Lafayette Park Outfall Flood Relief Project
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Lafayette Park Stormwater Outfall Flood Relief Project
The Lafayette Park Stormwater Outfall Flood Relief Project will reduce flooding in the vicinity of Williams Street, McDaniel Street, Martin Street and Miccosukee Road, all downstream (south) of Lafayette Park.
On April 13, 2009, City Stormwater Management held a community meeting to present several drainage improvement alternatives within Lafayette Park.
- A "Do nothing in Lafayette Park" concept - provided no flood relief
- An "Elevated Walkway" concept - provides the highest level of flood relief
- A "Tennis Court Wall" concept - provides a mid-level of flood relief
At this meeting the "Tennis Court Wall" concept received the most support and was selected as the most viable and balanced project alternative. The City has hired a Landscape Architect to further develop the "Tennis Court Wall" concept. The Landscape Architect has prepared a project concept report and preliminary concept drawings. The City is now seeking public input on project details, such as wall textures, colors, wall location, landscaping, etc., and will hold a public meeting on March 3, 2010 to receive further input.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Lafayette Park become a holding pond?
No, this area will not be a stormwater retention pond. The area upstream of the "tennis court wall" will remain in its natural condition. The purpose of the wall is to temporarily hold back a "flash flood" type of event, which will reduce the flooding that occurs on the tennis courts and areas downstream of Lafayette Park.
Will impounding water behind the "Tennis Court Wall" damage existing trees in Lafayette Park by suffocating their roots?
No. For the vast majority of rainfall events the depth and duration of the water will be unchanged. Only in intense rainfall events that would have overtopped and flooded the tennis courts will there be a change. The water behind the walls will be gone in less than 3 hours following a major rainfall event. Although not desirable, areas around Lake Ella remain under water for up to 10 days following a major rainfall, and the large oak trees, pines, and crepe myrtles around Lake Ella live under these conditions.
Will the wall be ugly?
The goal is to make the wall an amenity to the park. There are several possible wall textures, architectural elements, landscaping and other options that can be utilized which will make the wall attractive.
Will this project help reduce flooding at Leon High?
No. The Leon High School ball fields and parking areas are located in the Franklin Boulevard floodplain. This low-lying area or "bowl" receives runoff from over 400 acres. The contributing drainage basin to the Tennis Court Wall option is only 33 acres and therefore will not have an appreciable affect on the flooding at Leon High School.
When will this project be under construction?
Construction on the Lafayette Park Stormwater Outfall Flood Relief project could start as early as Fall 2010 and be completed as early as Summer 2011.