Originally, the drive was intended for vehicles servicing the on-campus pool and provided access to chemical storage and treatment tanks. However, with the addition of the new campus center, the Commons, many began using the area as a through-way between buildings and this new project responds to the need for a safer, more attractive pedestrian thoroughfare that allows water to filter into the ground rather than puddling.
The design also extends an existing allee
of trees with additional tree plantings. This project is on track for
completion in the spring of 2013.
FTLA’s design will add walls, benches, a walkway, new pavement and
plantings to the access road, while incorporating new drainage patterns
to add a bioretention feature.
The bioretention feature is important to reduce stormwater runoff from entering streams on campus, and eventually the bay. With paved surfaces dominating the landscape in many areas, sediment, nutrients, and pollution gush into water ways during rain events, causing erosion and disrupting the water. With sediment causing murky water and blocking sunlight, and with nutrients causing alage blooms this is very dangerous to aquatic life. UMBC's pond, No Mow Zones, and protected natural spaces as well as pervious pavers and rain gardens also help to address this problem.
In addition, our new LEED construction protects water with a vegetated green roof on Patapsco Hall soaking up rain and a rainwater harvesting system on the roof of the new Performing Arts and Humanities Center capturing and reusing rainwater to irrigate the surrounding landscaping.
