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drainage problem brown mackie 2/23/1983r U J1r�%?,n�(� t!J11 !,!I 1 I ^li��Ci1i -. 20SV2 South Santa Fe • Salina, Kansas 67401 • 913-023-3717 February 23, 1983 Mr. Gordon Ahlstedt The Brown Mackie College 126 South Santa Fe Salina, Kansas 67401 Dear Gordon: In order to identify the source of the problem relating to flash flooding of your Santa Fe Property, we have made an engineering anaylsis of the problem. The findings are as follows: 1. There are two (2) storm inlets (one at Santa Fe and Eyalnut and one at Santa Fe and Iron) which are supposed to drain all the surface water on the west side of Santa Fe (100 South). 2. A walkway projection for seating and planting was built in front of your property in conjunction with the Downtown Beautification project. 3. The street gutter along the west side of Santa Fe is supposed to act as a channel to drain the surface water from south to north in'your block: 4. The above-mentioned walkway projection is acting an a dam and is holding back the surface water that formerly fl(racd, uninterrupted, to the north inlet at Santa Fe and Iron. 5. This restriction has caused a build-up of water on the sidewalk in front of your property. In fact, during heavy rains, the water now flows over the sidewalk in order to move on north past- the walkway projection to the inlet at Santa Fe and Irou. 6. A "lake" has been created in front of ,your property and, .during heavy rains, water is actually penetrating into your building. This has caused considerable damage to your property. The problem is compounded by the "wave action" caused by passing vehicles. 7. Another problem is created during cold weather. Sdith the collection water' on the sidewalk, which frnezes, a liability is created by any Injury accidentr, nttribntcd to tht.o situation. Dir. Cordon Ahlstedt February 23, 1983 Page 2 8. We have taken topographic levels along the entire block (100 South) to document what is happening with the surface water and to support our findings. 9. It is our considered opinion that the flooding of your property is caused by the walkway projection that was constructed in front of your property. We will be happy to answer any questions you have and to furnish additional documentation, if desired. Yours very truly, THE SHAVER PARTNERSHIP John A. Shave JAS/k e/ %e xaum J� a�� Telephone 19131825-5422 - 126 South Santa Fe Avenue • Salina. Kansas 67401 oiF„ of «P.z;a� Mr. Rufus Nye City Manager City -County Building 300 W. Ash Salina, KS 67401 Dear Rufus: April 4, 1983 I have discussed with you previously the problem we have after moderate and heavy rains with water overflowing the street gutters and running into our store building located at 132-134 S. Santa Fe. This water problem has caused substantial damage to our property on several occasions, and as a direct consequence of this problem, Jim's Formal Wear Co. terminated its tenancy and moved out- of the building. We appreciate the City's previous efforts to prevent the overflow by building up the sidewalk, but unfortunately this has not remedied the problem. The water still overflows from the street into the building. The Brown Mackie College and Realty Management, Incorporated have always been supportive of keeping the downtown area of Salina as an attractive and active commercial district. We have recently re-leased the south half of our building to King's Fabrics, and it is our intention to put a new storefront on the building located at 132-134 S. Santa Fe. However, in order to keep a tenant for the building and before we can construct the new storefront, it is necessary that the water problem be solved. In connection with our new storefront project, The Shaver Partnership made an engineering analysis of the water problem. The findings from the analy- sis are that the walkway projection for seating and planting built in front of the property by the City of Salina in conjunction with the Downtown Beautification Project several years ago is acting as a dam and holding back the flow of the surface water which is supposed to drain into the storm sewer at Santa Fe and Iron. The water pools in front of the property and eventually runs over the curb and into the building. The problem is com- pounded by the wave action caused by passing vehicles. I Mr. Rufus Nye April 4, 1983 Page 2 Also as part of the findings, John Shaver has pointed out the potential liability problems created by the water overflow during cold weather. I am enclosing a copy of the Shaver findings for your reference. The spring and summer months ahead of us will be bringing the rain storms and the flooding. We are faced with the prospect of suffering even more water damage to the property. So that we may avoid such further damage, I respectfully request that the City of Salina take appropriate action as soon as possible to alleviate the overflow problem. May we hear from you soon. Respectfully, THE BROWN PIACKIE CORPORATION By: M. Gary -Talley, President Memorandum April 8, 1983 To: Rufus L. Nye, City Manager From: Don Hoff, Assistant City Engineer Subject: Brown Mackie Drainage Problem 132-134 South Santa Fe In response to Mr. Gary Talley's letter to you, dated April 4, 1983, we offer the following comments: (a) The Street Department reconstructed a portion of the brick and concrete sidewalk in front of Brown Mackie College in September, 1982 to eliminate depressions ("bird baths") in the immediate area. This problem has been solved by providing positive drainage of the sidewalk area into the street gutter section. (b) We question Shaver Partnership's "engineering anaylsis" of the drainage conditions at the Brown Mackie College site. Our survey crew ran elevations this morning along the west gutter line of Santa Fe Avenue from Walnut Street to Iron Avenue. The walkway projection (mid -block crossing) is the high point of the street gutter between Iron Avenue and Walnut Street. Therefore, all drainage south of the walk- way projection flows south to the inlet at Walnut Street and all drainage north of the walkway projection flows north to the inlet at Iron Avenue. The walkway projection can not "act as a dam" as stated in Mr. Shaver's report. (c) The street drainage on Santa Fe Avenue also split in mid - block prior to the Downtown Beautification Project. (d) Our field information confirms the existence of a "bird bath" in the west gutter of Santa Fe Avenue approximately 10 feet south of the walkway projection. This minor de- pression in the gutter flowline would allow water to stand (approximately 3/8" deep) in the gutter section. No other depressions in the gutter section were found to exist either to the north or south of the walkway projection. We would not consider a gutter depression of only 3/8" deep as "creating a lake." (e) We would suggest Brown Mackie College raise the threshholds to their entrances as a part of the new storefront con- struction. This modification would prevent water from entering their building. If you have any questions concerning our comments or need additional information, please contact me. i The Shaver Partnership 205Y2 South Santa Fe • Salina, Kansas 67401 • 913-823-3717 April 27, 1983 Mr. Don E. Hoff Assistant City Engineer City County Building Salina, Kansas 67401 Dear Don: Thank you for meeting with Gene Hinde and the Undersigned regarding the flash flooding problem at the Brown -Mackie College property, 126 South Santa Fe. It appears that the elevation shots taken by your office and ours are essentially in agreement. Also, we seem to be in agreement on the severity of the problem. You said you would explore the solutions we discussed and get back to us with a proposal. You indicated you would check into the following: Check the underground storm sewer lines to see if there are any obstructions empeding the flow of rain water. Take a reading on some of the threshold elevations in properties north and south of Brown -Mackie College. Install a drainage trough north and south (on axis with the gutter) through the island and planter extension with a perforated grating cover. The grating would be at the existing walk level. We appreciate your expression of cooperation and we will await further word from you. Yours very truly, THE SHAVER PARTNERSHIP #john-A JAS/k cc: Mr. Gordon Ahlstedt Mr. Gene Hinde DEAN BOYER. P. E. CITY ENGINEER Mr. John A. Shaver The Shaver Partnership 205 1/2 S. Santa Fe Avenue Salina, Kansas 67401 Re: Drainage Problem Brown Mackie College Dear Mr. Shaver: ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT 300 WEST ASH STREET P. 0. BOX 746 SALINA. KANSAS 67401 AREA CODE 913 827-9481 May 25, 1983 DONALD E. HOFF. P. E. ASST. CITY ENGINEER D. W. BASSETT TRAFFIC ENGINEER In response to your letter, dated April 27, 1983, we have completed our review of the three (3) subjects listed in said letter and offer the following information: (1) The Street Department checked the storm sewer system affecting the drainage in the vicinity of Brown Mackie College. All storm sewer lines and inlets were free flowing and no obstructions were observed. (2) Our field crew established the elevations of several thresholds of buildings located between Brown Mackie College and Walnut Street. These elevations are summarized below: (a) Brown Mackie College - 7.19 (b) J. C. Penney - 7.56 (c) Carroll's - 7.47 (d) Bolen -Wood - 7.39 (e) Midwest Music - 7.62 (f) Santa Fe Challenge - 7.61 As indicated above, the threshold elevation of Brown Mackie College is approximately 2 1/2" lower than any other threshold in the vicinity. (3) The City of Salina would not be liable for any con- struction costs involving a drainage trough through MEMBER ... KANSAS LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES - NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES Mr. John A. Shaver May 25, 1983 Page 2 the pedestrian island. Any proposed construction on public right-of-way must be approved by our office. As stated in our earlier meeting, we believe the drainage problem at Brown Mackie College, 126 South Santa Fe Avenue, could be minimized by elevating their building threshold at least 3". If you need any additional information at this time, please contact me. Sincerely, Z:�nl Don Hoff, P.E. DH:as The Shaver Partnership �— 2051i'i South Santa Fe • Salina, Kansas 67401 • 913-623-3717 PROJECT #1923- THE 1921THE BROWN MACKIE COLLEGE SALINA, KANSAS June 18, 1983 Mr. Donald E. Hoff, P.E. Assistant City Engineer City of Salina P. 0. Box 746 Salina, Kansas 67402 Dear Mr. Hoff: Thank you for your letter of May 25, 1983, relative to the drainage problem at The Brown Mackie College property at 126 South Santa Fe Avenue. Your threshold elevation readings on the five (5) business establishments south of Brown Mackie (and in the same block) are of interest; however, your letter fails to address the following: This water problem did not occurrp for to the construction of the cross -walk extension. The cause of the drainage problem is related, primarily, to the construction of the cross -walk extension (a portion of the downtown beautification project). The cross -walk extension creates a "dam" that restricts the flow of surface water to the storm drain inlet at Santa Fe and Iron. I'm personally disappointed in your response to this problem and your indication the City has no responsibility. As the Owner's representative, I feel obligated to request that you reconsider your position. Yours very truly, PARTNERSHIP JAS/k ( r The' Shaver PartnershiAffilkp V1V"— 2051/2 South Santa Fe • Box 1118 • Salina, Kansas 67402-1118 • 913-823-3717 PROJECT #1921 THE BROWN MACKIE COLLEGE SALINA, KANSAS January 6, 1984 Mr. Donald E. Hoff, P.E. Assistant City Engineer City of Salina P. 0. Box 746 Salina, Kansas 67402 Dear Mr. Hoff: The answer to your letter of May 25, 1983 (relative to the Drainage problem at Brown Mackie College) has been delayed for numerous reasons; however, the concern with the problem persists. Although the data contained in the above-mentioned letter is correct, you have failed to address the primary problem. That is that the island (in front of the Brown Mackie building) built during the Downtown Beautification project has created a "dam" effect, and restricted the flow of water through the gutter northward to the inlet at Santa Fe and Iron Avenues. One only needs to observe the large "lake of water" ponded on the sidewalk in front of our Client's building during heavy rains to understand the problem. Further, you failed to show a threshold elevation for Kinney's Store. Our elevation shots show this to be only 1/2 -inch above the Brown Mackie threshold level. This is another business that has experienced flooding during heavy rains, and is immediately north of Brown Mackie. Your letter states, The City of Salina would not be liable for any construction costs involving a drainage trough through the pedestrian island." We cannot, with good conscience, advise our Client to accept your response, prima-facie. 4 . Mr. Donald E. Hoff, P.E. January 6, 1984 Page 2 The cost of correcting the drainage problem has been thoroughly documented by our office and we have found that the costs are quite significant. We request your reconsideration of this matter and trust that there be a continuing discourse that will end with an equitable resolution to the problem. An exten- uating matter to be considered is the liability exposure both for the City and our Client with the ponded water, especially when freezing occurs simultaneously. We look forward to your early response to this letter. Yours very truly, THE SHAVER PARTNERSHIP i o n aver JAS/k cc: Mr. Gordon Ahlstedt