Council OK's green roof at Wirth Aquatic Center
One alderman asks if it's worth the money
A green roof on the Wirth Aquatic Center that would naturally reduce stormwater runoff could be a showpiece for the city, but is it really worth a $350,000 investment?
That's the question posed by one alderman Tuesday, who wondered whether the potential hassle of such a roof would outweigh the benefits.
But other Common Council members said the roof would make a statement that the city is being progressive.
And they approved an agreement with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District in which the agency will provide up to $200,000 for the roof. The city will pay the remainder of the $350,000 cost.
The roof at the center, 2585 N. Pilgrim Road, was built in 1964 and replaced in 1985.
Part of a larger effort
The grant from the MMSD is part of a $1 billion plan to reduce the amount of sewage that is flowing into Lake Michigan. Green roofs fall under the stormwater reduction component of that plan.
According to MMSD, a green roof is made up of a waterproof membrane, soil and vegetation that combine to capture rain that would otherwise flow off the roof, down a downspout and possibly into a sewer. The soil captures the rain, which is used by the plants or evaporates.
Public Works Director Tom Grisa said green roofs last longer than regular ones since the plant material protects it from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
He added the roof would provide a small reduction in stormwater runoff and its signage will educate the public about stormwater quality.
"This is an excellent location for this message to get out since the pool and park has well over 100,000 visitors annually," Grisa stated in a memo.
Alderman has issues
However, Alderman Bill Carnell had questions about the green roof and its impact on stormwater runoff. He also wondered whether other alternatives have been looked at.
"Just because it is free money doesn't mean we should spend it this way," he said.
The amount of runoff reduced will be "a drop in the bucket," he said, adding that the money should be spent in other ways.
He asked last week whether the grant money could be used for pavers instead. Pavers are alternatives to using asphalt and concrete and can be used in parking areas, walkways and driveways to reduce stormwater runoff.
Grisa said the MMSD isn't funding pavers, which are unproven remedies in the city's clay soil. They do work well in sandy soil, he said.
Alderman Scott Berg agreed the runoff reduction at the site might be minimal, but it could encourage people to employ strategies for reducing stormwater runoffs at their homes or businesses.
Carnell also had questions about the maintenance the roof would require, and asked whether the city would have to water it during a drought. Grisa said maintenance is minimal, although some watering and weeding may be needed.
With the council's approval of the agreement with the MMSD, the next step will be to design the roof and request bids for the work.
Grisa said the roof won't be replaced until the end of the pool season. The plants and vegetation won't be planted until next spring.
What's a green roof?
• A green roof consists of a combination of waterproof membrane, soil and vegetation placed on flat roofs that work together to capture rain that would otherwise flow off the roof, down a downspout and possibly into a sewer.
• Rain that falls on the green roof is typically retained in the soil and used by plants or evaporated. Excess rain flows off of the green roof and drains into downspouts.
• An engineering analysis is required to make sure a building can handle the extra weight of a green roof.
Source: Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
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