Woodman Avenue Groundbreaking Ceremony Held

The Department of Public Works Bureaus of Sanitation and Street Services joined Councilmember Tony Cardenas (Council District 6), Department of Water and Power, The River Project, Panorama City Neighborhood Council and community members for a groundbreaking ceremony of the Woodman Avenue Stormwater Capture and Median Retrofit Project today. The event was held to coincide with National Public Works Week (May 20-26).

This multi-beneficial green infrastructure project will retrofit the 3,500-foot-long asphalt medians bordering the west side of Woodman Avenue from Lanark Street to Saticoy Avenue. The enhancements include installation of 99 new shade trees, approximately 27,000 square feet of native and drought tolerant landscaping, a permeable walking path, access ramps, and improvements to existing bus stops.

These installations will reclaim the urban forest, help recharge the groundwater basin, improve water quality, and alleviate local flooding. New design features of pre-treatment devices and a naturalized vegetated swale, will allow for the capture, clean and infiltrate of surface runoff, which currently reaches the Tujunga Wash, Los Angeles River and goes into the ocean. In an average rainstorm, nearly 1.5 million gallons will be added to local water supplies.

“This stretch of Woodman Avenue will be enhanced, beautified and designed in a sustainable way that demonstrates why the City of Los Angeles continues to be an environmental leader and innovator,” said Board of Public Works President Andrea A. Alarcón. “It also promotes this year’s National Public Works Week theme of using sustainable solutions to improve the quality of life.”  

The $3.4 million project is funded by State Proposition 50 Funds, the Department of Water and Power and the Bureau of Sanitation.  The Bureau of Street Services will oversee construction. These agencies and The River Project collaborated on the project with support from the Office of Councilmember Tony Cardenas, the Panorama City Neighborhood Council, local organizations and area residents. It was initially proposed by the local community during the development of the Tujunga/Pacoima Watershed Plan.

Photo courtesy of  LA Stormwater.