Merrillville

MERRILLVILLE, INDIANA for a stormwater fee or something else, but hardly anybody goes for that.” Merrillville also does special projects, such as complete redesign of intersections and corri- dors, incorporating green infrastructure. For its Stormwater Master Plan, it did nine drainage studies throughout the town focused on alle- viating flooding; stormwater quality BMPs are included in each of those projects. It is now contemplating no-mow zones with fescues that cut back on maintenance, reduce air emissions, and promote natural plantings along corridors, bike paths, and in parks. It’s a change for the community, but with public outreach, people understand and appre- ciate the concept. Lake says, “When you try to promote a community and you want economic growth, the environmental quality of life aspect is attractive to new business. They want to do ‘the right thing’ but sometimes get stuck where development has become standardized.We created the ordinances where businesses must change the way they develop, but in a way that doesn’t drive up the cost, accents the develop- ment, and creates an image of environmental consciousness. Like anything, you can run the cost up significantly if you want to add every bell and whistle.” There is also the matter of sustainability on the post-construction side; for example: a commercial building with a parking lot. Typ- ically, paving is done with asphalt that lasts four to six years, and needs frequent seal coat- ing. Lake says, “We have a Dollar Store that did their whole parking lot with a product called Pave Drain. It’s a concrete block that’s arched at the bottom with gaps on the sides, so it’s a pervious brick - an amazing approach to pervious hardscapes. It’s going to last 50 to 70 years. From that standpoint, you shouldn’t only look at the cost of initial construction, look at the post-construction side. The main- tenance side. No-mow zones with plants that only need trimming once a year reduce mow- ing and landscape costs. Also, depression ar- eas for stormwater storage within these sites