Michigan Schools Embracing Storm Water Design

 

Porous asphalt in this central Iowa parking lot allows storm water to infiltrate. In Michigan, the University of Michigan and Grand Valley State University have permeable parking lots. Delta College in Michigan is among the first community colleges in the state, if not the first, to adopt the technology. Delta’s environmentally friendly landscape architecture is designed by JJR, an Ann Arbor, Mich. firm.

The Delta College Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a $4.8 million project to rebuild two parking lots on the south side of the campus with permeable asphalt and bioswales, add a grassy area between them, and incorporate larger culverts and two retention areas.

The project design will go for final approval to the Department of Environmental Quality, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bay County Drain Commission before going out for bids. Construction is expected to being in May 2008.