Week 3

This week Dina Chammas, Tom Brooks, and I met to further discuss the project. Though we've decided to first focus on Site 3, there are still six additional sites to potentially factor in. We've agreed that the highest locations should be addressed first if possible. It is necessary for us to refer back to the Master Plan in order to ensure that both projects flow seamlessly and don't interfere with one another.

Bridge between Men's dorms and Argiro lower lot

After reviewing the seven sites again, three have been chosen as top priorities. There is an area adjacent to the lower gravel parking lot beside Argiro along the path to the Men's dorms that is basically an open ditch. Water flows into this area from several different places. It isn't designed to handle the amount of water it's currently receiving. In the pictures below, you can see what happens after just a brief (but heavy) storm. 

Lots of water after a rain

Standing water

Water flowing from road into open ditch

A major portion of the Master Plan involves turning the current Argiro parking lot into a ped mall. No cars will be allowed, as it is strictly for walking--and perhaps some biking. The hill in front of Argiro will have a water feature as well as an amphitheater. Due to its location, it could be beneficial for us to tie in the Crow Creek Project. In the event that construction schedules and budgets allow for it, implementing some sort of green infrastructure to mitigate the water in this area may be something we tackle during this project.

In front of Argiro

Site 3: Between Verrill Hall and Hildenbrand

Site 3 will be modified in two phases. The first phase will involve bringing in top soil to replace the broken up asphalt. We're discussing the possibility of implementing a design similar to the one we see on either side of the entrance at Argiro. An MUM alumni created a rain garden design that handles the rainwater that flows off the building. A rain garden would efficiently and sustainably mitigate the water currently causing problems in this area between Verrill Hall and Hildenbrand.

Argiro Rain Garden

Argiro Rain Garden

Two additional sites may be addressed later down the line if additional funds are available. At the men's dorms, or high rises, spouts have been disconnected and water now flows directly on top of the land. A retention basin is needed in the courtyard. Likewise, there are still downspouts on campus that need to be disconnected and some sort of infiltration basin needs to be implanted at the Frats. Currently, water overflows onto sidewalks and into the parking lot.

Ideally, the next week will entail some number crunching. We need accurate cost estimates for all of the work we'd like to complete as well as a general idea of how long the work will take. We should also be receiving the necessary information and guidance to move forward with the Memorandum of Understanding. Once we have this, along with the official sanitation system report, we should have a much better overall picture of the project and the goals it will achieve.