A team of Detroit nonprofits and businesses began work to launch an initiative focused on tackling Detroit’s storm water management. The project is designed to build upon revitalization efforts across the 300-block area surrounding Detroit’s Central High School while creating jobs for local residents.
In partnership with the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) at Central High School, the project will create sustainable jobs while addressing urban storm water issues. As the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) is launching a Green Infrastructure Credit Program for customers who reduce the peak flow and volume of storm water runoff on their property, this effort will help create a local workforce to support the adoption of storm water strategies.
Phase I will deploy a storm water management solution at the Central High School softball field that will improve field usability and safety. The ultimate objective is to expand the use of sustainable development at the school and in the surrounding neighborhood as a model for how a community can implement green infrastructure solutions that create local jobs and save money for property owners.
This initiative can be scaled and implemented for homes, schools, businesses and houses of worship throughout the city, which could reduce the rising storm water and drainage fees by up to 80%.
Fresh from leading a visionary 2016 effort in the community around Denby High School in Detroit, Life Remodeled, a Detroit non-profit led by Chris Lambert, will spearhead a $5 million community revitalization effort across the 300-blocks surrounding Central high school and will play a major role in bringing the workforce initiative to Central.
To help mitigate storm water issues around Central, Parjana Distribution, a Detroit based and global leader in systems based approaches to water management, will provide guidance, site design, and its Energy-passive Groundwater Recharge Product (EGRP). EGRP is a patented technology designed to accelerate the infiltration of storm water into the soil and away from storm drains.
According to the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), urban centers are becoming more vulnerable to flooding, heat waves and other hazards caused by increasing weather extremes.
“As the number and intensity of severe storms rise, flooding is a growing problem, closing roads, stranding cars, and causing damage to homes and businesses. Our goal is to help this community capture water when and where it falls,” said Greg McPartlin, CEO of Parjana Distribution. “Through this effort, we can help Detroit neighborhoods navigate the path to a sustainable, inclusive revitalization, while creating jobs and rebuilding for the 21st century and beyond.”
Walker-Miller Energy Services, a premier Detroit based energy and sustainability company lead by Carla-Walker-Miller, will manage the recruiting and training of Detroit based residents to re imagine how storm water is managed.
This project will also receive the gracious support of Tony Frabotta and Bill Kingsley of UHY LLP, a certified public accounting firm named one of Metro Detroit’s “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” in 2015 and a longtime PAL supporter.
“We’re bringing a whole new level of sustainability and imagination to the city of Detroit through this initiative,” Tim Richey, CEO of PAL said. “Not only will it create workforce development opportunities for residents, it will also help promote healthy, thriving communities and position Detroit as a global thought leader in workforce development, sustainability and water management.”
Parajana Distribution