City of Little Rock 311
Important Grant Announcement
Seal of Little Rock
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :
Sunday, Jul 08, 2012

Media Release

City of Little Rock Public Relations (501) 371-6801

Meg Matthews (501) 804-4822

Contact Information:

Meg Matthews

Public Relations Manager

mmatthews@littlerock.gov

(501) 804-4822

 

 

CITY OF LITTLE ROCK AWARDED EPA GRANT FOR DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

Little Rock’s Main Street to serve as a demonstration project for others to learn about low impact development and water quality

(Little Rock, AR) (July 9, 2012)  - The City of Little Rock was awarded a $900,000 federal grant today by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to work on a water quality demonstration project that will take place on Main Street. 

 

Randy Young, the Executive Director of the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, said, “This project has the potential to “set the bar” in the approach to managing runoff in urban areas by utilizing proactive environmentally sound practices and techniques that are aesthetically pleasing.”  This is the first project Green Infrastructure

project of its magnitude and diversity that has been funded in the Central Arkansas area. 

 

The project will include work in the 100, 200 and 500 blocks of Main Street to demonstrate the benefits of green infrastructure applications such as porous pavers, tree wells, rain gardens and other water filtration practices to enhance water quality.  It will restore some hydrologic connection within the urban environment while educating the community about such techniques and their benefits.

 

What: Press Conference to Announce EPA Grant

 

When: Monday, July 9th – 1:00 p.m.

 

Where: Corner of Main & 3rd Streets

 

Participants:  Mayor Mark Stodola

  Randy Young, the Executive Director of the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, Arkansas Well Water Commission

Sam Coleman, Acting Region Six Administrator, Environmental    Protection Agency

John Bacon, CEO, EStem Public Charter School

 

The details include:

  • The project will begin in July, 2012 and is scheduled to end in June, 2015.
  • Total project cost:  $1,578,959
    • Match:   $678,959
    • Federal:  $900,000

    For an educational component, the City of Little Rock will partner with eStem Public Charter School.  Students, at all levels, will use the project as a living laboratory to learn about water quality. 

     

    For more information, contact Caran Curry, Grant Manager at 952-5792 or Debbie Carreiro, Grant Coordinator, at 399-3447.

     

     

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  • Construction will start after August 2013