KANSAS CITY, MO — KC Water’s Central Industrial District Green Infrastructure Project has earned the American Public Works Association’s (APWA) 2021 Public Works Project of the Year Award. These winners publicly developed, owned, and maintained infrastructure projects that promote excellence in construction management and administration.

The APWA’s 2021 Public Works Project of the Year Award is in the $5 million but less than $25 million category, in the Environment Division.

“This is an honor to be recognized. Our teams work hard to find cost-effective sewer overflow control solutions, and we make sure those solutions involve green infrastructure. I am proud of the work we are doing to create a healthier and cleaner environment,” said Srini Vallabhaneni, KC Water Smart Sewer Officer.

The Central Industrial District Project is an addition to the West Bottoms area. This nearly $10-million project is part of the Smart Sewer program that KC Water committed to 10 years ago to reduce the amount of stormwater getting into the combined sewer and causing sewer overflows. The changes include a new drainage system to control stormwater after heavy rains, a boardwalk with native plants and trees, and a paved, multi-event space.

“APWA is honored to celebrate the 2021 Projects of the Year awards," said APWA President Mary Joyce Ivers, CPFP, PWLF. "The award recipients exemplify infrastructure projects that are planned, designed, constructed, and maintained to advance the quality of life for all in their communities. With the challenges of failing infrastructure across North America, public works projects are critical to rebuilding our resiliency and telling our story to support infrastructure funding. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, our public works heroes continued to deliver on their projects."

“The beauty of the Project of the Year Awards is that they highlight the amazing collaborative efforts to build and rebuild America’s infrastructure," said APWA Chief Executive Officer Scott D. Grayson, CAE. "Every year, I am amazed at the innovation and vision the award recipients share to improve quality of life for the public."

Awards are won in four divisions and five categories. The divisions are projects less than $5 million; projects of $5 million, but less than $25 million; projects of $25 million to $75 million; and projects of more than $75 million. The categories are structures; transportation; environment; historical restoration/preservation; and disaster or emergency construction repair.