LID DESIGN AT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN WORLD CULTURAL CENTER (AAWCC): MILWAUKEE, WI

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) conducted a Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Partnership Program to promote the development of innovative BMP applications that have potential use throughout the MMSD service area. Development of a preliminary stormwater management plan for the African American World Cultural Center (AAWCC) was selected for inclusion in the MMSD BMP Partnership Program. This plan provides appropriate management of stormwater quantity and peak rates of discharge, as defined by stringent MMSD and City of Milwaukee stormwater management criteria, while providing significant water quality benefits. A secondary goal of the plan is to provide on-site demonstration facilities and environmental enhancements that will support on-going AAWCC educational outreach programs. Low Impact Development (LID) applications selected for use in the AAWCC LID plan include pervious pavement, grass swales, rain gardens, a green roof, a wetland, and an underground cistern. The hydrologic/hydraulic analysis of the existing and proposed conditions of the AAWCC / Johnsons Park site using XP-SWMM 2000TM concludes that the 2-, 10-, and 100-year storm peak flows are properly attenuated by the proposed LID facilities. A preliminary site-planting plan was developed that emphasized the use of native plant species in the grass swales, rain gardens, and wetland planting zones. An AAWCC / LID facility educational (tri-fold) brochure was also developed to support public information programs being conducted by the AAWCC and MMSD. Final fundraising is currently underway with final design and construction of the AAWCC facility at Johnson Park planned for fall 2004.