The new San Francisquito Pump Station is located east of Bayshore Road adjacent to Highway 101 on a trail adjoining the San Francisquito Creek. It collects runoff from 1,250 acres of northern Palo Alto. Schaaf & Wheeler’s design of this currently operational pump station reduces flooding that had severely impacted surrounding neighborhoods Several properties are now protected from persistent flooding issues. At the same time, it improves the environment, protects from future sea-level-rise, and incorporates civic art into the property.
This project won the APWA Project of The Year award.
This project includes the design and construction of a new storm water pump station with rail-mounted axial flow submersible pumps, an earthen discharge channel, and modifications to an existing storm drain outfall. Pump discharge pipes are equipped with flap gates to prevent backflow into the station and onto the street. The new pump station is located away from an existing levee which allows for future development.
Upon completion, the pump station was dedicated to Palo Alto’s Public Works supervisor, John Ballard and commemoration placards were placed throughout the facility. In addition, local artist, Ceeva Sobel, installed “Streaming”: a public art piece on the façade of the building.