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On August 13th, a thunderstorm rolled over our neighborhood, but this time no sirens followed. It created a mess, like the stormwater flooding that occurred just prior to the Westcliffe wall being built, but this time was different.  The flooding was more severe as evidenced by the back-up of the entire south Richland stormwater system.  But the reason no sirens followed was because Applewood Estates developed a plan as a key objective of their wall project to assure the homes near the intersection of Jonagold and Westcliffe would not be flooded from thunderstorm runoff.

To put this in perspective, the original flooding incident in this area disclosed that the street grade channeled rising stormwater onto the adjoining properties, rising because the local storm drains were blocked.  During the planning phase of the Westcliffe wall project, it became clear that the City believed that the design basis stormwater runoff event would be easily accommodated even if only one stormwater drain was flowing.  Thus the City chose to take no action.  The Applewood Estates HOA Board realized that the Westcliffe wall project offered a rare opportunity to eliminate this threat (and associated potential for neighborhood property value impact) along with enhancing the architectural appearance of the wall contour while providing an obstructed view of the new apartment complex being built across the street, all at a reasonable expense.  Thus the Westcliffe wall project plan was approved by the Board with this concept as a key objective.

 

Berkey Engineering was engaged to design a soil retaining wall as part of the Westcliffe block-wall foundation.  This provided an opportunity to fill the adjoining City right-of-way property to the street grade level, in essence providing a dam block any encroaching stormwater.  Padilla Masonry then incorporated this retaining wall structure into the Westcliffe wall project design and you can see the result standing.

 

In hindsight, it just seemed like the right thing to do, something that must be done.  But now, this project manager just can’t imagine how he would be feeling if he had heard those sirens on this particular Wednesday.  Thank you Applewood Estates neighbors as each one of you has a part in this story.
 
David Kobus, Treasurer
Westcliffe Retaining Wall Project Manager

Applewood Estates Homeowners Association