Project Location - 1000 North Cameron Street between Herr and State Streets, City of Harrisburg.

Existing Conditions - Prior to development, a majority of the site was barren ground with some herbaceous vegetation (approximately half of which was invasive). More than 50% of the 10-acre proposed building site will be impervious. Large amounts of impervious cover, a common problem in urban areas, can lead to significant increases in pollutant runoff and streambank erosion, as well as a loss of groundwater recharge. Treating stormwater runoff onsite can reduce these negative effects on streams.

Without proper management, stormwater runoff from an 117,391 square foot roof, over 300 parking spaces, and a tractor trailer docking station would flow directly towards Paxton Creek.

Project Overview - The project involves rehabilitation of a brownfield area undergoing commercial development, through conservation landscaping, biofiltration, rehabilitation of riparian habitat and establishment of a “greenspace.” This project will be used to explore the use of economic incentives, as well as outreach and education tools, to reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff from commercially controlled lands.

Project Activities - SRBC and PCWEA are working with Cameron Management Inc. and its consultants, and a landscape architect to manage stormwater onsite using three biofiltration gardens: Garden Area #1 Collect and filter runoff from the north parking lot adjacent to Herr Street. The garden will be used to slow stormwater flow velocities and promote pollutant removal through filtration

Garden Area #2
Collect and filter runoff from the truck docking station located at the south side of the building. The garden will be used to slow stormwater flow velocities and promote pollutant removal through filtration

Garden Area #3
Collect and filter runoff from the south parking lot, and include a 200 foot long vegetated drainage swale (bio-swale) located parallel to the western edge of the south parking lot