Genesee St. Green Infrastructure Project What is Green Infrastructure?
Mohawk and Hudson River Watershed
rust2green utica
Goals and Sustainability
Green infrastructure is a concept that emphasizes the importance of natural systems in land use planning and design. Green infrastructure can range from large parks that provide places for relaxation and recreation to individual street trees which provide shade and help mitigate stormwater. Green infrastructure is when nature helps to do work for us. In this project, green infrastructure will help to clean stormwater along Genesee st. before it is released to the Mohawk River. The project will also beautify the streetscape with trees and shrubs and a new paving design.
People Adirondack Park
What is Stormwater?
Create spaces that will attract businesses to downtown Utica and generate greater economic opportunity
Create a vibrant and enjoyable streetscape for residents of Utica
Mohawk River Watershed
Rainfall in and of itself is not a problem, however, it accumulates toxins and other harmful substances on the ground and moves these into waterways such as lakes and rivers. In Utica, stormwater runoff drains into the Mohawk River before moving into the Hudson and finally the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally Utica, like many cities, has a combined sewer and stormwater system. This means that stormwater and sewage are disposed of using the same pipes and infrastructure. During a large rainstorm, a mixture of stormwater and raw sewage are dumped into the Mohawk River to prevent overloading of the city’s wastewater treatment facilities.
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Sustainability Viable
Stormwater Toxins Nitrogen and Phosphorus
Environment
Utica
Economics
Nitrogen and phosphorus are needed by plants to grow, but in excess amounts they can be harmful to water quality. They can lead to the growth of algae and surface scum and can lead to dangerously low levels of oxygen in from plant decay which can kill off fish and other aquatic life. Some forms of algae are also toxic to humans.
Improve water quality by treating stormwater along Genesee st.
Fecal Coliform Bacteria
Location Map - Utica NY Col
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The most common source of petroleum compounds in stormwater are automobiles. These compounds are generally toxic to humans and animals in low doses and can also clog drains leading to increased maintenance.
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Petroleum Compounds
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Building Footprints
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Forest 5,000,000
Total Acreage: 8,000,000
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Urban Water 700,000 300,000
Agriculture 2,000,000
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where: WQv = water quality volume (in acre-feet) P = 90% Rainfall Event (0.9 inches in Utica) Rv = volumetric runoff coefficient equal to: [0.05 + 0.009(I)], where I is a whole number percent impervious cover at the site (ex. 25, not .25) A = site area (in acres)
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WQv = ((P) (Rv) (A)) / 12
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Due to urban soil conditions, the rain gardens had to be connected to existing catch basins, as drainage would be inadequate and would create ponding. As well, each rain garden required an impermeable liner to protect existing building foundations and electrical and gas utility lines from water movement. The liner will also reduce issues such as heaving that may occur due to freeze-thaw cycles. Bioretention soil used in each rain garden was assumed to have 30% pore space by volume. The rain gardens were further sized to accommodate the drainage area of the sidewalk and roadway using the following equation:
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Metals in stormwater are toxic to humans and animal life. Many “bioaccumulate” in animal tissue meaning that they increase in amount as they travel up the food chain, making foods we eat (particularly fish) toxic. They can also interfere with reproductive cycles of certain animals and contaminate drinking water. The source of these metals are most often automobiles and machinery.
Sizing and Site Considerations
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Metals - Lead, Copper, Zinc, Cadmium
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Sediments in stormwater can cloud water making it difficult for plant and animal life and can destroy aquatic fish and insect habitats. Sediments also clog drains, leading to increased maintenance costs and potential flooding problems.
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Watershed Location Map ia S
Sediments
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Fecal coliform bacteria in water may indicate the presence of disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Pet and other animal wastes, failing septic systems, and combined sewer/stormwater systems can all contribute fecal coliform bacteria into waterways. This can be a problem for treatment of drinking water and can affect recreational use of a water body.
Project Extents
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Rain garden planters
Project Overview The project had three basic focal areas: the sidewalk along the block containing the Radisson Hotel, both sides of the Genesee st. between Court st and Bank Pl. and the public parking lot adjacent to the Stanley theater. Near the Radisson, a curb bumpout was redesigned to capture and treat stormwater runoff. Both ends of the block were redesigned with decorative pavers to provide a plaza-like feel. As well, we proposed a section of tree lawn to provide more shade along the sidewalk. Finally, we designed a small “pocket-park” for those waiting at the nearby bus stop. However, as this area is not owned by the city, it may not be constructed. Moving south, we examined both sides of Genesee between Court st. and Bank Pl. We redesigned this area with large rain garden planters to treat stormwater along the street while greening the sidewalk with shrubs and additional street trees. We also utilized decorative pavers along the sidewalk. We hope that this section of street will be used for outdoor cafes and dining and will attract restaurants and additional business to Utica. The rain garden planters are set back from the curb and spaced far enough apart to walk between. This way they wont hinder people getting in and out of their cars. Finally, we proposed retrofitting several areas within the parking lot adjacent to the Stanley theater to treat stormwater generated there.
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Rain garden planters 6’ x 16’
Space for cafe style seating
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Curb extension retrofit N Pocket park
Radisson Hotel
City events display board
New foundation plantings
Pavers create plaza like feel
Bus stop shelter
Proposed tree lawn Curb bumpout stormwater retrofit
Axonometric Details Green Infrastructure
Rain garden planter Maintenance
Each 6’ x 16’ Rain garden planter can filter approximately 81 cubic feet of stormwater. The 15 proposed planters will treat 1215 cubic feet of stormwater or 9088 gallons. The proposed stormwater solution is more than enough treatment area to handle the 90% storm volume for this area.
Sediments and debris from the roadway will accumulate within each planter and infiltration area. These should be removed on a yearly basis or as needed. Shrubs should be pruned yearly to encourage vigorous growth and replaced if dead or if health declines.
Storefront
Small Street Tree Sidewalk scupper allows water to drain from sidewalk Dense shrub plantings Existing street lamp
Curb extension retrofit Pavers at street edge
Existing street lamp
New foundation plantings
Radisson Hotel
Inlet/outlet with trench drain cover collects on street stormwater Impermeable liner protects building foundations Underdrain to nearest catchbasin
Curb cut inlet Existing catch basin elevation reset to provide for potential overflow Settlement slab Dense shrub plantings
Primary treatment area with 3 street tree plantings
Overflow scupper