Green spaces and green infrastructure are being touted as ways to solve numerous municipal problems. Expect more attention to be focused on projects that fall into this category as this sweeping trend continues to build.

Cities, especially large ones, must deal with rapidly expanding populations and urban density that is on the upswing.

And, while there is little room for green space in most of America's cities, public officials are leading the efforts to integrate different types of functional green spaces, or green infrastructure, into public building and city plans. 

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PennDOT looking for private partner to finance, build, maintain infrastructure projects

After approval by the P3 Board in late September, work is continuing toward a public-private partnership in Pennsylvania that will lead to the replacement of hundreds of structurally deficient bridges. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recently hosted a forum to acquaint potential private-sector participants regarding the scope of the project and requirements for participation.

The Public and Private Partnerships Act signed in 2012 allows PennDOT and other transportation authorities and commissions to partner with the private sector for delivery, maintenance and financing of transportation-related projects.

Barry Schoch (pictured), PennDOT Secretary and chair of the P3 Board, said increased private participation in transportation and infrastructure projects is allowing the state to make the most of its dwindling transportation funding. "Bringing in a third party to help with this bridge project effectively uses the P3 law," he said, "but the project could have even more impact if the state had more dollars to invest." PennDOT is hoping the legislature will appropriate more transportation funding while it is in session, but would also like to have P3 partners as a revenue option.

The bridge project, dubbed the Rapid Bridge Replacement Project, would provide for similar design of between 200 and 300 bridges that need replacing in the state. They would all be replaced under one contract. The private-sector firm with whom the state would contract would be responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of the bridges. The bid winner also would be required to maintain the bridges for an undetermined number of years. Using the same basic design and construction would lead to cost savings when used on multiple bridges.

Seaport Council funds support variety of infrastructure improvements, supports jobs 

Coastal cities and towns that neighbor Boston have been awarded millions of dollars in grant funds to boost their economies. The $18 million in funds were awarded by the Seaport Advisory Council to support infrastructure improvements and to create jobs.

"We recognize and understand the importance of improved infrastructure in our seaport communities," said MassDOT Transportation Secretary Richard Davey (pictured). "The Council, in partnership with seaport communities, will help sustain the regional industries, support job creation and improve local economies up and down our coast." Davey also chairs the Council.

Details of plans for infrastructure improvements and economic growth were submitted and approved by the Council. Some of the projects approved include:

• $5.6 million to support the Blynman Canal and Stacey Blvd. Seawall Reconstruction Project in Gloucester;
• $4 million for ongoing improvements at the Blaney Street Wharf Project in Salem;
• $50,000 in funding for the Bass River Dredging Engineering Project in Beverly;
• $2 million to support the Union Wharf Rehabilitation Phase I Project in Fairhaven;
• $2.9 million for continuing improvements at the State Pier South Basin Improvements Phase 2 in Fall River; and
• $2 million to support the Oak Bluffs Public Access Improvement Phase 1 Project.

Millions of dollars' in contracting opportunities will result from referendums

Contracting opportunities will be plentiful for private-sector vendors following passage of $392 billion in bond issues through Texas on Nov. 5. There were 92 bond issues at stake totaling $5.26 billion and 62 of those bond issues passed.

Of the bond issues that passed, most were in counties, cities and school districts. Two community colleges, two hospital districts and one drainage district also held bond elections. What will result from their passage will be road construction, water infrastructure projects, new schools, public safety facilities and new and renovated health care facilities. Issues that failed could be prime opportunities for public-private partnerships, as many of the entities with failed bond issues will be looking for other revenue sources.

Strategic Partnerships, Inc. is offering for sale its 2013 Bond Package that includes all of the bond issues held, which ones passed and a detailed description of the projects that will result from those bond proceeds. The document also includes a preview of the millions of dollars' worth of bond issues being talked about for 2014 and beyond. This document is available for sale now.

Here are some examples of bonds that passed:

• A city in Central Texas passed a $65 million bond vote that will result in the addition of affordable housing in the city;
• A city in North Texas passed a $75 million bond election that will provide for street and traffic control improvements, drainage improvements, new police and fire facilities, parks and recreation facilities and a senior center improvements;
• A school district in West Texas will see the replacement of two elementary schools after passing an $87.7 million bond referendum;
• A $20 million bond package was approved in an East Texas school district that will build a new high school and renovate the existing high school into a junior high school; and
• Technology upgrades will be installed district-wide thanks to passage of a $50 million bond issue in a South Texas school district.

Voters in city in New York approve bond issue for school upgrades

A $21.4 million bond issue was approved recently by voters in the Nyack school district in New York. As a result, the school district will see extensive building upgrades, new security measures and a facelift for athletic facilities. Another $5 million in capital reserves will be added to that amount for the projects that total $26.4 million. Nearly 38 percent of the project is expected to be paid for with state funds. Officials say the bulk of the funding will be to replace antiquated boilers, roofs and windows at facilities throughout the district. The fire alarm system will be upgraded and air conditioning will be installed in the high school. Technology upgrades will also be paid for with bond sale proceeds. Nearly 100 additional security cameras will be installed in five buildings. Other security measures include adding card readers for exterior doors.

Hospital, school in Marin County to benefit from successful bonds

Marin County, California, voters recently approved a $394 million bond issue that will result in construction and improvements to the Marin General Hospital. The bond proceeds will be used for seismic upgrades to the facility as well as expansion of the emergency and other medical facilities. Voters also approved a $5 million bond referendum that will mean upgrades for the Lagunita Elementary School District. Projects will include the modernization of classrooms and libraries, school facility renovations, technology upgrades and playground and athletic field upgrades.

New cruise terminal proposal approved for Port Canaveral, Florida

An $80 million new cruise terminal in the cover area of Port Canaveral, Florida, has been approved by the port commissioners. The terminal will include a parking garage complex as well. The 185,000-square-foot terminal, to be known as Cruise Terminal One, could be open as early as November of next year. Port officials say they expect to announce cruise ship tenants for the terminal soon.  

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Study to employ public-private partnership for looking at bypass

A public-private partnership including the Marquette (Michigan) County Road Commission, city of Marquette, Marquette Township and the Eagle Mine is studying the viability of a bypass in north Marquette. A scoping study, scheduled to be completed next February and funded by Eagle Mine, will be used to understand the design, permits and construction of the bypass. The partnership is seeking both long- and short-term transportation solutions to meet the needs of the community as well as the trucking industry. Community meetings are schedule next year to allow community input on the scoping study.

 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 Ed Shikada.

Marty Morgenstern (top left), longtime adviser to California Gov. Jerry Brown, has retired as secretary of the state Labor and Workforce Development Agency, with David Lanier, Brown's chief deputy legislative affairs secretary, named to fill the post. Ericka M. Miller (top center), vice president with the Education Trust, has been nominated by President Barack Obama as the U.S. Education Department's assistant secretary for postsecondary education, replacing David Bergeron, who was acting assistant secretary, but left to join the Center for American Progress. Boston Police Superintendent William Evans (top right), has been named by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, as acting commissioner of the Boston Police Department, having risen through the ranks as captain of two districts and was overseeing the patrol division of the department's bureau of field services. Tim Doney, a veteran police officer who spent 25 years rising through the ranks of the Medford Police Department, most recently serving as deputy chief, has been chosen as the new police chief for the city of Springfield, Oregon. A new position, Executive Vice Chancellor for Institutional Effectiveness, has been created for Zelema Harris, retired chancellor of St. Louis Community College and former interim chancellor of Pima Community College (PCC), to serve alongside Chancellor Lee Lambert of PCC. Kenneth R. Evans was invested recently as the 15th president of Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, after being appointed president in April, succeeding James M. Simmons, who  retired. Julia Brown (bottom right), an attorney and former employee of the sheriff's department, working as a grants assistant, has been chosen as the new county manager for Dona Ana County in New Mexico, with interim Assistant County Manager Chuck McMahon named permanent assistant county manager for operations. Don Tharpe (bottom center), a veteran of 30 years' experience in association management and former CEO, COO and executive director of several trade associations and professional societies, has been chosen executive director of the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO). Westfield State University President Evan Dobelle (bottom left) has announced his immediate retirement amid controversy over his alleged lavish spending of university resources. The city of Miami Gardens, Florida, has chosen Cameron Benson, an assistant city manager who has served as interim city manager since October, as its new city manager, replacing Danny Crew, who stepped down after 10 years. Robert Hoecherl, a 27-year veteran of the Fort Lauderdale Fire Department and a 10-year veteran of the Broward County Fire Department, has been chosen as Fort Lauderdale's new fire chief, replacing former Chief Jeffrey Justinak, who retired. 

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