Goats clear vegetation in August 2008

900 goats feasted over a 4-week period

"wick drains" being installed n October 2008

each wick drain is then connected with ahorizontal "strip drain"

The Preserve has started construction with the goal of a Fall, 2009 opening for our new K-5 elementary school!

In August, you may have noticed all the goats on the Preserve at Redwood Shores site (Area H).  They were clearing vegetation in anticipation of Keech Properties, LLC, starting work on this long anticipated project.  By using goats any wildlife in the development areas was able to move out into the restoration areas without harm. The 900 goats have now moved on to another site and we are furiously working on the new school site and levee system.

The construction process began in September with the installation of vertical "wick drains" below the levee system. These small drains (1/2" x 4") are individually pushed 50 feet below the surface to drain and stabilize the underlying soils (lessons learned from Katrina!). Over 500,000 linial feet of these drains will be installed with an individual drain placed every 5 feet! We expect to complete the wicking process around November 1st. A specific type of "clay" soil is being imported from off-site and is being used to construst the 10 foot high levee. In addition, we are excavating a new lagoon next to the Seacrest community on Shearwater Parkway. This native clay material will also be used in the levee construction.

We have also been filling a "pad" for our new elementary school. This requires the importation of a "granular" material which will provide a solid foundation for the school buildings. We expect to complete the "pad" by January and then start construction of the school buildings early next year.

At completion the Preserve will include a:

• K-5 Elementary School for 400+ children,
• 3 acre Community Park with parking, picnic areas and tennis courts,
• 156 townhomes,
• 90+ acres of restored wetlands, lagoons and hiking trails
• New exterior levee system built to FEMA standards

Our construction schedule is:

• Sept. – Dec. 2008  -  Grading work for the levees, School and Residential sites
• Oct. 2008  -  Install “wick drains” (soil stabilization process)
• Jan. – Aug. 2009  -  Construct Shores school, widen Shearwater Parkway and complete levees
• Summer 2009 - Begin Townhome construction with first completions expected in Spring 2010.

The firm of Top Grade Construction will be doing all of our grading and roadway work.  They are a well-respected, local contractor.  Work will occur only on weekdays with soil coming to the site along Marine Parkway.  Top Grade will ensure that the streets are clean, the site is watered to minimize dust and that hauling (M-F, 7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.) and construction (M – F, 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.) hours are respected.  If you see any problem that needs to be addressed, we welcome your suggestions.  You may contact Top Grade directly:

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