In the 8th Avenue NW LID retrofit, the needs of the community were taken into account. Consultants were brought in to design raingardens for each homeowner to match their landscaping and maintenance preferences. Raingardens served as more than just stormwater installations—with the addition of signs they became a large-scale public education tool.
Before the retrofit, there were no stormdrains or ditches, and runoff from adjacent impervious surfaces (roofs, sidewalks, driveways, and the road) ponded throughout the neighborhood. The use of permeable asphalt, concrete, and pavers ensured that no stormwater drains had to be added. Not only did this keep the costs low, but it transformed a 100% impermeable area into a 100% permeable area. In addition to improving stormwater management in Puyallup WA, this project has given homeowners a sense of place increasing pride and connection throughout the neighborhood.
