5.4.22
Annual Project Update Held for Elected Officials
Water Partners (WWP) – a joint venture between Alberici and Burns & McDonnell – hosted a site tour of Wichita’s Northwest Water Facility on April 19. Members of City leadership and Public Works, Sedgwick County 5th District Commissioner Jim Howell, members of the South-Central Delegation of the Kansas House of Representatives, and USD 259 leaders were in attendance. Representatives from participating design firms and construction contractors were also present.
Members of the WWP project team presented an overview of the project’s progress. The overall design of the project is 99% complete and the filter pilot program has been 100% approved by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Following the presentation, attendees were invited to tour the construction site.
WWP’s procurement process is also making progress in supporting local businesses. Out of 215 contracted businesses, 137 originate from Sedgwick County and surrounding counties. As of April 2022, these local commitments totaled $215 million, of which $45 million was slated for emerging, minority, and women-owned enterprises.
To strengthen local partnerships, WWP hosted three procurement events in the last twelve months, where local contractors learned about registering and certifying their business with the City. Through these outreach efforts, eleven new businesses have been registered and certified with the City and are currently under contract on the Northwest Water Facility.
WWP continues to expand local workforce opportunities through a partnership with WSU Tech and their Apprenticeship in Construction Science program. Five fully-funded scholarships and full-time paid job opportunities are available for those accepted into the program. Registration is open through July 1st, and classes begin on August 15th. Learn more about the opportunity and apply online at: https://wichitawaterworks.com/apprenticeship
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