FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR CREEK ON THE BLUE MILE STATESBORO, BULLOCH COUNTY, GEORGIA PREPARED FOR: BLUE MILE FOUNDATION & DOWNTOWN STATESBORO DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 102 SOUTH MAIN STREET STATESBORO, GEORGIA 30458 EMC PROJECT NO.: 18-2019 MAY 21, 2018 ENVIRONMENTAL MARINE CIVIL SURVEY 1211 Merchant Way, Suite 201 Statesboro, GA 30458 (912) 764-7022 (912) 764-2884-f www.emc-eng.com Albany AtlantaAugusta Brunswick Columbus Savannah Statesboro Valdosta
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FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR
CREEK ON THE BLUE MILE
STATESBORO, BULLOCH COUNTY, GEORGIA
PREPARED FOR:
BLUE MILE FOUNDATION &
DOWNTOWN STATESBORO DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 102 SOUTH MAIN STREET
STATESBORO, GEORGIA 30458
EMC PROJECT NO.: 18-2019
MAY 21, 2018
ENVIRONMENTAL MARINE CIVIL SURVEY
1211 Merchant Way, Suite 201 Statesboro, GA 30458 (912) 764-7022 (912) 764-2884-f www.emc-eng.com
Albany Atlanta Augusta Brunswick Columbus Savannah Statesboro Valdosta
Feasibil ity Study Table of Contents Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
Project Area............................................................................................................................................... 4 Little Lotts Creek ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Little Lotts Creek Cross Section ................................................................................................................. 6 Little Lotts Creek Roadway Crossings ....................................................................................................... 7
South College Street Crossing ............................................................................................................... 7 Norfolk Southern Railway Crossing ....................................................................................................... 8 South Main Street (US Hwy 301) Crossing ............................................................................................ 9 Fair Road (State Hwy 67) Crossing ...................................................................................................... 10 Zetterower Avenue Crossing ............................................................................................................... 11
Modification of Little Lotts Creek ........................................................................................................... 13 Reservoir/Regional Detention Pond ....................................................................................................... 14 Existing Utilities ....................................................................................................................................... 15 Roadway Crossings .................................................................................................................................. 15 Flood Plain ............................................................................................................................................... 17
Permitting Requirements ............................................................................................................................ 18 Project Construction Results ....................................................................................................................... 20
Recreational Reservoir / Regional Stormwater Detention ..................................................................... 20 South College Street Crossing ................................................................................................................. 22 Norfolk Southern Railroad Crossing ........................................................................................................ 22 Between South College and South Main ................................................................................................ 23 South Main Street Crossing and Blue Mile Streetscape Connectivity .................................................... 24 Between South Main and Fair Road ....................................................................................................... 25 Fair Road Crossing ................................................................................................................................... 26 Between Fair Road and Zetterower Avenue ........................................................................................... 27 Zetterower Avenue Crossing and Outfall ................................................................................................ 28
Schedule ...................................................................................................................................................... 29 Findings and Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 30
Feasibil ity Study Page | 1 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Creek on the Blue Mile is best described as a revitalization project within a portion of Downtown
Statesboro. The project will involve creating a recreational reservoir and creek side pedestrian
promenade which will provide unique residential, commercial, cultural and recreational opportunities,
while enhancing the quality of life for the community.
Goals of the project include addressing and mitigating current flooding concerns within this portion of
the City, provide a regional stormwater detention facility, create developable land to be utilized for
commercial, residential and community use, and to reinforce the ongoing revitalization effort within the
area.
Technical considerations shall be identified and solved in the early stages of the project to determine
the physical goals of the project can actually be met. These considerations include physical,
environmental concerns relating to wetland mitigation and permitting requirements in relation to the
modification of Little Lotts Creek, construction of a regional detention pond, solving potential utility
conflicts, modifying roadway crossings, and addressing flood plain issues.
Once all technical considerations have been addressed, land is acquired, construction plans and
specifications are developed, permits for construction are obtained from the authorities having
jurisdiction, a contractor will be selected and the project can be constructed as envisioned. The end
result of the project will feature a recreational reservoir located west of South College Street with
various amenities, a pedestrian promenade along Little Lotts Creek between South College Street and
Zetterower Avenue with commercial, residential and community uses. The project will also feature a
reconfigured City park between Fair Road and Zetterower Avenue including recreation, entertainment,
educational and aesthetic features.
Although the Creek on the Blue Mile project has many potential obstacles, it has even greater
opportunities and end benefits. Thorough planning and design efforts are paramount to the success of
this project. Based on the information obtained from the various resources cited and the information
presented herein; EMC Engineering Services, Inc. recommends the continuation of this project.
Feasibil ity Study Page | 2 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
PROJECT OVERVIEW
On February 25, 2018 the Blue Mile Foundation and Downtown Statesboro Development Authority
partnered with EMC Engineering Services, Inc. to begin a feasibility study to redevelop a portion of Little
Lotts Creek within Downtown Statesboro into an urban, pedestrian-oriented green-way.
Due to the project’s proximity and connectivity with the Statesboro Blue Mile, this project was
affectionately named “The Creek on the Blue Mile”. The Statesboro Blue Mile is a grass-roots
revitalization effort aimed to upgrade and enhance the South Main Street corridor, and encourage
commercial and residential redevelopment into a pedestrian friendly, mixed-use area. Earning national
recognition by placing second in the Country through the America’s Best Communities completion; the
Blue Mile project has begun a revitalization drive within the community. The Creek on the Blue Mile
supports this initiative.
The mission of the Creek on the Blue Mile project is to modify the existing flood plain that exists along
little lots creek tributary in order to create a creek-side park through Downtown Statesboro, which
provides unique residential, commercial, cultural and recreational opportunities, while enhancing the
quality of life for the community. This mission serves to accomplish the following specific goals of the
project:
Reduce localized flooding impacts from major storm events to the surrounding properties
Create developable/usable land located outside the flood plain to reduce insurance and other
costs to developers/users
Provide stormwater detention storage for a portion of the City drainage basin
Attract new private development interests to support the continued growth of the downtown
area
Create a safe pedestrian corridor with connectivity to other existing pedestrian corridors such as
the Blind Willie McTell Trail, and Blue Mile Streetscape Phase I (currently in the design portion of
the project)
Integrate Little Lotts Creek into the community to ensure preservation and enhancement of
Statesboro’s natural attributes
Reinforce Statesboro’s image as a visually attractive City
Stimulate choices for compatible development of new land uses
This project envisions revitalizing approximately 36-acres within the downtown Statesboro area. The
project also aims to provide connectivity with the Georgia Southern University campus. Georgia
Southern University is the State’s largest and most comprehensive center of higher education south of
Atlanta and serves more than 27,000 students. Successful implementation of this project will attract not
only local residents and college students, but will also drive those located within the county and region
due to the unique atmosphere that will be created, none of which currently exist within the area.
The project is best described as a rehabilitation of one of the major storm water drainage canals that is
maintained by City. The beginning of project corridor is west of S. College Street and the terminus is
Feasibil ity Study Page | 3 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
east of Zetterower Avenue along the alignment of the existing canal. The primary objective of the
project is to reduce the impacts of major storm events that impact the project corridor with localized
flooding. The results of the primary objective will present a secondary result; the development of a
creek side park. The Creek at the Blue Mile will be unique in Southeast Georgia and will provide direct
connectivity to Downtown Statesboro and Georgia Southern University via its connectivity with the Blue
Mile Streetscape project.
Feasibil ity Study Page | 4 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
EXISTING CONDITIONS
PROJECT AREA
The project encompasses the area adjacent to Little Lotts Creek, between South College Street and
Zetterower Avenue, in Statesboro Bulloch County Georgia. Properties within the project corridor consist
of various usage types such as commercial, residential, and undeveloped properties. The project
corridor crosses several thoroughfares including South College Street, Norfolk Southern Railroad, South
Main Street (US Hwy 301), Fair Road (State Hwy 67) and Zetterower Avenue.
Figure 1: Project Area Highlighted in Red (Approximately 36-Acres)
Feasibil ity Study Page | 5 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
LITTLE LOTTS CREEK
Little Lotts Creek is a stream that collects storm water from a major portion of the City of Statesboro
water shed area, and conveys it south and into Lotts Creek. According to the United States Geological
Survey (USGS), Little Lotts Creek begins at the outfall of an un-named pond located along Miller Street
on the northwestern side of the City (immediately west of Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home). The creek
flows southeastward toward downtown and turns south after crossing under West Main Street. The
creek joins with an un-named tributary and then turns southeastward again at the western most portion
of the project area and runs along a City utility easement. From here the creek flows eastward through
the project area, crossing under South College Street, the Norfolk Southern railway, South Main Street,
Fair Road and Zetterower Avenue. After leaving the project area the creek continues to flow southeast
toward Veterans Memorial Parkway and then turns southward and flows into Bird Bond. From here the
creek conveys water south and eventually discharges into Lotts Creek.
Little Lotts Creek is considered a State Water and is under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of
Engineers. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division also requires a 25-ft stream buffer along the
waterway. The section of Little Lotts Creek between South Main Street (US Hwy 301) and Fair Road
(State Hwy 67) is armored (concrete-lined); therefore there is no 25-ft stream buffer requirement in this
area.
Figure 2: USGS Map - Creek through Project Area Highlighted in Red
Feasibil ity Study Page | 6 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
LITTLE LOTTS CREEK CROSS SECTION
Little Lotts Creek top of bank within the project corridor ranges in width from approximately 24 feet to
45 feet; with an average water width range of 5 feet to 15 feet. The concrete-lined portion of the creek
consists of a bank width of approximately 24 feet, 2.5:1 side slopes, and a 6 foot to 12 foot wide flat
bottom. The longitudinal slope of the creek within the project area varies but is an average of 0.20
percent from the beginning of the project at South College Street to the project terminus at Zetterower
Avenue. The images below represent two cross sections of the existing creek. The first image is a
representation of the creek at a cross section taken between the Midtown Market detention pond
(parcel owned by Mid-Town Holdings, LLC), and the residential property currently owned by Joseph
Robert Charron. The second image is a representation of the creek at a cross section taken between the
RJ’s Grill parking lot (parcel owned by Underwood Stacy, LLC) and the vacant commercial lot (parcel
owned by Marybeth Wildes Sapp).
Figure 3: Little Lotts Creek Existing Cross Sections
Feasibil ity Study Page | 7 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
LITTLE LOTTS CREEK ROADWAY CROSSINGS
Little Lotts Creek crosses five (5) roadways within the limits of the project area. These crossings are
described as follows:
SOUTH COLLEGE STREET CROSSING
Little Lotts Creek crosses South College Street via an 80-in and a 72-in reinforced concrete pipe. These
pipes are owned and maintained by the City of Statesboro. These culverts are inspected every three
years. The last inspection was 2017. The City of Statesboro Stormwater Division advises that there is
scheduled work to install a headwall on the upstream end of the culvert. There are no structural defects.
The pipe culvert condition is satisfactory. There are no scheduled plans to replace the structures.
Figure 4: Upstream Side of South College Street Culvert Crossing
Feasibil ity Study Page | 8 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILWAY CROSSING
Little Lotts Creek crosses the Norfolk Southern Railroad via two 6-ft x 6-ft vaulted box culverts. These
culverts are owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad and leased to and maintained by Georgia Southern
Railroad. The southern culvert barrel is elevated higher than the northern barrel. According to
representatives at Georgia Southern Railroad this are no scheduled plans to replace the culverts.
Figure 5: Upstream Side of Railroad Crossing
Feasibil ity Study Page | 9 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
SOUTH MAIN STREET (US HWY 301) CROSSING
Little Lotts Creek crosses South Main Street via five (5) 72-in box culverts. These culverts are owned and
maintained by the Georgia Department of Transportation. These culverts are considered bridge culverts
and are inspected every two years. The last inspection was on April 11, 2018. This culvert was
constructed in 1934. The current condition of this culvert is satisfactory. There are no scheduled plans to
replace of this culvert.
Figure 6: Upstream Side of South Main Crossing
Feasibil ity Study Page | 10 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
FAIR ROAD (STATE HWY 67) CROSSING
Little Lotts Creek crosses Fair Road via three (3) 96-in box culverts. These culverts are owned and
maintained by the Georgia Department of Transportation. These culverts are considered bridge culverts
and are inspected every two years. The last inspection was performed on March 21, 2018. This culvert
was constructed in 1935 and reconstructed in 1946. The current condition of this culvert is satisfactory.
There are no scheduled plans to replace of this culvert.
Figure 7: Upstream Side of Fair Road Crossing
Feasibil ity Study Page | 11 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
ZETTEROWER AVENUE CROSSING
Little Lotts Creek crosses Zetterower Avenue via three (3) 9-ft box culverts. These culverts are owned
and maintained by the City of Statesboro. These culverts are inspected every three years. The last
inspection was 2017. There is no major maintenance scheduled for this culvert. This culvert is in
satisfactory condition. There are no structural defects. There are no scheduled plans to replace this
culvert.
Figure 8: Upstream Side of Zetterower Avenue Crossing
Feasibil ity Study Page | 12 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
FLOOD CONCERNS
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps, portions of the
project area are located within flood zones. Flood zone information has been referenced from FEMA
The re-aligned creek and pedestrian walkway will continue beneath Fair Road though an enhanced
culvert. Ramps will be provided to allow pedestrian access from the street down to the promenade.
The road crossing at this location will be raised approximately 3.5 feet.
Feasibil ity Study Page | 27 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
BETWEEN FAIR ROAD AND ZETTEROWER AVENUE
This large open space will consist of public enhancements to include recreation, entertainment,
educational, and aesthetic features. The northern end will include the existing recreation department
offices, a refurbished playground, a pavilion with restrooms, and a large amphitheater. The stage and
support building will be located on a landscape island formed by the creek and promenade. The central
portion of the site includes a parking lot with optional parking deck off of Fair Road and an open air
farmers market with access from Zetterower Avenue. The southern end of the park consists of an
interactive fountain/ smaller gathering area, a demonstration garden, an arboretum, and a major entry
gateway feature. The gateway includes a potential elevated walkway connecting to the campus of
Georgia Southern University.
Figure 20: Park between Fair Road and Zetterower Avenue Rendering
Feasibil ity Study Page | 28 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
ZETTEROWER AVENUE CROSSING AND OUTFALL
The pedestrian promenade will terminate at Zetterower Avenue, but will provided connectivity to
existing sidewalks or walkways. The Zetterower Avenue drainage culverts will be deepened and
modified to accommodate the new creek elevation. Creek improvements, including
widening/deepening will continue eastward behind College Plaza Shopping Center and end at South East
Wood Products. A multi-level weir will regulate the outfall of the creek back to natural grade. The weir
will have the ability to lower the creek level by as much as 2 feet in advance of a major rain event.
Feasibil ity Study Page | 29 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
SCHEDULE
Project Phase Work Type Description Time
Pre-Design Drainage Study Limited topographic survey of key points within the drainage study area. Hydrology/Hydraulic study of the affected drainage basin.
4-months
Topographic Survey
Topographic and boundary survey of the reservoir area and project corridor adequate to prepare construction documents
1-month
Design Development
Site Engineering Preparation of construction documents for the construction of a reservoir and project corridor
4-months
Permitting City of Statesboro FEMA LOMA Ga EPD GSWCC USACE
Submittals, correspondence / revisions / negotiations with regulatory authorities adequate to approve construction documents
18-months
Construction Bidding Bidding and negotiations with contractor
2-months
Site Work Construction of all proposed work on construction documents
12-months
Feasibil ity Study Page | 30 Creek on the Blue Mile, Statesboro Georgia EMC Project No. 18-2019
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Creek on the Blue Mile is a major revitalization project. The project has many potential obstacles,
but even greater opportunities and end benefits. Thorough planning and design efforts are paramount
to the success of this project.
The recommended next steps are listed as follows:
Preparation of an Opinion of Probable Costs for the land acquisition, hydrologic/hydraulic study,
design, permitting, and proposed infrastructure improvements
Public affirmation of the project by elected officials and acceptance by the all stakeholders
Ensure property needed for this project can be secured for development into a
reservoir/regional detention facility
Conduct a hydrologic/hydraulic drainage study to ensure the goals of this project can physically
be achieved
Conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis
Prepare construction documents and specifications
Bid the project to ensure preliminary Opinions of Probable Costs are accurate
Award the contract to the lowest qualified contractor
Build the detention pond, bridges, creek alignment
Based on the information obtained from the various resources cited and the information presented
herein; EMC Engineering Services, Inc. recommends the continuation of this project.