Village of Dundee Streetscape

WHAT WAS THE CHALLENGE?

The streets and sidewalks along the Village of Dundee’s core business district were struggling with flooding. Large amounts of impervious surfaces, coupled with lack of mitigation practices to control stormwater runoff, were found to be the cause. Green infrastructure (GI) was needed to alleviate flooding and enhance stormwater management, quality of life, and overall community safety.

HOW DID BARTON & LOGUIDICE PROVIDE A SOLUTION?

The Village received a grant through the New York State Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP) to assist with initial community revitalization improvements of GI focused elements. These included creating a gateway into the Village, incorporating traffic calming measures via bioretention curb bumpouts, capturing runoff through stormwater infiltration planters, installing new stormwater street trees, and improving pedestrian amenities. Various GI practices were designed to reduce the volume of untreated runoff to the tributary of Big Stream, relieving stress on the existing storm sewer system that was undersized to handle heavy rain events. The project also addressed the damage and safety hazards caused by standing water, pedestrian safety improvements, and assisted with reducing inflow/infiltration to the Village’s sanitary sewer system.

WHY WAS THE PROJECT A SUCCESS?

This project serves as an excellent, high-profile example of how to use green infrastructure technology to solve traditional stormwater management issues within a small village setting in the Finger Lakes area. The improvements connect with and support the Barrington/Starkey/Dundee Health Status Improvement Project known as Our Town Rocks (OTR), an initiative intended to improve the health status of area residents by promoting physical, economic, and social health. The Village of Dundee along with the Cornell Cooperative Extensions Master Gardeners continue to assist with the streetscape upkeep, plant maintenance, and community clean-up days.