Construction news on The Preserve at Redwood Shores
updated December 15, 2009
Construction of The Preserve is 75% complete and the Fall 2010 opening of Redwood Shores new K-5 elementary school is a virtual certainty. We are also ahead of FEMA’s schedule for completing the new Preserve levee system. Our progress breaks down as follows:
New Shores Elementary School: Keech Properties completed the school pad and turned the site over to the Belmont Redwood Shores School District on December 1st, 30 days ahead of schedule! The District’s contractor, Blach Construction, is now working feverishly on the building interiors and site improvements. Completion is scheduled for early Summer so the Fall 2010 opening should be easily met.
Flood Protection Levee: We completed the basic levee system in August, providing protection to current FEMA standards for all Shores homeowners. As part of the wetlands restoration, a “topping” stage is currently underway. Public access paths, plazas and landscaping will be installed in the spring to complete the system.
Preserve Townhomes: We have broken ground on our new townhomes! Our builder is KB Homes who also constructed the first-rate Seacrest, California Bayside Cove and Shore communities, adjacent to The Preserve. Two, three and four bedroom units ranging from 1,400 to 2,000 square feet will be available beginning Summer of next year. Models will be open by the first of April with floorplans and pricing available in March. Email us to be placed on our "interest list" if you'd like to be the first to obtain more information on design, floor plans, pricing and reservations.
Shearwater Parkway Widening: We have completed most construction on Shearwater Parkway including turn lanes and utilities to the new School site. Expect to see final landscaping installed in the median islands in January.
Wetlands Restoration: Restoration work began in June with excavation of new “slough” channels and construction of “islands” of elevated habitat. We are currently lowering the old exterior levee as we prepare to return full tidal flows to our restoration area in Spring. The 80 acre restored marsh will provide habitat for the endangered California Clapper Rail and Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse. It will also provide wildlife viewing and recreational opportunities from the Preserve’s extensive public trail system.
Site Preparation: Construction began in August 2008 with 900 goats. 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 construction process continued in September 2008 with the installation of vertical "wick drains" below the levee system. These small drains (1/2" x 4") were 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 were installed with an individual drain placed every 5 feet! A specific type of "clay" soil was then imported from off-site and used to construst the 12 foot high levee system. In addition, a new lagoon was excavated next to the Seacrest community on Shearwater Parkway.
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:
- November 2009: Begin Townhome construction with first completions expected in Summer 2010
- January 2010: Landscape the newly-widened Shearwater Parkway
- December 2009 – May 2010: Complete tidal wetlands restoration, parks and public access improvements
- April 2009 – July 2010: District to complete school buildings, playground and parking
KB Homes is constructing the new Townhomes. They are a well-respected, national homebuilder. Work will occur only on weekdays with deliveries coming to the site along Marine Parkway. KB Homes 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 KB Homes directly:
Tony Dority
TEL: 510-719-3207
tdority@kbhome.com
Henryk Tay
TEL: 510-719-3534
htay@kbhome.com
You may also contract Keech Properties:
Paul Medeiros, Construction Manager
TEL: 408-529-6020
medeiros4ppjk@sbcglobal.net
We will continue to post updates on the project as our construction process evolves.
Thanks! Due to all your support and hard work “The Preserve at Redwood Shores” has become a reality. We will use our best efforts during the construction process to minimize our impacts on our neighbors and the Shores community.
Our goal is to be a good neighbor and enhance the Redwood Shores community.
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