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South Ellerbe Restoration Project
Concept Plan Rendering
The site at 808 West Trinity Avenue will be transformed into a constructed wetland and stream restoration that will filter polluted stormwater from part of downtown and nearby neighborhoods. This restoration will benefit both the community and the environment by increasing green space, improving water quality, and improving aquatic life in South Ellerbe Creek.
Stormwater & GIS Services has been working on watershed planning and restoration efforts in several major watersheds in the City. This project is in the Ellerbe Creek Watershed which drains to Falls Lake. The restoration will help the City meet the Falls Lake Nutrient Strategy, which requires the City to reduce nutrients from both new building projects and from older parts of the city. While Durham's Stormwater Performance Standards for Development govern new building projects, parts of the city were built before those rules were in place. This restoration offers a unique chance to filter rain runoff in an urban area that was developed before the City’s stormwater rules were in place.
For information regarding the South Ellerbe Restoration Project, contact Sandra Wilbur.
Project Status Reports & Information
- Functions and Benefits of Constructed Wetlands (PDF)
- Functions and Benefits of Constructed Wetlands Video (YouTube)
- South Ellerbe Restoration Project Concept Plan Rendering (October 2020) (PDF)
- Project Status Report #1 (PDF)
- Project Status Report #2 | April 2018 (PDF)
- Project Status Report #3 | May 2022 (PDF)
- South Ellerbe Restoration Project - Video #1 (YouTube)
- Frequently Asked Questions (February 2022) (PDF)
Project Survey Information
Public Info Session #1: July 27, 2017
- Public Information Session #1 Presentation | July 27, 2017 (PDF)
- Public Information Session #1 Video Recap (YouTube)
- 1950 Historic Durham Map (PDF)
Public Info Session #2: September 27, 2017 (Design Workshop)
- Design Workshop Presentation | September 27, 2017 (PDF)
- Public Meetings Summary | January 2018 (PDF)
- Design Workshop Video Recap (YouTube)
- Directions for Workshop Comments (PDF)
- Design Workshop Base Map | September 27, 2017 (PDF)
- Inspiration Board #1: Trails, Boardwalk, Recreation & Overlooks | September 27, 2017 (PDF)
- Inspiration Board #2: Natural Areas, Vegetation & Wildlife Habitat | September 27, 2017 (PDF)
- Inspiration Board #3: Educational Opportunities & Public Art | September 27, 2017 (PDF)
- Inspiration Board #4: A Watershed Perspective of the Project | September 27, 2017 (PDF)
- Map: A Watershed Perspective of the Project | September 27, 2017 (PDF)
- Map: Stormwater Retrofits in the Watershed | September 27, 2017 (PDF)
- Case Studies | September 27, 2017 (PDF)
Public Info Session #3: April 2, 2018
- Public Info Session Presentation | April 2, 2018 (PDF)
- South Ellerbe Stormwater Project | Meeting Announcement (PDF)
- April 2, 2018-Public Information Session Recap Video (YouTube)
- Concept Plan Renderings | April 2018 (PDF)
Public Info Session #4: May 2, 2022
Project Status: Ongoing
The City is constructing the South Ellerbe Restoration Project in phases. The first construction phase, the building demolition, was completed in late 2018. The “TECHNICAL INFORMATION” tab lists further details about the demolition (SP-2017-01).
Phase two will complete the site demolition and a large part of the soil removal. This phase involves removing the existing parking lot and building foundation (approximately 2 acres of impervious area) and the top 2-3 feet of soil across the entire site. Project staff is working to find a suitable site for soil disposal.
The third phase will be the wetland and stream restoration construction. The design team is currently working on the wetland and stream restoration design, permit applications and utility relocation plans. The wetland and stream restoration construction phase will take place after the soil removal phase.
For more information on the project phases, please see the South Ellerbe Restoration Project Status Update (PDF) issued February 25, 2021.
City Staff are always happy to take any input or suggestions for the project at any time. Please email Sandra Wilbur with any input, suggestions, or question about the project.
PRESS RELEASES
- July 10, 2017 Public Information Session #1 (PDF)
- September 14, 2017 Public Information Session #2 (Design Workshop) (PDF)
- March 13, 2018 Public Information Session #3 (PDF)
- January 30, 2019 ’A Clean Water Habitat’ Public Art (PDF)
- April 12, 2022 'Durham Hosts South Ellerbe Restoration Project Public Information Session' (PDF)
UPDATES
- February 25, 2021 South Ellerbe Restoration Project Status Update (PDF)
BULL CITY TODAY EPISODES
- Feb 13, 2019 (ep. 531) ’Clean Water Habitat’ Public Art
- Oct 17, 2019 (ep. 708) South Ellerbe Restoration Project Update
- Jan 24, 2022 (ep. 924) South Ellerbe Restoration Project Phase 2 Construction update
- May 6, 2022 (ep 998) South Ellerbe Restoration Project (May 2 2022 Public Information Session)
- June 14, 2022 (ep1025) South Ellerbe Public Art
SP-2021-02 South Ellerbe Project Phase 2 - Site Demolition & Mass Grading
Phase 2 involves the demolition and removal of the building foundation and hardscape, debris removal, and mass grading activities for the South Ellerbe Restoration Project.
- SP-2021-02 Bid Information
- Notice of Intent to Award Contract SP-2021-02 (December 21, 2021)
- SP-2021-02 Bid Tabulation
- Bull City Today: South Ellerbe Restoration Project Phase 2 Construction update (January 24, 2022)
- Notice To Proceed for South Ellerbe Phase 2 (February 24, 2022)
SP-2017-01 South Ellerbe Restoration Project Building Demolition
The demolition of the building was the first phase of construction for the South Ellerbe Restoration Project. Demolition was completed in 2018.
- Project Manual (PDF)
- Notice To Proceed, Issued April 12, 2018
- Notice of Final Completion, Issued December 13, 2018
- Bid Information
- Contact: Megan Walsh 919-560-4326 x.30220, [email protected]
South Ellerbe Restoration Project Information from Feasibility Phase (2012-2015)
- South Ellerbe Wetland Concept Plan (2012; PDF)
- Former Duke Diet and Fitness Center Site with Floodplain and Floodway Areas (PDF)
- Feasibility Study for a Stormwater Retrofit at Former Duke Diet and Fitness Center (2012; PDF)
- Proposed Stormwater Control Measure Retrofit at Former Duke Diet and Fitness Center Site Technical Memo (2012; PDF)
- Phase I - Environmental Site Assessment (2011; PDF, 38 MB)
- Limited Phase II (2013; PDF)
- Additional Soil and Groundwater Assessment (2015; PDF)
- City Council approved acquisition of the property at 808 W. Trinity Avenue at the October 19, 2015 City Council Meeting.
Related Information
- City of Durham Ellerbe Creek Watershed Information
- City of Durham Ellerbe Creek Watershed Improvement Plan
- Falls Lake Nutrient Strategy
- Durham Watersheds (PDF)
- What Are Stormwater Control Measures (PDF)
- EPA’s Functions and Values of a Wetland (External Link)
- NCDEQ Wetland Minimum Design Criteria (External Link)
- Urban Waterways Series: Mosquito Control for Stormwater Facilities (NCSU, 2005) (PDF)
Información del Proyecto
La División de los Servicios de Aguas Pluviales y GIS del Departamento de Obras Públicas se está preparando para la construcción de un proyecto ubicado en 808 W Trinity Ave. El proyecto transformará el área en un hábito natural para restaurar el arroyo, sus humedales y controlar las aguas pluviales. El proyecto reducirá la contaminación, mejorará la biodiversidad, capturará el carbono, agregará espacios verdes, y ayudará a la vida acuática de South Ellerbe Creek y Falls Lake.
La División de los Servicios de Aguas Pluviales y GIS del Departamento de Obras Públicas ha estado evaluando y planificando proyectos que restaurarán la salud de importantes cuencas hidrográficas en la ciudad. Este proyecto se encuentra en la cuenca hidrográfica de Ellerbe Creek, que drena hasta Falls Lake. El proyecto ayudará a la ciudad a cumplir con las regulaciones estatales que protegen la calidad del agua de Falls Lake. Las regulaciones requieren un programa de gestión que ayude a prevenir y controlar la contaminación de los edificios nuevos y antiguos. Muchos sectores de la ciudad fueron construidos antes de que se promulgaran las reglas que requerían el tratamiento de las aguas pluviales de nuevos proyectos de construcción. Este proyecto de restauración ofrece una oportunidad única para filtrar la escorrentía de las lluvias en un área con muchas urbanizaciones.
Para más información, por favor consulte los siguientes recursos o envíe un correo electrónico a [email protected].
- Actualización del Proyecto de Restauracíon de South Ellerbe - Mayo de 2022 (PDF)
- Funciones y Beneficios de los Pantanos Artificiales (PDF)
- Un video sobre pantanos artificiales (YouTube)
- Hoja informativa del proyecto South Ellerbe | Septiembre de 2019 (PDF)
- Mas informatión sobre la proxima taller de planear para la proyecto para restaurar naturalmente las aquas pluviales de South Ellerbe | Abril de 2018 (PDF)
- Postal en espanol y ingles (PDF)
Contact Us
-
Paul Wiebke
Assistant Director of Public Works, StormwaterDonald Perry
Manager, Stormwater InfrastructureSandra Wilbur
Manager, Stormwater Special ProjectsMichelle Woolfolk
Manager, Stormwater QualityAkinrotimi Akinola
Manager, Stormwater Development Review101 City Hall Plaza
Durham, NC 27701Phone: (919) 560-4326
Report Stormwater Pollution: Call
(919) 560-SWIM or submit a report.
Both are anonymous.
Stay Informed
Get project updates on Twitter @DurhamStormH2O and Facebook @Durhamncstormwater
Check out our YouTube Channel CityofDurhamNC
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Service request:
Click or call 919-560-1200