Flood Control Techniques using Green Infrastructure in Flood Area Five

Approximately 250 acres in the Cleveland and Folwell neighborhoods in North Minneapolis have recurring flood damage to homes and yards due to insufficient sewer infrastructure, clay soils, excessive stormwater runoff, and high groundwater tables.  

The City of Minneapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) is interested in exploring ways to solve flooding problems through innovative stormwater management techniques that not only alleviate flooding but also add to the health, livability, safety, and beauty of the city and its residents. Initial ideas include: closing or modifying the right-of-way in portions of the east-west streets; using trees to uptake, store and infiltrate water; and using the area under alleys as water storage and filtration areas.  

The City DPW has contracted with the Metropolitan Design Center to assist with the public process and creating initial design concepts. Barr Engineering has been contracted to test and model the various alternatives. The Design Center project team is lead by Gina Bonsignore and Katie Thering, with contributions by Lance Neckar. 

A summary of the meetings and the materials presented are as follows: 

    Meeting One: Understanding the Problem, January 22, 2008
    At this meeting representatives from the City of Minneapolis explained the history of the flooding in the area and Barr Engineering gave an overview of storm water management techniques used in other areas of the country. The Design Center presented a resident survey to help understand the magnitude of the flooding residents were experiencing.
    Download:  

    • Barr PowerPoint (Coming Soon)
    • Resident Survey PDF (Coming Soon)

    Meeting Two: Tools, Techniques and Concepts for Flood Control, February 12, 2008
    Barr Engineering and the Design Center gave a presentation on the tools available for solving the flooding issue, and an overview of initial design concepts for greenways that would serve as both water storage areas and community green space.
    Download:  

    • Barr PowerPoint
    • Greenway Solutions Design Concepts 

 Meeting Three: March 4, 2008   Folwell Park 6:30-8:00 p.m. 

City of Minneapolis project contact:
Lois Eberhart  Lois.Eberhart@ci.minneapolis.mn.us or 612.673.3260

 





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