The I-579 “Cap” Project and the creation of the new three-acre Frankie Pace Park provides a vital urban green space link between the historic Hill District and the city’s downtown business and cultural centers. Over 60 years ago, as part of 1950s and 60s national urban renewal initiatives, many Hill District residents were forcibly displaced by the construction of the new highway. Residents that remained were impacted by an eight-lane, 40-ft deep concrete canyon. The construction of this park is a literal and metaphorical bridge, repairing broken connections for the neighborhood.
The park consists of over 250 newly planted trees, 4000 perennials, 0.7 acres of grass, six (6) terraced rain gardens, 300 linear feet of artistic surface trench drains, and over 500 CY of topsoil placed on top of the cap structure. This 52,000 SF cap over the interstate serves as one of the largest publicly funded green roof projects in the region. An estimated 2.5 million gallons of stormwater is managed annually in the park and the lawns can store up to 6 inches of rain during a single rainfall event. The park intertwines artistic and interpretive artwork from local artists allowing park users to learn the history of the Hill District and the importance of stormwater management.
This presentation will provide a project overview and explain design and construction details of the enhanced stormwater management features and hydrologic performance of the site
