PROJECT DESCRIPTION
As the prime engineering consultant, Marais is leading the Upper Ninth Ward Community Flood Mitigation project, bringing technical expertise and community-centered design practices to support the City of New Orleans’ Office of Stormwater & Green Infrastructure. This project focuses on collecting data to support resilient green stormwater infrastructure and drainage improvement project proposals in the Bunny Friend neighborhood. Marais will manage a multi-phased scope that includes data collection and gap analysis, detailed hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) modeling, and the development of conceptual designs. Leveraging advanced modeling tools and FEMA-compliant benefit-cost analysis, Marais will evaluate flood reduction strategies and prioritize high-impact interventions to enhance the community’s resilience against severe storm events.
Throughout the project, Marais will collaborate with stakeholders—including city agencies, the Bunny Friend Neighborhood Association, and the public—to ensure transparency and responsiveness to local priorities. The team will facilitate community workshops and design charrettes to incorporate feedback into project alternatives and concept designs. Deliverables will include calibrated H&H models, GIS-integrated mapping of flood vulnerabilities, conceptual designs for the top-ranked GSI and grey infrastructure solutions, and a comprehensive implementation plan. Marais is overseeing project execution from kickoff through closeout, ensuring quality control, efficient scheduling, and proactive communication in service of a flood-resilient Upper Ninth Ward.