Sustainable Streetscape Designed by Elmhurst Firm Will Be Profiled by Larry King Monday

It's only about 2.7 square miles with a population of about 2,500, but a little town in Iowa called West Union is sharing some ground-breaking environmental and stormwater management procedures that could be widely adopted—maybe even in Elmhurst.

The pilot program in West Union is even hitting the airwaves nationally. At 6 a.m. Monday, May 6, host Larry King profiles West Union's pilot streetscape project on the Discovery Channel.

There already is an Elmhurst connection to West Union. The company that designed and implemented the town's stormwater management and geothermal systems, Conservation Design Forum, is based right here in Elmhurst. Conservation Design Forum was founded by Elmhurst resident Jim Patchett; former Elmhurst Alderman Ann Tranter is business development leader at the company.

In 2011, the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the community of West Union received the President's Award for Innovation for the project from the Council of State Community Development Agencies. CDF incorporated:

• six blocks of porous paving that will filter, clean and cool storm water onsite
• 36,000 square feet of rain gardens
• geothermal heating and cooling system connected to 60 downtown buildings
• LED street lights
• building energy audits and energy efficiency incentives
• electric vehicle charging stations
• improved walkability and accessibility
• upper-story housing
• public art
• increased community awareness of sustainability practices
• a plaza for community gatherings

In the wake of severe flooding in 2008, 2010 and now, 2013, CDF principals believe these techniques can be employed in Elmhurst to reduce flooding and take advantage of rainwater as a resource rather than disposing of it like a waste product.

In contrast to traditional stormwater engineering practices designed to direct water away from where it falls, CDF principals maintain that rainwater management can be cost effective, and can clean, diffuse and absorb water where it falls, restoring the historical patterns of groundwater-dominated hydrology and water quality. They say this also results in reduction of water runoff and flooding, water quality enhancement of surface and groundwater systems, reduction or elimination of conventional storm sewer systems and traditional stormwater detention basins, increased longevity of infrastructure and reduced maintenance and operating costs.

In its 19-year history, CDF has led the design of many sustainable initiatives, including serving as lead designer for Chicago City Hall’s green roof, and additional green streets projects in Iowa and Illinois.

More on this:

• Conservation Design Forum Takes its Ideas for Stormwater Management to Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon
• Local Company Seeks To Solve City's Flooding Woes by Treating Rain Water as a Resource
• Local Company Part of Award-Winning Project
• Alderman Tackles Stormwater Issues in Her Own Little Corner of Elmhurst

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