Leon County Accepts Two State-Wide Awards from the American Public Works Association

Leon County Accepts Two State-Wide Awards from the American Public Works Association

Leon County Government received two state-wide Project of the Year awards from Florida’s American Public Works Association (APWA) for construction completed in both 2020 and 2021. APWA awards spotlight exceptional projects that achieved project goals within budget all while exceeding public expectations.  Leon County received a 2020 award for work in Woodside Heights and a 2021 award for the Meridian Road Drainage Improvement Project. Receiving Project of the Year awards at the state level allows these projects to compete for national recognition.

“Both of the County’s award-winning projects improve lives as well as infrastructure,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Bill Proctor. “Specifically, the Woodside Heights project replaces failing septic tanks with central sewer to ensure southern Leon County residents have a cleaner, safer future.”

The County received Florida’s APWA Project of the Year awards for the following projects:

• Meridian Road Drainage Improvement Project

2021 APWA Project of the Year

Historically, heavy rain caused water to run over Meridian Road and created hazardous conditions in the area. To reduce flooding, Leon County improved drainage by installing large box culverts to move water beneath the roadway. Such improvements are also expected to reduce soil erosion, improving the health of adjacent wetlands and Lake Jackson.

• Woodside Heights Wastewater Retrofit Project

2020 APWA Project of the Year

To reduce the number of failing septic tanks in southern Leon County and thereby improve water quality, the County constructed over 2.6 miles of sewer and nearly 0.9 mile of sewage force main. The pump station constructed was designed to accommodate not only the existing developed area in Woodside Heights and adjacent subdivisions, but also a planned future residential development to the east of well over 200 homes.

“State-wide recognition truly highlights how the County’s collaborative approach with area residents, state agencies and expert contractors makes infrastructure that will serve generations,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long.

The APWA Awards Program promotes excellence in the management and administration of public works projects by recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, the consultant/architect/engineer and the contractor who accomplished the projects together. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, awards for construction completed in 2020 and 2021 were presented this year. To be selected for a Project of the Year award, eligible projects are measured on seven criteria against both national standards and other state-wide projects.   Some criteria include construction management techniques such as staying on schedule, safety procedures for both workers and the public, special consideration of environmental factors and use of sustainable practices, just to name a few. 

The American Public Works Association is a non-profit international, educational and professional association of public agencies, private companies, and individuals dedicated to improving the quality of life for communities through public works projects and services.

For more information, contact Mathieu Cavell, Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / cmr@LeonCountyFL.gov .

Leon County Public Works Received a 2021 Project of the Year Award for the Meridian Road Drainage Improvements Project.

 

Leon County Public Works Received a 2020 Project of the Year Award for the Woodside Heights Wastewater Retrofit Project.

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