(Kansas City, Mo.) – KC Water will hold a media event on January 9, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. to demonstrate features of the new green infrastructure projects at the Kansas City VA Medical Center and the former Avenue of Life building.
In an effort to reduce stormwater volume and sanitary sewer overflow, KC Water created a more environmentally friendly solution by building a green space where the water can soak into the ground rather than be carried down the pavement and into the combined sewers. A brief demonstration at the event will show how this process works.
WHEN: January 9, 2019, at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: KCVA Medical Center, 4801 Linwood Blvd. Kansas City, MO
*Across the street from the construction site, located at the corner of POW MIA Dr. and Veterans Pkwy on the grounds of the VA Medical Center. Please park in parking area near building B or inside construction site fence. Look for “Event Parking” signs.
This project includes a new walking trail and park area on the grounds of the VA Medical Center and installation of new storm pipes.
“This is going to be a remarkable addition to the VA Medical Center as friends and relatives enjoy a beautiful area to visit with patients. It’s also going to reduce stormwater runoff and downstream sanitary sewer overflows as we create a natural path for stormwater to follow,” said KC Water Director, Terry Leeds.
Also included in this green infrastructure project are:
- Three retention basins to hold additional water during rain fall
- A bio-swale to guide stormwater and remove debris from it
- A drainage channel with weirs to control the flow of water
- Native plants
At the former Avenue of Life building, KC Water will dispose of the old mattresses and springs on the property, remove the broken concrete, and create an orchard of fruit trees and additional green space.
The entire project area is north of Linwood, south of E. 35th Street, east of Brighton Ave. and west of Lister Ave and includes the Avenue of Life building and Linwood Green Park. Construction began October of 2019 and will continue until the fall of 2020.
This project is one of many green projects under KC Water’s Smart Sewer program. In 2010, the City of Kansas City, Missouri entered into a Consent Decree with the United States Environmental Protection Agency to reduce the volume of overflows into the City’s sewer system. KC Water’s Smart Sewer program is a 25-year plan to address this very challenge.
To date, there have been 18 green infrastructure projects completed around the city since 2007 and many more are underway. More information about completed projects can be found here.
For more information contact Heather Frierson, KC Water Media Relations Coordinator, at heather.frierson@kcmo.org 816-513-0280, cell 816-674-0211.
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KC Water maintains and operates water treatment and distribution systems, stormwater management systems, and wastewater collection and treatment systems for residential and business customers in Kansas City and for wholesale customers in the Kansas City area. KC Water is primarily funded by fees charged to customers based on their use or impacts on the three utility systems.
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