The Valentine Neighborhood Association has been informed that our Public Improvements Advisory Committee (PIAC) request to upgrade the street closing on Washington Street has been approved. The committee has approved $110,000 to fund both design and construction. The design and other preparations are likely to take up most of the year, so construction may not happen until 2026.
The photos below from Wikipedia show a drain swale photographed by the National Resources Conservation Service and an urban bioswale.
The street closing was part of the Uptown renovation project in 2000. The purpose was to prevent Uptown attendees from driving around the block looking for parking. The design did not effectively manage the stormwater runoff from Washington Street so silt and debris accumulated at the south curb. The solar powered balusters have been damaged and haven’t worked for decades.
Our request was to upgrade the street closing to align with the city’s Green Infrastructure initiative and to handle the runoff from Washington Street as a bioretention facility such as a rain garden. It could also be used to handle the runoff from the Uptown Theater roof and parking which currently flows into Valentine Road.
We have not yet met with the designers or engineers, but the estimate included funds for a “drain swale”. A swale is a sort of shallow drainage ditch. Unlike roadside drainage ditches that are deep and narrow, swales are shallow and wide to slow the runoff and allow it to permeate the ground, reducing the amount that enters the sewer system. Vegetation can be added to create a bioswale that helps remove debris and pollution.
We are looking forward to working with the city on this project. We will keep you informed of all progress, planning, and opportunities for involvement.