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WA9601-CS 960912 SHIMEK, JACOBS & FINKLEA, L.L.P. [4 19 o 1 CONSULTING ENGINEERS ................................................. ]8333 Douglas Avenue, #820 Dallas, Texas 75225-5816 Fax (214) 361-0204 Phone (214) 361-7900 ROSS L. JACOBS, P.E. RONALD V. CONWAY, P.E. JOHN W. BIRKHOFF, P.E. JOE n. CARTER, V.n. September 12, 1996 GARY C. HENDRICKS, P.E. I. C. FINKLEA, P.E. Mr. Kenneth M. Griffin, P.E. Assistant City Manager/City Engineer City of Coppell Post Office Box 478 Coppell, Texas 75019 Re: Wagon Wheel Ranch Park Elevated Storage Tank Site Evaluation Dear Mr. Griffin: general vicinity, but attempts to incorporate the tank into the sports complex at this end of the park. Site No. 2 is located at the southern end of the park and is within the proposed 3.5 acre Service Center property. The three sites are shown on the attached Figure No. 1. Our evaluation of the various sites included the following items: * Hydraulic operation of the tank Cost Associated · Ground elevation at the tank site and site topography with Site , Distribution system improvements cost Development and , Soil data and other geotechnical engineering properties Construction · Cost of the land , Site access for maintenance and construction Site Aesthetics, Fit · Adjacent facilities and developments and other , Site configuration Considerations , Site drainage , Fencing considerations The hydraulic operation of the tank is the most important element when evaluating tank sites and should be given prime consideration. The next four parameters relate to the site development and overall cost associated with the construction of the tank project. Finally, the items in the last group are all important to the location and development of the tank site and should each have near equal weight as a group, but are not normally the driving force in determining the tank site. Mr. Kenneth M. Griffin, P.E. City of Coppell September 12, 1996 Page No. 2 From our discussions with you, we understand the City is strongly considering fencing the tank site. Although security fencing is not required by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission for a pedestal style tank, we concur with this approach. If the tank site is to be fenced, we recommend an area not less than 210' x 210' with roughly a square perimeter, or approximately 230 to 240 feet in diameter with a circular perimeter. Either of these configurations encompass roughly one acre of land and will provide adequate separation from the tank column and the general public. Please note that during construction of the tank, most contractors require no less than 2 acres of land for staging and erection. Figure No. 2 shows the anticipated foot print of the proposed 2.0 million gallon elevated tank and the recommended perimeter fencing options. As a side comment, the perimeter fencing could be designed to match the general theme of the park using brick columns and decorative wrought iron fencing with a wagon wheel pattern repeated along the top rail (see the suggested Fence Scheme Detail, Figure No. 3). Proposed Tank Site No. 1 This site is shown in detail on Figure No. 4 and is located in the north~corner of Wagon Wheel Ranch Park. It is proposed to be a secured, stmad alone site and is not directly associated either with the service center facilities or sports complex facilities. Advantages: 1. Relative to the hydraulic considerations, we believe this site is the most desirable location as it provides the most efficient use and operation of the tank and it is located further away from the existing elevated storage tank. 2. This site provides a more direct and shorter route to the existing water distribution system mains, as shown in Figure No. 5. This results in approximately 1,600 linear feet less of new 24-inch water main construction, saving an estimated $105,000 in infrastructure improvements. 3. From the City's topographic maps, it appears the site is roughly 1 to 2 feet higher than the other sites evaluated. Generally, each foot of height of a 2.0 million gallon elevated tank costs roughly $10,000. 4. For site access, this location is immediately adjacent to Northpoint Drive and no additional site access work would be necessary. The construction and operation of the tank is not dependent upon completion of the planned park entry road. 5. The site as shown does not conflict with the proposed sports fields in the general vicinity. 6. The site is configured to maxlmize the use ofthls corner of the park. Some minor adjustments in the proposed park entry road will need to be considered. We have noted that the currently planned entrance road to the sports complex may require significant drainage improvements in order to function properly. 7. We believe with the appropriate decorative fencing, lighting and some minor architectural treatments on the tank, this site would provide an excellent entry feature into the park and fit well with the adjacent sports complex. 1. The fenced site would take roughly 90 parking spaces from the park layout as currently planned. Mr. Kenneth M. Griffin, P.E. City of Coppell September 12, 1996 Page No. 3 Proposed Tank Site No. 2 This site is shown in detail on Figure No. 6 and is located within the proposed 3.5 acre Future Service Center tract of Wagon Wheel Ranch Park. It is proposed to be a secured, or fenced site associated with the future service center facilities. We have located the tank near the northeast corner of the tract to maximize the use of the property and to gain as much ground elevation as possible. Advantages: 1. Relative to the hydraulic considerations, this site will function adequately, but it is located closer to the existing elevated storage tank. 2. The site as shown does not conflict with the proposed sports fields in the general vicinity. 3. The site is configured to maximize the use of future service center tract. 4. Site drainage is readily available into Cottonwood Branch. 5. Again, with the appropriate decorative fencing and some minor architectural treatments on the tank, this site would provide an excellent feature to the adjacent park and fit well with the adjacent sports complex. Disadvanta_g_e.~ 1. The site appears to be approximately 1 to 2 feet lower than Site No. 1. 2. This site requires a less direct and longer route to the existing water distribution system mains. This results in approximately 1,600 linear feet more of new 24-inch water main construction, adding an estimated $105,000 in infrastructure improvements (See Figure No. 5). 3. For site access, the tank contractor may be required to build at temporary access road. Permanent access will be provide from the future Creekview Drive once the park is developed. If the tank contractor must build an access road, the closest major thoroughfare is Royal Lane, approximately 825 feet to the west. In addition, it appears a drainage culvert and retaining wall will be required where the access road nears the banks of Cottonwood Branch. 4. If the tank is to be secured inside the Service Center tract, a large quantity of decorative and/or security fencing may be required. PropoSed Tank Site No. 3 This site is shown in detail on Figure No. 7 and is located within the proposed baseball complex of Wagon Wheel Ranch Park. It is proposed to be a non-secured site, meaning the public would have direct access to the outside of the tank column. In order to limit this access, we recommend that concession stands, storage facilities and restrooms be located immediately adjacent to and around the perimeter of the tank column. Perhaps these could be constructed with architecture features similar to the Ball Park in Arlington or some other attractive enhancements that match the theme of the park. We strongly recommend the City not allow any public access into the interior of tank column. At this stage, we are not certain that ball field lighting, or even area lighting can be (or should be) attached to the tank column. In general, we believe lighting from the tank column could be more costly and may present maintenance difficulties as well. Mr. Kenneth M. Griffin, P.E. City of Coppell September 12, 1996 Page No. 4 Proposed Tank Site No. 3 (Cont.) Advantages 1. Hydraulically, this site is essentially equal to Site No. 1 2. This site is essentially the same as Site No. 1 relative to the water distribution system infrastructure improvements. 3. Fencing around the site is not required. 4. With the appropriate lighting and some architectural treatments on the tank, this site would provide an excellent feature to the park and fit well with the surrounding sports complex. Disadvantages: 1. The site is approximately 2 to 3 feet lower than Site No. 1. 2. This site eliminates the planned sports complex playground area. 3. Careful coordination with the park planner is required to develop proper access to the tank for maintenance purposes. 4. Additional planning and cost will be required to coordinate the site drainage. The tank will require an overflow drain pipe that must be coordinated with the park development plan. 5. Routine and periodic maintenance of the tank may interfere with the sports complex operation 6. Architectural treatments and/or enhancements will be more critical in the final design of the tank at this location. 7. Without a perimeter fence, the tank is more accessible and exposed to graffiti, damage to the column and access doors, and break-ins. None of the evaluations considered the site's soil and geotechnical engineering properties. It was our intention to have the geotechnical evaluation performed once the site was selected by the City. However, if directed we will be happy to provide that service at all sites currently under consideration. Neither did we evaluate the cost of the property associated with each site. We assumed the land cost were fixed and equal for all sites. Based on our evaluation of the sites, we recommend the City locate the proposed elevated storage tank at Site No. 1. Our recommendation is based on the superior hydraulic operation of the tank at this location; the reduced overall project cost due to higher ground elevations and more direct and shorter connections into the exiting water distribution system; and the advantages associated with securing the tank inside a fenced perimeter. In addition to the operational advantages, we believe the tank can be designed as an attractive, prominent and eye-catching landmark for the Wagon Wheel Ranch Park entrance. We are available to discuss our site evaluation and recommendations further at your convenience. Enclosures SHIMEK, JACOBS & FINKLEA, L.L.P. CONSULTING ENGINEERS Gary C. Hendricks, P.E.