Green Infrastructure
– RBA is a leader in the study, design, and implementation of green infrastructure across the Northeast –
WHO WE ARE RBA is a multi-disciplined consultancy that brings together a vibrant group of creative professionals including hydrologists, civil/structural engineers, architects, urban designers, landscape architects, and environmental specialists. Our staff are: – committed to environmental conservation; – knowledgable in the regulatory process, for city and state agencies; – fully versed in the latest sustainability and green infrastructure design practices. We understand and are familiar with the requirements of the EPA, DEP, DEC, and the implementation of Long Term Control Plans (LTCP) to control and reduce CSO flows with the aim to ultimately eliminates CSO’s.
CORE DISCIPLINES Civil Engineering
Water Resources
Structural Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Landscape Architecture
Architecture
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Brooklyn Navy Yard Since 2009, RBA has designed and managed the redevelopment of all subsurface infrastructure within this 300+ acre industrial facility in Brooklyn. Installment of stormwater BMP’s and reduction of CSO volumes were key aspects of all roadway and parking lot reconstruction. The Navy Yard’s industrial character and high water table posed special challenges in meeting stormwater reduction goals. RBA was able to meet these goals through the use of shallow stormwater management practices. DESIGN SERVICES Permeable Pavements
Underground Storage Systems
Rain Gardens
The permeable paver system used was designed to achieve a superior lock-up that can withstand even the heaviest commercial loads. The permeable asphalt pavement system achieved a high void ratio by using a larger aggregate and a considerable stone recharge basin that both supports the heavy vehicle loads and provides a significant storage capacity for stormwater.
Permeable Asphalt – Brooklyn Navy Yard Infrastructure Improvements, BROOKLYN, NY
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NYCDEP Green Infrastructure DEP is currently developing Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Long Term Control Plans (LTCPs) for affected waterbodies per the Clean Water Act (CWA) and recently Amended Consent Order signed in March of 2012 with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). DEP’s intent is to use green infrastructure in order to meet water quality standards. The NYCDEP, through NYCEDC, has selected RBA to provide design and engineering services for green infrastructure in the Jamaica Bay combined sewer tributary area. THE RBA TEAM WILL Evaluate specific locations using GIS & record maps Analyze impervious tributary area to manage 1� of runoff
Conduct Topographic Surveys Perform Soil Borings and Permeability Testing
Prepare Construction Documents for the installation of 500+ Bioswales.
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Plaza De Las Americas DOT works with selected not-for-profit organizations to create neighborhood plazas throughout the City to transform under utilized streets into vibrant, social public spaces. The NYC Plaza Program is a key part of the NYC’s effort to ensure that all New Yorkers live within a 10-minute walk of quality open space. Plaza De Las Americas is a part of DOT’s Plaza Program, and an integral component of PlaNYC.
The plaza design features a completely permeable pavement surface similar to the one used at the US Cellular Field Parking Lot in Chicago. We have also integrated a Silva Cell modular suspended pavement system that uses soil volume to provide urban trees the space they need for healthy roof systems that supply powerful on-site stormwater management through absorption, evapotranspiration, and interception.
Nassau County Community College RBA designed a 20 acre/1400 car ‘green’ parking lot and connecting roadways that incorporate the use of permeable pavers, bio-retention swales, rain gardens, LED light fixtures, raised planted islands, and decorative pedestrian crosswalks, mixed-in-place recycled base course. THIS PROJECT IS The Largest Application of Bioretention Swales in NY State
2013 ACEC New York - Silver Award
A Showcase for Sustainable Parking on Long Island
An Integration of Complete Streets, Green Infrastructure & Context Sensitive Design Principles
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NYCDOT Permeable Pavement Retrofit on Urban Roadways Streets makeup over a quarter of the city’s impervious land area. The NYCDOT is looking to capitalize on this available real estate, by studying ways to incorporate porous pavements into the city’s fabric and complementing DEP programs to further reduce the overland runoff and the burden on the combined storm sewer system. The NYCDOT has asked RBA to study, analyze and develop standard details for porous pavement retrofits that can be installed by the city’s in-house maintenance staff. THIS WORK WILL INCLUDE Methodologies for evaluating hydraulic site conditions
Evaluation of Porous Friction Courses (PFCs)
Details for modifying the existing roadway to allow drainage
One-year monitoring of installations
Green Infrastructure – Philosophy Our philosophy on green infrastructure is to focus on small discrete projects at the source of the pollution instead of large capital projects. Source controls express the underlying philosophy that it is more cost-effective to prevent pollution than to treat it. The effectiveness of a decentralized system depends upon the aggregate, cumulative effect of the many small-scale source control projects. The key to continuously reaping long term benefits from these small systems is ongoing low cost maintenance.
Bronx Zoo In 2004, the Bronx Zoo developed a master plan to govern future development of the Zoo as a world class destination. One of the key goals of the plan was to restore and rejuvenate self-sustaining landscape processes (hydrology, wildlife, native vegetation, nutrient/energy flows, regional connectivity) within the context of this urbanized region. Specifically the goal entailed reducing storm water runoff, and restoring the morphology, aquatic habitat and water quality of the Bronx River. As part of the redevelopment of the Bronxdale parking facilities and main entrance to the zoo, RBA has made the goal of sustainable design a reality. The design includes a series of bio-swales and underground recharge structures to reduce overland storm water flow and outfall volumes, and thereby improve the water quality of the Bronx River. RBA is preparing a full drainage analysis and plan, and is coordinating its effort with NYCDEC and the ACOE. The bio swales were designed with native plantings of the Bronx as approved by the NYCDPR and to recent guidelines as outlined by the NYCDEP Green Infrastructure Plan.
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Delaware Riverfront Trail The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) is a nonprofit corporation that designs, develops and manages the central Delaware River waterfront in Philadelphia between Oregon and Allegheny Avenues. DRWC intends to transform the central Delaware River waterfront into a vibrant destination location for recreational, cultural, and commercial activities for the residents and visitors of Philadelphia. RBA has completed conceptual design plans for the Delaware River Trail from Mifflin Street to Lehigh Avenue along Delaware Avenue/Columbus Boulevard. The plans include design guidelines for the entire trail, which will incorporate sustainable design features and green infrastructure. RBA completed final design for the first part of the Delaware River Trail: the Penn Street section, which runs from Spring Garden Street to the Sugarhouse Casino. The Penn Street Trail, which is now open, features a continuous rain garden that intercepts stormwater runoff and green inlets to capture and treat runoff that would flow into the city’s combined sewer system. The trail also features solar-powered lighting.
Spence School The Spence School is a private all-girls school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The school is undergoing some major renovations to update their existing infrastructure and achieve LEED Gold status from the USGBC. RBA prepared a feasibility study for the school on the installation of a Green Roof on their new facility. Based on the feasibility study The Spence School decided to incorporate a green roof into the renovation. RBA developed construction documentation (plans, specifications, and estimate) for the construction of the green roof. The green roof includes both extensive and intensive green roof areas, as well as outdoor seating with custom built planters and furniture. RBA also assisted in the design for an outdoor teaching classroom with custom designed planters and furniture. RBA is working in close partnership with the school staff and the student committees, who are involved in selecting the plant material for the green roof. RBA will provide further assistance to the school during installation.
Bryan Park As part of the New York City’s PlaNYC Plaza program, RBA was hired to redesign an existing under utilized park located at the intersection of Fordham and Kingsbridge Roads in the Bronx. We redesigned the park with sensitivity to preserve existing trees, providing an array of public amenities centered on the creation of a new sustainable bi-level park/plaza space. The proposed design combines both the impervious park plaza and a stretch of under-utilized asphalt roadway to double the size of the park. The entire area was paved with a combination of permeable pavers, rain gardens, and large tree pits. The project is currently under construction and when complete will be the first plaza built under the DOT Plaza Program where 100% of the plaza is converted to a pervious surface.
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LINDA REARDON, PE Ms. Reardon has 28 years of experience in the planning and design of site/civil engineering projects with a focus on urban infrastructure. She has managed and designed numerous street and highway reconstruction projects for city and state agencies. Her strength is completing large-scale urban streetscape projects that integrate technical, aesthetic and sustainability design goals. Ms. Reardon has built a reputation for high quality designs that are buildable and respectful of project intent. She has extensive knowledge of agency procedures as required to secure and expedite project approvals. Recently, Linda has worked to implement green infrastructure initiatives for a variety of clients and locales including Brooklyn Navy Yard, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, NYCDOT and others. Ms. Reardon has a personal commitment to sustainable design, and has served as technical advisor on several recent green infrastructure projects undertaken by RBA.
JOSEPH MENZER, PE Mr. Menzer has over 17 years of diverse experience in civil and site engineering with a specific focus on sustainable design and best management practices. His broad range of planning and design experience encompasses all facets of design and analysis for roadways, parks, plazas, utilities, retaining walls, and waterfront facilities in New York City. Mr. Menzer directs a staff of civil, structural, water resource and traffic engineers. He has managed NYC infrastructure projects with agencies including DDC, DOT, EDC and DEP . He has a stellar reputation for delivering projects to clients satisfaction on budget and within schedule. As a result, many clients turn to RBA when projects are on an expedited timeframe. Mr. Menzer has managed several award-winning projects including an ACEC Platinum award for Brooklyn Navy Yard Infrastructure rehabilitation.
THEO PRINCE, PE Mr. Prince brings thirteen ELISA TSANG, PE Ms. Tsang has managed years of civil engineering experience, specialand implemented innovative stormwater izing in water resources, storm water manmanagement practices for redevelopment agement and modeling, site development, projects using infiltration basin design, rain grading and green infrastructure design. His gardens, and bio-retention filtration systems background in surface water system analysis on national and international retail expanand design, hydrologic and hydraulic modelsion projects. She also designed projects in ing, GIS-based analysis, and floodplain mapcompliance with current Phase II National ping has proved invaluable in his work, which Pollution Discharge Elimination System has included the award winning Prospect regulation. She has obtained the necessary Park Lakeshore Improvements. Mr. Prince has environmental permitting and agency apbeen involved in a number of site developprovals for rain gardens constructed as part ment and street reconstruction projects, including large scale parks, transit and of RBA’s design for rain gardens and green inlets along the Delaware River Trail sporting complexes gaining an in-depth knowledge of DEP, DPR, DOT, and DOB in Philadelphia. specifications and design criteria for compliance.
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The RBA Green Infrastructure Team
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NEW YORK
LONG ISLAND
PHILADELPHIA
CONNECTICUT
NEW JERSEY
27 Union Square West New York, NY 10003 212.741.8090
40 Marcus Drive Melville, NY 11747 631.891.3200
1315 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 215.751.1133
20 North Main Street Norwalk, CT 06854 203.956.0512
7 Campus Drive, Suite 300 Parsippany, NJ 07054 973.946.5600