Wyandotte High/Lombardy Drive Green Infrastructure Project

Construction will occur in the approximate area bounded by North 20^th Street on the east, Westview Drive on the west, Armstrong Avenue on the north, and Elizabeth Avenue on the south. The scope of work involves installing roughly 1,200 feet of new storm sewer piping, new manholes, and 9 curb inlets for street runoff, and two vegetated stormwater basins.

The Lombardy Drive sewer separation project will cost about $4.5 million and is funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Sewer User Fund monies.

• Construction Funds from ARPA: $2,535,831.39
• Construction Funds from Sewer User Fund: $1,916,915.36

The Lombardy Drive sewer separation project bids were opened in December 2024, with construction starting in March 2025 and final completion by September 30, 2026.

Yes, as the contractor receives traffic control plans for road and lane closures, anticipated traffic impacts and schedules will be posted here.

Green infrastructure refers to a range of technologies that use plant or soil systems, permeable pavement or other permeable surfaces or substrates, stormwater harvest and reuse, or landscaping to store, infiltrate or evaporate stormwater and reduce flows to sewer systems or to surface waters. Green infrastructure provides habitat, flood protection, cleaner air, and cleaner water along with economic, environmental, health, and social benefits.

For this project, the technology chosen is dry detention basins, which are inundated during, and immediately following, storms. These basins will gradually dry in the 24-48 hours following a storm.

Landscaping within the extended dry detention basins at the Wyandotte High/Lombardy Drive project is designed to enhance both ecological function and visual appeal. Native and drought-tolerant plant species are strategically selected to stabilize soil, reduce maintenance needs, and support local biodiversity.

These plantings help slow and filter stormwater runoff, improving water quality before it enters downstream systems. Design of the dry detention basins adheres to Section 5606.7 of the 2025 updated APWA 5600 Stormwater Standards and selects plantings outlined for green infrastructure facilities. Additionally, the UG’s horticulturalist has been involved in planting selection. By integrating sustainable landscaping practices, the project not only meets stormwater management goals but also contributes to a greener, more attractive community space.

Photograph 1: Trash and Vegetation Cleanup (May 28, 2025)
This area was used for illegal dumping for many years. It became filled with trash and overgrown with invasive plants. The project team cleared the debris and thick overgrowth, helping to restore the site and improve how it looks. Cleaning up the area also helps protect the environment and public health. The remaining tires will be removed soon.

Photograph 2: Construction Progress in North Basin (May 28, 2025)
Construction is underway on the north detention basin. Crews from Amino Brothers are installing a new storm inlet near Orient Drive to help collect rainwater. They are also shaping the basin’s slopes and bottom to support drainage, and building a retaining wall along the north side to protect nearby land.

Photograph 3: North Basin Stabilization (May 28, 2025)
The upper slopes of the north basin have been reinforced to keep the structure safe and stable during construction.

Photograph 4: North Basin Stabilization (September 16, 2025)

The north basin has been planted with vegetation chosen to improve water quality and support long-term growth.

Photograph 4: North Basin Stabilization (September 16, 2025)
The north basin has been reshaped and planted with permanent grass to keep the area stable and guide stormwater toward the outlet.

On June 3, 2025, construction activities in the South Basin were temporarily paused. To date, $1,904,633.30 in ARPA funds have been spent on the project.

The remaining $631,198.09 in ARPA construction funds will be used along with General Obligation (GO) Bonds backed by sewer funds to complete the South Basin and storm sewer improvements on 22^nd Street. The continuation of the project is contingent upon the receipt of GO Bond debt funding.

Amino Brothers Co., Inc.