Update on Cosgrove Storm Water Project

Update: Approximately 70 people attended an educational luncheon about the St. Ambrose stormwater management project, Tuesday, June 21. Paul Loete of MSA Professional Services gave a presentation, followed by a tour by Jim Hannon, physical plant director. 

Scroll down to "Related" for new media stories.

Story:
Not only is it difficult to maneuver around and through campus, but a good portion of it is unrecognizable due to major earth work, ground preparation, and pipe installation.

The gradient of land running north and south from Ambrose Hall to the football field is undergoing significant modification as part of a storm water improvement project that includes Cosgrove Parking Lot. The land used to slope towards Hayes Hall, but when the project is finished, it will dip slightly away from the building.

The plan to alleviate flooding in and around campus has been in the works for more than 10 years. Money was secured for the $1.85 million project from the university, the City of Davenport, and through a grant from the Watershed Improvement Board of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Retention pipes will be installed under the Cosgrove Parking Lot and have the capacity to hold 1,010,000 gallons of storm water. During an extreme weather event-much like ones in the past where flooding has occurred in front of Ambrose Hall on Locust Street and in the the Cosgrove Lot-those pipes will fill up. Instead of flooding the lot, however, the excess water will flow out through 48-inch pipes running north and south in-between Ambrose and Cosgrove halls (pictured at left).

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, take a look at the pictures online where you'll be able to see what the project looked like when it started and what it looks like today.