Cascade Road Upgrade

Fulton County, GA

As Fulton County Public Works Director, Collaborative Vice President Angela Parker led the project management and plan review activities for the Cascade Road Upgrade project. This included redesign of sidewalks, curb and gutter elements, decorative street lighting and intersection improvements with turning lanes and signal improvements. The Buffington Road upgrade included sidewalks, curb and gutter, turn lanes and signal improvements. It is part of an overall upgrade designed to improve vehicular traffic movement and enhance pedestrian connectivity in the area.

Improvements overseen included: added turn lanes, signalization, sidewalks, landscape plantings and decorative lighting. Fulton County Public Works Department provide the basic foundation of day-to-day comfort including sanitary sewer and water distribution systems maintenance; stormwater management services; water and pollution prevention education to residents, schools, communities, and businesses; maintenance of paved and unpaved roads, bridges, and traffic signals; coordination of the County’s street light program; and management the South Fulton Comprehensive Transportation Plan.

Sidewalk Improvement Program

City of Norcross, GA

While with Q-B Engineering, Collaborative Senior Engineer Gilbert Quinones prepared and implemented a comprehensive citywide program for reconfiguring all sidewalks within the City of Norcross to meet ADA standards. The scope of services included: a sidewalk inventory; surveying; upgrading of plans and specifications; preparation of bid documents; cost estimating and construction observation. The project was completed and operational on time and within budget.

Approximately 40-50 miles of City sidewalks were reconfigured to meet ADA standards. Sidewalks, like roadways, should be designed to serve all users including: children, older people, parents with strollers, pedestrians who have vision impairments, and people using wheelchairs and other assistive devices. Just as a roadway is not be designed for one type of vehicle, the design of sidewalks accommodates more than a single type of pedestrian.

Transportation Capital Improvement Program

Fulton County, GA

As Assistant Director and Director of Fulton County Public Works, Collaborative Sr. Vice President Angela Parker was responsible for the County’s multi-modal transportation capital program, which at its peak totaled approximately $400 million.

The program included road widening and intersection projects, advanced traffic management system improvements, and improvements to sidewalks multi-use paths, bridges and culverts. The scope of each project involved planning and concept development, public involvement, environmental approvals, design, right-of-way acquisition, cost estimating, budgeting, bidding and construction management. Projects executed using federal and state funds followed the Georgia Department of Transportation Plan Development Process; projects executed with local funds followed a fast-track process.

Cemetery Road Survey

City of Norcross, GA

Collaborative Senior Engineer Gilbert Quinones was responsible for all roadway design, land surveying and engineering surveying services in support of plans for the Cemetery Street Improvement Project in the City of Norcross. The project, completed while Gilbert was with Q-B Engineering, was approximately one-half mile in length and consisted of one major intersection, with Buford Highway, and four other intersections.

Tasks completed by Gilbert included a boundary survey, topographic survey, right-of-way and easement survey and other survey services in support of intersection improvements, sidewalk plans, stormwater improvements, right-of-way plans, work scheduling, cost control and construction observation.

Land Development Services

Planning and Community Services Department, Fulton County, GA

The Collaborative provides in-house services for all of unincorporated South Fulton County in the following areas: engineering review for land development; site development and infrastructure inspections; municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) inspections and program management and; Georgia Soil Water Conservation Commission Local Issuing Authority (LIA) compliance and program administration.

The firm applies best management practices and soil and erosion standards in accordance with State and local regulations and ensures that all roadway and infrastructure improvements within the public right-of-way and public utility easements meet County, State and Federal standards.

Planning and GIS Services

Fulton County, GA

For the Economic and Community Development Department of Fulton County, GA, Collaborative GIS Manager Colin Gowens provided GIS services to support community planning and transportation initiatives. His work included: plat map data harvesting and quality control, managing the digital plat archive; creating digital elevation models, and integrating terrain models to assess the impacts of flooding in developing areas. GIS data supports numerous community development activities from land use to economic development.

In addition, he designed and implemented a spatial database of well and septic systems that included a web application with GPS integration and spatial integrity checks. Colin also developed a geographic database and digital plats system to provide planners and the public with current street network information in support of the development approval process.

Sams Lake Wetland Mitigation

City of Atlanta, GA

While with Q-B Engineering, Collaborative Senior Engineer Gilbert Quinones conducted a range of civil engineering services for the City of Atlanta’s Sams Lake Wetland Mitigation Project. The project called for the remediation and reconstruction of a 32-acre wetland along Perry Creek in Fayette County, as mitigation for wetlands disturbed by construction of the fifth runway at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Gilbert prepared layout and grading plans, an erosion and sediment control plan, an NPDES plan, a storm water management report, a boundary and topographic survey and hydrologic modeling in compliance with Corps of Engineers and FEMA criteria.

Since opening to the public in September 2008, Sams Lake has attracted many visitors—both human and wild. Beaver have constructed two dams. Other residents include: wild turkeys, egrets, heron, hawks, deer, muskrat and even a bold armadillo who greeted a delighted visitor. Amenities at the preserve include an easy half mile mulched trail around the borders of the wetlands and three observation decks for wildlife viewing. A series of low dikes manage the water level to provide four shallow pond areas. Small islands provide habitat for nesting birds. As the water level stabilizes and native plants mature, the bird sanctuary will draw migrating and nesting birds and other wildlife, providing an opportunity to experience nature “up close and personal.”

Stormwater Mitigation and Coordination

City of Sandy Springs, GA

The Collaborative coordinates the implementation of stormwater best management practices standards in support of the City of Sandy Springs. The firm ensures that all private development within the City meets County, State and Federal standards. Service activities include:

• Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) inspections and program management
• Georgia Soil Water Conservation Commission Local Issuing Authority (LIA) compliance and program administration
• Engineering Review

A demographically diverse community, Sandy Springs covers a 38-square-mile area in North Fulton County. It is the second largest city in the metropolitan Atlanta area and is the sixth largest city in the State of Georgia. Sandy Springs is surrounded by more than 950 acres of parks and natural areas. Today, the City enjoys one of the most innovative systems of service delivery in the country, while maintaining a traditional Southern charm and hospitality. The constant, over the years, has been the long-held belief in Sandy Springs as a friendly gathering place. Guests can be assured of a warm Southern welcome when visiting Sandy Springs!

Johns Creek Environmental Campus

Metropolitan District Commission, Hartford, CT

Angela Parker, Collaborative Vice President, was responsible for Fulton County’s water and sewer operations, including maintenance and capital programs. Under her leadership, the County completed the Johns Creek Environmental Campus, a $138M, 15 MGD reuse quality wastewater treatment plant. The Campus is situated on 43 acres off Holcomb Bridge Road in the City of Roswell adjacent to the Chattahoochee River near Garrard Landing.

The campus brings together a vision developed through a collaboration with the late Fulton County Commissioner Bob Fulton, the City of Roswell, and surrounding neighborhoods. JCEC meets the needs of the Johns Creek basin and replaces the previous Johns Creek Water Reclamation Facility. The project won numerous awards, including the 2010 Best of the Best Award from “Engineering News Record.” This facility is one of the first of its size in the US using state of the art membrane bioreactor technology.

Water Resources Operations

Fulton County, GA

As Fulton County’s Public Works Director from 2005 to 2011, Collaborative Vice President Angela Parker was responsible for water and sewer operations, maintenance and capital program development. In this position, she guided approximately $260M in water and sewer projects.

Water-related responsibilities included the provision of water service to Fulton County north of the Chattahoochee River, a population in excess of 230,000 residents. She was also responsible for operation of the wastewater collection and treatment system for north and south Fulton County outside of Atlanta and the provision of stormwater management services for all of unincorporated north and south Fulton County. Related projects include stream bank restoration, a wetland construction project to filter stormwater, and a soil and groundwater remediation project to clean up environmental contamination within a County park.