(top) Santa Monica Councilmember Kevin McKeown holds a plunger during the Colorado Ocean Relief Sewer Project's dedication ceremony at the former RAND site directly west of City Hall on March 26, 2009. (center) Councilmember McKeown cuts the ribbon during the Colorado Ocean Relief Sewer Project's dedication ceremony on Thursday. Alongside of Councilmember McKeown are (left to right) Lee Swain, Director of Public Works; Jennifer Phillips, Assistant City Manager;Laurel Rosen, President/CEO of Santa Monica Chamber of Commerceand Don Smith, FEMA public assistance officer. (above) Councilmember McKeown (holding the plunger) and other civic leaders look into the Colorado Ocean Relief Sewer. This $11 million project was designed and completed by city staff, Black & Veatch, Steve Bubalo Construction Co. and Tetra Tech, Inc. It was funded by wastewater funds and a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Purpose: Over two-thirds of the city’s sewage passes through the sewer main at Colorado and Ocean, making it a critical section of the city’s wastewater management. The original 1950’s era sewer main was damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake, and the city was unable to repair it due to the constant high volume and location under the 10 Freeway. The Colorado Ocean Relief Sewer Project increases the capacity of the sewer system to accommodate current and anticipated future flows, and provides an additional redundant line for maintenance and emergencies

Construction: Major components of the Colorado Ocean Relief Sewer include large junction structures under Colorado Avenue, additional structures at each end of the 108” diameter tunnel that runs under the 10 Freeway and Holiday Inn property (This tunnel contains two 42” and one 18” high density polyethylene (HDPE) inverted siphon carrier pipes), and all connecting sewer lines. An inverted siphon design works like the u-shaped drain trap under a typical bathroom sink, many times enlarged. Gravity maintains the flow of wastewater downhill under the Freeway, which pushes the sewage uphill on the other side. This does not require a pumping station, lowering energy consumption and reducing construction and maintenance costs.

Timeline: Staff began planning for the project in 2004. Initially, ten different alignments were considered. The selected alignment was chosen because it provides the greatest benefit to the city with lower construction costs and public impacts, as well as lower operational costs. On February 28, 2006, Council approved a contract with Black and Veatch to design the project. Later that year, on December 5, Council authorized the acquisition of a sewer easement below the Holiday Inn property. Construction contracts were awarded on October 23, 2007 after a competitive bid process. Major construction took place from December 2007 to December 2008. Substantial completion was attained when the new lines were in use in December 2008, after which the original lines were repaired and structurally lined for use as a redundant system.

Funding: Total budgeted cost of the project, including design, construction, property acquisition and project management were under $12 million. The Federal Emergency Management Agency provided funds for numerous upgrade projects throughout the City as a result of the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. In 2006 those projects were 95% complete with balances remaining. City staff received authorization from FEMA to utilize a portion of the remaining balance for the Colorado/Ocean Avenue Relief Sewer Project.

1) UCLA Chancellor Gene Block talks to Santa Monica College students about transferring to UCLA at the SMC Theatre Arts Main Stage on Wednesday, March 25, 2009. SMC, the No. 1 transfer institution to UCLA and the entire UC system, has had a long and fruitful relationship with UCLA. 2) Students ask the panelist questions. 3) Panelists left to right are: Alfred Herrera, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Partnership; Dr. Chui Tsang, SMC President;Lena brown, Transfer Coordinator - Undergraduate Admissions; Ron Johnson, Director of Financial Aide and Vu Tran, Director of Undergraduate Admisions. 4) UCLA Chancellor Gene Block (right) speaks with Santa Monica College Biology Student David Campos, 21, about transferring to UCLA at theSMC Theatre Arts Main Stage on Wednesday, March 25, 2009.

Block said that over the past 25 years, more than 10,000 SMC students had transferred to UCLA – 500 of them last fall alone.

“UCLA receives three times as many students from SMC as from any other institution—high school or college,” Block said. He added that more than 90 percent of SMC transfers go on to earn their bachelor’s degrees with GPAs that are equal to or better than those of other students. “They’re indistinguishable in terms of scholarship,” he said.

Pianist Alastair Edmonstone, 27, performs excerpts from Messiaen's epic piano cycle, 'Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant Jésus' (1944) (Twenty Gazes Upon the Infant Jesus) during a Santa Monica College Music Master Class at SMC Performing Arts Center -The Edye Second Space on Tuesday, March 24, 2009. Edmonstone studied with Mark Racz at Birmingham Conservatoire and with Stephen Drury at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where he earned a Graduate Diploma and Master of Music degree. Currently he is a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate at the University of Washington in Seattle, where he is a student of Robin McCabe.

People get blasted by the wind at the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday, March 22, 2009. Ferocious winds swept through Santa Monica Sunday, prompting officials to issue a wind advisory, which will be in effect until Tuesday morning. The wind is believed to be caused by strong offshore pressure gradients.

1) The DC-3 aircraft dubbed “Spirit of Santa Monica” majestically elevated on concrete pylons and positioned in a takeoff bank sits 12 feet off the ground. TheDC-3 Aircraft was manufactured at the Santa Monica plant and delivered in February 1942. The Monument pays tribute to Donald Wills Douglas and the Douglas Aircraft Company and is located at 3100 Airport Avenue on the south side of the Santa Monica airport. 2) (From left to right) David Price, Santa Monica Mayor Ken Genser, Executive Director  of Employees Community Fund of Boeing California Beverly Hoskinson and Santa Monica Airport Director Bob Trimborn cut the ribbon during the Douglas DC-3 Monument Plaza Dedication Ceremony on Saturday, March 21, 2009. 3,4) The United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol leads the pledge of allegiance. 5) Two DC-3's fly above the ceremony. 6) The Karla Ross Orchestra performs during the dedication ceremony.

The DC-3 Monument serves as a permanent reminder of the important role that the Douglas Aircraft Company played in the advancement of commercial and military aviation and includes display panels that help illustrate how the City of Santa Monica developed from the early 1920’s through the 1960’s.

The Employees Community Fund of Boeing California is a major sponsor. Morley Builders assisted with the planning of the project and Benchmark Contractors will serve as the general contractor. Andresen & Andresen was the project architect. The DC-3 Aircraft was donated by David G. Price, Chairman of the Museum of Flying. FedEx donated the paint and other cosmetic materials used by the DC-3 Volunteer Restoration Team. The City of Santa Monica provided the site and will be the permanent recipient of the Monument upon its completion.

The Monument includes a Founders Wall inscribed with the names of 1,000 employees, retirees, and friends of the Douglas Aircraft Company who have contributed personally to the project. The Monumentis a joint partnership of the Employees Community Fund of Boeing California, the City of Santa Monica, the Museum of Flying, and the DC-3 Monument Committeeee.

California State Senator Sheila James Kuehl (keynote speaker) and Laurie Newman (Consultant to Exposition Light Rail Construction Authority) participate in a group toast during Common Ground's benefit brunch 'Toast' at the Fairmont Miramar on Saturday, March 21, 2009.

Common Ground provides services and programs to youth and adults living with and at-risk for HIV. Since their founding in 1992, they remain the only comprehensive HIV agency serving the west side of Los Angeles. They provide HIV testing, prevention programs, care management, needle exchange and other services for hundreds of positive clients each year and reach thousands of at-risk teens and adults with proven prevention strategies.

Common Ground is a 501(c)(3) non-profit who depend on donations to fulfilltheir mission. They are committed to effective and efficient public service. Your gift of time or support will truly make a difference in the life of someone in need.

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Kindergarten students run laps during Will Rogers Elementary School's third annual Jog-a-thon on Friday, March 20, 2009. Their goal was to raise $15,000.00.

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(top) Lion Mike Cortrite presents Santa Monica Police Chief, Timothy J. Jackman with theSanta Monica Lions Club's 28th Annual Community Recognition Award on Thursday, March 19, 2009, at the Double Tree Guest Suites Hotel. (center) Chief, Timothy J. Jackman poses for a portrait with his wife Lisa after receiving theSanta Monica Lions Club's Community Recognition Award. (above) Jean McNeil-Wyner and Iao Katagiri, past community recognition award recipients, present Chief Jackman with a gift during the ceremony.

Lions are an international network of 1.3 million men and women in 205 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world. Known for working to end preventable blindness, Lions participate in a vast variety of projects important to their communities. These projects range from cleaning up local parks to providing supplies to victims of natural disasters. Beginning in 1917, the association of Lions clubs has provided millions of people with the opportunity to give something back to their communities.

http://www.santamonicaca.lionwap.org/