Southwest Yonkers Conceptual GSI Design

Ecological and stormwater assessments of three at-risk sites lead to a deeper understanding of suitable flood resilient green stormwater infrastructure designs.

The Biohabitats team assessed the feasibility of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) design retrofits at three sites in Yonkers, New York, that were identified as vulnerable to pluvial flooding. The sites included a public library, a technical high school, and a privately owned vacant lot where Groundwork Hudson Valley and property owners sough solutions to mitigate flooding and enhance ecological function. Biohabitats coordinated with site owners and stakeholders, conducted a brief desktop analysis of the selected sites, led a site assessment, and developed initial concept designs for GSI retrofits.

Biohabitats reviewed existing information and conducted site assessments for each of the three proposed sites to determine their suitability for GSI alternatives, analyze drainage patterns, and understand the existing vegetative and land cover. During the field investigations, Biohabitats met with stakeholders to identify priorities for site enhancement and explore opportunities. Based on the desktop and field assessments, Biohabitats evaluated a range of GSI approaches at each site. Through discussions with stakeholders, Biohabitats selected preferred alternatives to develop concept designs for GSI. The selected GSI alternatives included strategies that could be implemented by Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Green Team and stewardship crews as well as larger scale projects that would require contractor-led implementation.

The conceptual designs included high-level drainage area analyses to approximately size the GSI practice and development of plan view layouts and planting palettes. Biohabitats identified considerations for construction, next steps for site assessment and design, and developed rough order of magnitude cost estimates for each site. The information was compiled into project cut sheets that were used to communicate the design to stakeholders and secure funding for subsequent implementation phases, which Biohabitats is currently supporting.

This work supported a broader initiative by Groundwork Hudson Valley and local partners related to the implementation of the Yonkers Climate Action Plan by offering Yonkers residents opportunities to enhance flood resiliency and reduce combined sewer overflow events while positioning Yonkers to apply for and secure funding for future design and implementation of GSI practices.

TAGS

• Analysis+Planning
• Design
• Climate Adaptation + Resilience
• Resilient Water Systems