed for major infrastructure upgrades. 

 

Advisers in place to secure partner for Gary airport

Check out these recent awards: 

The city of New York and a group of development partners have instituted a two-phase design competition related to housing. The mixed-use, sustainable and storm-resilient housing facility is called For a Resilient Rockaway. The competition seeks architects, planners and other design professionals to propose housing solutions for the city's housing needs and provide long-term planning and development strategies in New York and other densely populated communities seaside.

The first phase includes seeking proposals for balancing the environmental and financial problems and submitting a site plan. The ultimate goal of the development will be to develop up to 2,300 new affordable houses, retail space, a leisure center and charter school. The finalists for the second phase will be named July 15 and the winning team announced on October 24.

Antonio Villaraigosa

In January, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) proposed a new design-build-finance-operate deal with the private sector. The project had previously been planned to be a public-private partnership, but in 2011, the state's model for P3s did not suit the project. And although there has been support from the federal government for the project, there has been opposition to a potential for tolling on the highway. 

The Sepulveda Pass will connect the San Fernando Valley and Westside L.A. The proposals also include a plan to connect a rapid bus transit and rail system. 

A new solar array that is part of a public-private partnership (P3) is expected to produce more than 2 million kWh of electricity each year. New York's Departments of Citywide Administrative Service and Environmental Protection have entered into a P3 that will result in the installation of solar arrays at city-owned facilities.

The arrays will be built on the roofs of four city buildings in Staten Island and the Bronx. The city will not be responsible for purchasing, owning, installing or maintaining the systems and can also purchase the electricity generated by the project. The arrays will total more than 1.85MW on the roofs and will be installed by a private energy services company. There is no upfront capital cost.

 Are you a government official who has moved into a new position or to a new agency? Did you recently retire? Were you recently named to an executive-level position at a state-supported college, university or community college? Have you secured a new job as superintendent of a public school? If so, we'd like to hear from you - and so would your friends and colleagues - for our "Where Are They Now" column. Just drop us a line at editor@spartnerships.com and let us know about your previous job and where you are now. This week we feature Claudia Keith. 

Claudia Keith

Claudia Keith earned her bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oregon and her master's in mass communications from California State University, Northridge. From 1989 to 1998, she worked as a senior public information specialist for South Coast Air Quality Management District in Diamond Bar, California. In that capacity, she was a member of the media and communications team for a world-leading environmental agency, leading media relations and serving as primary spokesperson to broadcast media regarding consumer issues and air quality forecasts. Keith then opened her own business, Keith Communications, where from 1998 to 2006, she had successful public relations and communications practice that offered services such as issues management, media relations, writing, special events and strategic communications. Clients included public and private sector organizations in higher education, financial services, transportation and environmental sectors. In 2006, Keith was named assistant vice chancellor, public affairs for the California State University Office of the Chancellor. There, she was a member of the executive management team and directed the activities of the public affairs office, including media relations, strategic communications, issues management, institutional messaging, social media, Web content, budget and departmental administration. Keith was recently chosen to serve the city of Palo Alto, California, as its first-ever chief communications officer.

 

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Gretchen Ritter (top left), a University of Texas at Austin vice provost for undergraduate education and faculty governance, will leave the university to serve as the first female dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University. Matthew Goldstein (top center), chancellor of the City University of New York since 1999, will step down this summer after leading the institution through a period of changes that brought record enrollments.The Prescott (Washington) School District has hired Walla Walla Public Schools' Garrison Middle School Assistant Principal Brett Cox (top right) to replace Superintendent Bill Jordan, who is retiring at the end of the school year. The city of Alamogordo has chosen Jim Stahle, who has 29 years of city experience, 10 of those years in Sahuarita, Arizona, as its new city manager. The Tuscaloosa (Alabama) County Board of Education has selected Elizabeth Swinford, who has served as superintendent of the Vicksburg Warren School District in Mississippi since 2010, as its new superintendent, replacing Dan Butler, who has held since former Superintendent Frank Costanzo retired last March. Eric T. Carpenter, former director of Public Works for the city of Doral, has been named Miami Beach director of Public Works. Dr. Julie Carter, who has led Minnetonka, Minnesota, as executive director of Technology, has announced her resignation, effective June 30, to accept a post with the BLE Group, where she will help other schools plan and implement educational technologies. Sugar Land, Texas, Assistant City Manager and former City Engineer Karen Glynn (middle right) will resign on April 26 to serve as city administrator for the City of Bunker Hill Village. Raleigh City Manager J. Russell Allen (middle center) has been fired from his job, after also having served in city government as city manager in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Margo Bennett (middle left), a University of California Police Department captain with more than 35 years of law enforcement experience that ranges from community policing work to expertise in investigating major crimes at the federal level, has been named UC Berkeley's new police chief. The city of Miami Beach has named Mariano V. Fernandez, who has worked for 35 years in the public and private sectors, most recently serving as building director/official for the City of Miami, as Miami Beach director of Building and Building Official. Mary Sue Coleman, the president of the University of Michigan since 2002, has announced that she will retire in July 2014, when her contract expires. The Ripon Area (Wisconsin) School  District Board of Education has selected Mary Whitrock (bottom left), current chief academic officer of the Green Bay Area School District, as its new superintendent of schools. Gov. John Hickenlooper has named Roger Werholtz (bottom center), a former Secretary of Corrections in Kansas, to serve as interim executive director of the Colorado Department of Corrections, while the state seeks a permanent replacement for slain prisons chief Tom Clements. Jeff Mikorski (bottom right), who has served as both an assistant city manager and as interim city managers, has been named city manager of the city of Morgantown, West Virginia. The Winchester, Kentucky, Board of Commissioners have hired Matt Belcher, former assistant city manager in Paris for three years before serving as the economic development director in Lincoln County, as the new city manager. Lester Lefton, president of Kent State University, has announced that he will retire next summer and the university has said a national search process for his successor will launch in the coming weeks. Patrick Vander Sanden has been chosen as the new city administrator for the city of Columbus, Wisconsin, and will start his new job on May 20.