Evaluating Options for Green Infrastructure
on a Brownfield
Improving water quality along the South Platte River in Denver, Colorado
TO SOUTH
PIATT?
Project Summary
Community: Denver, Colorado
Technical Assistance: Green infrastructure
Former Use: Industrial Neighborhood
Future Use: Mixed-Use Residential Community
The Sun Valley neighborhood in Denver is adjacent to the
South Platte River. Historic industrial uses have left a
legacy of environmental contamination at sites within the
neighborhood, which continue to threaten the health of the
people and the ecology of the river. In addition, a
significant number of neighborhood residents live in
poverty conditions.
In 2010, the city and county of Denver developed a
Brownfields Area-Wide Plan to help improve neighborhood
conditions along the South Platte River and ultimately
enhance public health and community value. The Sun
Valley residential redevelopment vision includes a high-
density, mixed-income rental and ownership community,
as well as mixed-use commercial space. A primary goal is
to rebuild the community with features that promote social
and environmental sustainability, with the environmental
components focusing on stormwater conveyance and
treatment.
The Community's Challenge
To carry out the area-wide redevelopment plan, the city
and county of Denver needed help minimizing
contaminant runoff from Sun Valley's brownfield sites,
while implementing sustainable environmental solutions.
EPA's Land Revitalization Technical Assistance
EPA's Land Revitalization Program provided contractor
assistance to evaluate green stormwater management
Concept Option: On-site detention and water quality: blue roof,
green roof, and green streets
For more information, contact Stacey Eriksen, EPA
Region 8 Brownfields Program, at
Eri ksen ,Stacev@epa .gov.
approaches that could be incorporated into the Sun Valley
redevelopment master plan. The contractor team
developed the Conceptual Green Infrastructure and
Drainage Options Report, which presents four stormwater
design alternatives that incorporate green infrastructure
techniques such as bioswales, green roofs, and blue
roofs. Each alternative includes a performance
assessment, cost estimate, and sustainability ranking to
be considered prior to implementation. A comparative
analysis verified that green infrastructure was a cost-
effective option.
EPA's technical assistance will allow the Sun Valley
community to effectively and sustainably manage on-site
and off-site stormwater and help reduce contaminant flow
into the South Platte River, improving water quality.
GREEN ROOF
PONDS
POROUS
PAVEMENT
PERFORATED
PIPE
HOSWAIE
GREEN TERRACE
COURTYARDS
PERFORATED
PIPE
United States
Environmental Protection
# * Agency
Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization
EPA Pub # 560-F-19-005-0

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