South Ellerbe Restoration Project
For the latest information on the South Ellerbe Restoration Project, view the status update - February 25, 2021 (PDF)
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, contact Sandra Wilbur, Megan Walsh, or Lance Fontaine.
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.
City Staff are always happy to take any input or suggestions for the project at any time. Please email Sandra.Wilbur@durhamnc.gov or megan.walsh@durhamnc.gov 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)
BULL CITY TODAY EPISODES
- Feb 13, 2019 (ep. 531) ’Clean Water Habitat’ Public Art
- Oct 17, 2019 (ep. 708) South Ellerbe Restoration Project Update
Project Status Reports & Information
- South Ellerbe Restoration Project Concept Plan Rendering (October 2020) (PDF)
- South Ellerbe Restoration Project | Project Status Report #1 (PDF)
- South Ellerbe Restoration Project | Project Status Report #2 | April 2018 (PDF)
- South Ellerbe Restoration Project | Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- South Ellerbe Restoration Project | Video #1 (YouTube)
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)
- South Ellerbe Project Steps (PDF)
- 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
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, megan.walsh@durhamnc.gov
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 in the October 19, 2015 City Council Meeting. More Information
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 SIG del Departamento de Obras Públicas están preparando la construcción de un proyecto ubicado en la dirección 808 W Trinity Ave. El proyecto esté diseñado para transforma el área en un hábito natural para restaurar el arroyo, sus humedales y controlar las aguas pluviales. El proyecto reducirá la contaminación, mejorará biodiversidad, secuestrara carbono, agregara espacio verde, y ayudará a la vida acuática para South Ellerbe Creek y Falls Lake.
La División de los Servicios de Aguas Pluviales y SIG del Departamento de Obras Públicas ha estado evaluar y planifican dar 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 de cumplir con las regulaciones estatales que protegen la calidad del agua Falls Lake. Las regulaciones requieren un programa de gestión de la contaminación para edificios nuevos y antiguos. Grandes secciones de la ciudad fueron construidas antes de que se promulgaran 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 lluvia en un área con muchas urbanizaciones.
Para más información, por favor leer esta hoja informativa y contacto Lance Fontaine.
Contact Us
-
Paul Wiebke
Assistant Director of Public Works, Stormwater & GIS Services
EmailEdward Cherry
Manager, GIS and Stormwater Billing
EmailDana Hornkohl
Manager, Stormwater Infrastructure
EmailSandra Wilbur
Manager, Stormwater Special Projects
EmailShea Bolick
Manager, Stormwater Development Review
EmailMichelle Woolfolk
Manager, Stormwater Quality
Email
Stormwater & GIS Services
101 City Hall Plaza
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: (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