Location Map - Utica NY

Genesee St. Green Infrastructure Projectrust2green utica

0 1000 ft500 750250

N

Blandina St.Bank Pl.

Hopper St.

Was

hing

ton

St.

Bro

adw

ay

Court St.

Cor

nelia

St.

Cor

nelia

St.

Genessee St.

Cornelia Pl.

Court St.

Union

St.

King S

t.

South St.

Columbia St.

Stanley Theater

Radisson

Hotel

City

Hal

l

Streets Blocks Major ParkingAreas

BuildingFootprints

Project Extents

What is Stormwater? 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, storm-water 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 rain-storm, a mixture of stormwater and raw sewage are dumped into the Mohawk River to prevent over-loading of the city’s wastewater treatment facilities.

What is Green Infrastructure? 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 infra-structure 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.

Sizing and Site Considerations 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 im-permeable 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:

WQv = ((P) (Rv) (A)) / 12

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 wholenumber percent impervious cover at the site (ex. 25, not .25)A = site area (in acres)

Stormwater ToxinsNitrogen and PhosphorusNitrogen 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 danger-ously 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.

Fecal Coliform BacteriaFecal 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.

SedimentsSediments 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.

Petroleum CompoundsThe most common source of petroleum compounds in stormwater are automobiles. These com-pounds are generally toxic to humans and animals in low doses and can also clog drains leading to increased maintenance.

Metals - Lead, Copper, Zinc, CadmiumMetals 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 (par-ticularly fish) toxic. They can also interfere with reproductive cycles of certain animals and contami-nate drinking water. The source of these metals are most often automobiles and machinery.

Adirondack Park

Mohawk River Watershed

Utica

Catskill Park

NYC

Mohawk and Hudson River Watershed

People

Environment Economics

Bearable Equitable

Viable

Sustainability

Goals and Sustainability

Create a vibrant and enjoyable streetscape for residents of Utica

Create spaces that will attract businesses to downtown Utica and

generate greater economic opportunity

Improve water quality by treating stormwater along Genesee st.

060

$

Water 300,000

Urban 700,000

Forest5,000,000

Total Acreage:8,000,000

Agriculture2,000,000

Utica

Watershed Location Map

120M

iles

Project Overview

N

Pocket park

City events display board

Bus stop shelter

Curb bumpout stormwater retrofit

Proposed tree lawn

Curb extension retrofit

Rain garden planters

New foundation plantings

Radisson Hotel

Paver band

Rain garden planters6’ x 16’

Space for cafe style seating

Pavers create plaza like feel

Genessee St.

Was

hing

ton

St.

Blandina St.

Bank Pl.

Radisson

Hotel

Carlile Building

Genessee St.

Hopper St.

Court St.

Stanley Theater

0

1000 ft

500

750

250

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 ad-ditional 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 be-tween. This way they wont hinder people getting in and out of their cars. Finally, we proposed retrofitting several areas within the parking lot adja-cent to the Stanley theater to treat stormwater generated there.

Curb cut inlet

Existing catch basin elevation

reset to provide for potential overflow

Settlement slab

Dense shrub plantings

Existing street lamp

New foundation plantings

Radisson Hotel

Primary treatment area with 3 street

tree plantings

Each 6’ x 16’ Rain garden planter can filter approxi-mately 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 accumu-late 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 re-placed if dead or if health declines.

Green Infrastructure Maintenance

Small Street Tree

Dense shrub plantings

Existing street lamp

Sidewalk scupper allows water to drain from sidewalk

Underdrain to nearest catchbasin

Inlet/outlet with trench drain cover collects on

street stormwater

Storefront

Pavers at street edge

Impermeable liner protects building

foundations

Rain garden planter

Curb extension retrofit

Overflow scupper

Axonometric Details