Land Reviialization Success Stories | EPA 560-F-l 8-004
June 2018
Planning for Sustainable Brownfield Redevelopment
IMPROVING NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY AND STORMWATER
OVERFLOW THROUGH OPEN SPACE DESIGN
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, EPA REGION 7
The Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD)
green infrastructure plan was developed to
alleviate stormwater backup and overflow
issues throughout the Bissel Point
Watershed. In support of the plan, the Green
City Coalition (GCC) developed a GIS-based
Vacancy Demolition Prioritization Model
(VDPM) to prioritize investments made by
the city of St. Louis to remove impervious
surfaces, with an emphasis on removing	Figure I. Final design concept for the 9-acre proposed open space area within the Wells
abandoned structures. The Wells Goodfellow Goodfe/low neiahborhood.
neighborhood has the highest concentration
of vacant properties in the city, and is the focus of this project, neighborhood has
experienced significant economic decline, resulting in high vacancy of residential
parcels and building disrepair, as well as illegal dumping and other criminal activity.
In August 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Land
Revitalization Team worked with the city and local partners to develop a design for
approximately 9 acres of semi-contiguous vacant parcels in the Wells Goodfellow
neighborhood. The Wells Goodfellow Neighborhood Green Space project plan seeks
to convert vacant and abandoned properties (both vacant lots and buildings) into
community open space that incorporates native vegetation and green infrastructure
features. The ecologically rich open space created by the project will increase the
community's capacity to manage stormwater overflow, and tackle extensive
vacancy. The new community greenspaces are intended to help catalyze local
redevelopment opportunities and create healthy community gathering places.
In November 2017, the EPA Land Revitalization Team conducted a series of
stakeholder visioning workshops over three days to gather community input and
feedback on initial design concepts. Community members helped create a final
design that incorporates the community's desire to improve safety, increase sight
lines through the neighborhood, decrease dark areas, and maintain access for
residents and municipal services. Specific design concepts throughout the 9 -acre
area include outdoor art spaces, a natural playground, a green amphitheater, native
plantings, low-growing trees, and stormwater retention basins.
With a complete schematic design of the area, GCC and its partners will be able to
better communicate the vision for this greenspace. Once decisions are made on
which elements, key features, and design details will be part of the project, GCC will
advance the design for specific nodes within the nine-acre area (based on funding).
The EPA Land Revitalization Team also developed three design templates to
support green infrastructure development on standard-size St. Louis residential lots
where the structures have been demolished. The templates were designed for a single stand-alone lot, two contiguous lots, and three contiguous
lots. They outline greenspace improvements and green infrastructure features that are low-cost to install and maintain, and can provide a visual aid
demonstrating how greenspace can be developed on vacant lots across St. Louis.
These templates can help neighborhoods with significant vacancy improve aesthetics, reduce stormwater runoff, improve stormwater quality, reduce
illegal dumping, and address public safety concerns, while waiting for future capital investment. GCC and its partners will be able to share these
templates with city departments and other project partners to demonstrate how initial investment in landscaping could be an interim step to
transforming these vacant lots over time.
LESSONS LEARNED
Open communication with adjacent project
partners helps create continuity in designs
and site planning.
Early community engagement helps identify
key project goals early in the planning
process.
Simple, cost-effective design concepts can
best utilize resources across a large area.
Design plans help visually demonstrate
investment opportunities and long term
transformations.
PLANNED POST-TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
ACTIVITIES
•	A partnership with Washington University will
help inform decisions about native planting
elements.
•	Additional demolition within the nine-acre
area will occur with MSD funding.
•	Continue identifying possible partners and
funders for the project, including local
foundations.
•	Continue dialogue and outreach with
community residents to develop further support
for the design concept and future
implementation of design elements.
For more information, please contact David Doyle, EPA Region 7 at dovle.david@epa.gov.

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