Affinia Healthcare will soon break ground on two amended soils areas, one previous concrete area, and four rain gardens at its 1717 Biddle St. location.
St. Louis Project Clear Large Stormwater Grants Program, a Metropolitan Sewer District initiative, is funding the project, which includes installing ‘rainscaping’ site improvements that reduce flooding and manage stormwater runoff.
Rainscaping is the use of natural vegetation and systems to manage rainwater.
Rain gardens are bowl-shaped gardens that capture and clean rainwater using native plants and special soils. The amended soils areas are mixed with compost and planted with native vegetation. The pervious concrete area will provide a location for parking the mobile medical and dental units.
“This project is an opportunity to improve our property by offering access to beautiful natural spaces on-site and contribute to citywide efforts to be better stewards of our environment,” said Chris Overmann, assistant vice president of operations and new business development.
The project was developed by Greenprint Partners, which has assisted other organizations with similar projects.
“Rainscaping reduces local flooding, manages stormwater runoff and helps reduce pollution that would otherwise flow into the Mississippi River,” said Greenprint Partners Associate Engineer Lucy Kopchak.
“The amended soil areas and rain gardens help absorb rainwater, allowing it to drain directly into the soil.”
Construction is expected to be completed by October 2025.