The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) has its work cut out for it this summer.
MWMO and the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) have begun the final phase of the stormwater infrastructure project at Columbia Park Golf Course. This last phase, due to be complete in June, will convert the northwest stormwater basin to an ecologically enhanced stormwater pond with new native plantings.
According to MPRB, residents can expect to see an increase in truck traffic in and out of the basin from approximately mid-May to mid-June. Roads will all remain open during construction; however, temporary lane closures on 5th Street NE may be necessary as crews bring in heavy equipment. Workers will be on hand to direct traffic. The bike trail and pedestrian path along 5th Street NE will detour to the west side of the street for a portion of the project. Golfing won’t be affected.
At Xcel Energy’s new Marshall Operations Center, MWMO has led the charge in creating an office campus with many ways to handle stormwater runoff. The site on the corner of Marshall Street and St. Anthony Parkway was once a brickyard, and was later used to store coal ash.
As part of the construction project, Xcel removed contaminated material from the site and replaced it with clean, sandy soil with high infiltration rates. Infiltration basins, structured rain-gardens, vegetated swales and pretreatment structures were located throughout the site and together will remove an estimated 95% of phosphorus and sediment from the site’s stormwater runoff, protecting the nearby Mississippi River. The stormwater treatment systems treat runoff from the Soo Line Railroad.
MWMO said the redeveloped site will serve as a connection between several existing prairie and woodland habitat areas. Invasive or undesirable species will be also removed from the existing tree stand on the west end of the property. No-mow grass seed was also selected for the site to help reduce site irrigation and fertilizer needs. Xcel consulted with MPRB to select a variety of tree species.
Xcel Energy plans to build a walking path through the prairie, a patio area near the stormwater features and a “gateway area” on the corner of Marshall Street NE and St. Anthony Parkway to welcome the public with bike and pedestrian connections.
Interpretive signs will describe and educate employees and guests on the stormwater and habitat features at the company’s new training center.
Xcel Energy’s new Marshall Operations Center features many ways to channel and cleanse stormwater runoff. (Photo provided by MWMO)
