GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE RESOURCE GUIDE | 27 BEST PRACTICES: SITE DESIGN BEST PRACTICE: ENSURE DESIGNS ARE “BIDDABLE” AND “BUILDABLE” DESCRIPTION: Plans and specifications should be prepared in a way that allows a project to be constructed as detailed. Otherwise, projects are delayed, costs increase, local communities are impacted by prolonged construction disruptions, and public acceptance is compromised.88 STRATEGIES: • Consider stormwater quality and flood control requirements early as initial site concepts are developed.89 • Establish detailed green infrastructure design standards for parks that are “tailored to the local physical and regulatory landscape”.90 • Include inspection requirements, warranty clauses (when appropriate), and other quality assurance requirements in the contract to protect the park department’s interest.91 • Have construction personnel conduct constructability reviews early into the design process to ensure projects are buildable and biddable.92 • Have maintenance personnel ensure that that facilities can be easily maintained.93 • Ensure that public health and safety concerns are addressed during the design process.94 • Establish a secure funding source. EXAMPLES: • The Philadelphia Water Department provides comprehensiveplanning and design standards for all green stormwater infrastructure projects. These manuals provide specific guidelines for planning, design, and post-design activities, ensuring that planners and designers create projects that align with Philadelphia Water’s goals and can be easily constructed and permitted. They are tailored to local conditions and regulatory processes, and are available on a user-friendly, public website, ensuring their accessibility and transparency.95 • In 2013-2014, Seattle Public Utilities and the King County Wastewater Treatment Division jointly developed a siting and design manual for City and County-led capital projects in the public right-of-way. The purpose was to outline the process for assessing opportunities for green stormwater infrastructure and to engage the community during the siting and options phase. The manual also established field-tested planting palettes and planting and stormwater optimization guidance.96 Philadelphia Water Department An illustration of a trail section with disconnected impervious cover from Philadelphia
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