East Hills Council of Neighbors

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DEQ Stormwater Grant

The Department of Environmental Quality awarded a Clean Michigan Initiative grant to the East Hills Council of Neighbors. The grant, the first to be awarded to a neighborhood, supports Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s Cool Cities Initiative. The DEQ offered a Request for Proposals specifically targeted at Cool Cities catalyst grantees in October 2004.

The grant will result in the implementation of low-impact development techniques at four locations in East Hills. The DEQ demonstration sites will showcase stormwater solutions in the urban environment including green roofs, pervious paving, and bio-retention.

  • Diamond parking lot is no ordinary parking lot. This permeable asphalt project allows water to filter through the surface and into the soil, a natural filter.
  • The East Hills Center is a zero stormwater run-off site, the first ever in Grand Rapids. The project includes a vegetative roof, a rain garden and monitoring equipment.
  • 920 Cherry will incorporate Low Impact Development Practices and Energy Star Townhouses, changing the largest piece of vacant land in East Hills into a mixed-use development that will enhance the local economy and community, while respecting the environment.
  • The Helmus Building, formerly a Brownfield site has been renovated into a green building including a vegetative roof.

“The project will implement the type of storm water practices that we need in our urban and suburban watersheds,” said Director Chester. “Low impact development allows for economic growth and environmental protection to go hand in hand.”

Stormwater management is an ever-growing issue for municipalities, developers, communities and citizens. As impervious surfaces increase from new construction and infrastructure, stormwater runoff has fewer paths to infiltrate the soil and filter out contaminates. Untreated stormwater continues to pollute our pristine waterways, wreaking havoc on the natural ecosystem. The implementation of a rain garden system, three green roofs, and construction of three porous asphalt parking lots in East Hills is a step toward correcting the problem.

These unique projects are possible through a partnership between East Hills Council of Neighbors and Bazzani Associates. The East Hills and Bazzani partnership has been a primary force in sustainable development in our city, our state and our region. We are leading the way and these demonstration sites will help others see the value in sustainable development practices.