Poway Spotlight: Capital Improvements Program

What do playgrounds, city streets, a new community center and water valves all have in common? They represent the diversity of City of Poway projects managed by the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) division of Poway's Development Services department.

This talented team of engineers and inspectors are responsible for the design and construction of all City projects. Counting both active and proposed projects, that's an anticipated 49 projects with a price tag of about $80 million that will move ahead this fiscal year. There are four engineers in the CIP division and three inspectors in the Inspection division. There is also one engineer in the Public Works department that manages several projects included in the Water Infrastructure Program, which is part of the CIP.

The projects are created with the CIP budget approved each year by the Poway City Council. The projects are prioritized based upon funding source, construction timing, and operational needs. Depending on the complexity and size, a project might be designed in house, by a consultant or a mixture of both.

"One of the most important things we do during the design phase is to talk with the stakeholders about their goals and figure out how to interpret that into the project," said Special Projects Engineer Jeff Beers.

Once designed, the project is put out to bid to hire a contractor. The contractor then constructs the project using the plans and specifications created by the project engineer or our consultant.

The project is typically inspected by an engineering inspector to ensure the work conforms to the plans, specifications, and other City standards.

"This includes daily visits to the work site that range from checking on the traffic control set up to ensuring that the correct materials are being used - and being used as intended," said Senior Lead Engineering Inspector John Tolliver.