July 15, 2011

By Amy Cherry  

The 9,000 sq. foot storm water mitigation system in the Acme parking lot will capture 70 percent of rainfall to relieve the strain on the city's water supply and so much more.

Joe Matassino is the Director of Development for the Delaware Center for Horticulture.

"This project beautifies a neighborhood, improves air quality, protects our water supply, and also provides an economic benefit to a business," says Matassino.

Frank Piorko with DNREC says this project includes more than a dozen large shade trees, 2,800 shrubs and plants, and a valuable rain garden.

"One of the components of the site is a 2,000 sq. foot rain garden, filled with soil that drains quickly and deep rooted in native plants and grasses that naturally absorb water and filter pollutants," says Piorko.

And that's all without getting rid of any of those crucial parking spots.