Beginning in 2017, J-U-B ENGINEERS was selected by Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities (SLCDPU) to conduct a feasibility study to design a constructed wetland as an end of line treatment option for storm water discharged into the Jordan River at 1000 N. and Cornell Street, in which a significant land area including some major roads and a few residential and business areas drain into the Jordan River. TLG facilitated the community engagement during the feasibility including engagement with community members, community organizations, city and community councils, and collaboration with Salt Lake City’s Parks and Public Lands Department. The Langdon Group’s engagement and study process provided critical insight in design while also developing trust among community members and coordinating agencies, garnering public buy in on the project leading to smooth stakeholder interactions throughout construction.
Five acres of adjacent city property was made available. This provided a unique opportunity to look at creating a community amenity while improving water quality. The Jordan River is a 51-mile-long river that flows from Utah Lake through the Salt Lake Valley until it empties into the Great Salt Lake. Efforts to improve the water quality on the long-blighted river have been underway by agencies and conservation organizations for years. A TMDL study with pending load allocations is the driving force and Paul Taylor, J-U-B Project Manager, saw an opportunity for Salt Lake City to lead out in making improvements prior to new load allocations coming in the next couple of years.
Bringing in the adjacent property, required that some additional city departments get involved. Over the course of the study, J-U-B and The Langdon Group (TLG) conducted key stakeholder interviews, community council presentations, and a design charrette to identify opportunities where water treatment and community amenity overlapped, identify issues of concern from community members, and evaluate treatment alternatives.
“How often do you get a community excited about building a treatment facility in their neighborhood. They can’t wait until the facility opens,” Paul Taylor
J-U-B’s project team was also positioned to identify community concerns early to allow the project team and city to explore and problem solve. For example, site safety and deterring crime was a common concern among stakeholders. This provided the opportunity for the project team to consult with the Salt Lake City Police department on Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) standards, significantly altering the landscaping in the final design concept.
The Result – The Rose Park – Jordan River Watershed Project design features many green infrastructure elements designed to restore some of the natural processes required to manage water and create healthier urban environments ultimately to:
Improve the storm water treatment including:
- Updated lift station pumps
- New hydrodynamic separator to remove a number of water pollutants
- Waterfall aeration to add much needed oxygen to the water
- Expanded natural wetland and riparian area considered green infrastructure to further treat water before it enters the Jordan River
Enhance existing open space area featuring:
- Storm water treatment demonstration areas featuring green infrastructure best practices; rain garden, biofilter and vegetated swale.
- Outdoor classroom including a conceptual model of the Salt Lake City watershed from the mountains to the Great Salt Lake
- Expanded flood plain to better accommodate large storm events
- Elevated ADA accessible boardwalk and observation deck
- New canoe and kayak launch accessible from the east side of the river
- Realigned Jordan River Parkway trail
- Relocated bike pump track
- Some tree removals and new tree plantings
J-U-B and TLG’s engagement and study process provided critical insight in design while also developing trust among community members and coordinating agencies while also leading to additional opportunities for similar projects to improve water quality along the Jordan River.
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