Illinois School Adds Permeable Parking Lot

North High School in Downers Grove, Ill., is saving upwards of $40,000 in stormwater management costs by installing permeable pavers in its newly expanded parking lot.
Downers Grove Patch

An Illinois high school is saving taxpayers a bundle by installing permeable pavers in a newly enlarged parking lot.

North High School in Downers Grove, Ill., is getting an upgrade to its east parking lot, which district workers are expected to finish before school begins on August 27. Permeable pavers were selected for the surface for the lot, which was expanded by converting a grass field next to the original parking lot into a larger paved area. The decision to install permeable pavers is expected to save taxpayers between $40,000 to $100,000 in project costs.

''The decision to install permeable pavers was made for one reason: economics,'' said Marty Schack, the district's Director of Facilities. ''The types of pavers we are installing are the most advanced available on the market today, and are a really green solution.''

Installing permeable pavers allows the district to sidestep the requirement of an expensive stormwater retention system, as the pavers themselves will absorb and process the runoff from rain and snow into the ground below, as well as preventing overflow into the surrounding underground water systems. Maintenance will also be cheaper, since district staff will be able to make repairs to the pavers in lieu of hiring a more-expensive asphalt or concrete contractor.