At a Glance
The DRWC envisions the Spring Garden Street Pier as a signature revitalization project that will be a model for sustainable redevelopment and investment along the Central Delaware River.
Project Description
Biohabitats performed a preliminary concept and feasibility review of the Spring Garden Street Pier to support meetings with government officials to discuss riverfront revitalization opportunities along the Central Delaware. The site is located on approximately 16 acres of strategically important pier property located along Columbus Boulevard at Spring Garden Street. This exciting project proposes sustainable in-fill development, ecological enhancement of the riverfront, and riverfront greenway public access as the key drivers for economic revitalization.
Biohabitats assisted in exploring DRWC’s contemplated ideas for preparing the site for mixed-use development including a combination of residential and commercial/retail uses in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner. The initial use opportunities contemplated include progressive residential living, premier commercial space and vibrant entertainment including fine dining, performance venues, and social gathering spots. The waterfront edge of the project will be dedicated to environmental protection of the river buffer zone which will act to provide water quality protection, native vegetation habitat, public greenway trail access, informative environmental education displays and potentially non-motorized boat, kayak and canoe access. The site presents significant opportunities to employ innovative sustainability practices including integrated stormwater best management practices such as rain gardens, bioswales, green roofs, cisterns, native landscape plantings/planters, and grey water re-use techniques, among others.
In accordance with likely federal, state and local permitting requirements the potential mitigation opportunities Biohabitats identified at this site include tidal wetland restoration, river buffer plantings, fish habitat structures, living shoreline, and measures to reduce the impacts of combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharge. The site provides an opportunity for stakeholder collaboration, community revitalization, environmental education & stewardship and sustainable development demonstration.
Biohabitats also developed some preliminary planning level costs, along with our consultant Urban Engineers, for site revitalization including demolition, sheet pile, capping, drainage system, living shoreline, buffer, trail and habitat mitigation potential cost ranges.