RiverEast Center 

Integrated Sustainable Stormwater Management

Location: 1515 SE Water Avenue  

Type of facility:  Vegetated swales, flow-through planters, Green Street, downspout disconnection

Facility location: parking lot, next to building, and East side of parking lot along Water Ave.

Date of installation: Winter-Spring 2007

Impervious area managed: 90,700 square feet of private area (43,500 parking lot, 8,200 plaza, 39,000 roof) and 8,000 sf of public street.

The RiverEast Center serves as a popular connection to the pedestrian / bike path along the Willamette River. An unused city street turned into a public plaza. marks the paths point of entry and completes the improved urban Greenway connection from SE 12^th at the east end of Clay St. Stormwater management facilities were implemented at RiverEast in spring 2007 as part of a warehouse remodel project. All stormwater generated from the building and surrounding property is captured and treated on site, at the source. Interconnected swales filter out pollutants and allow the stormwater to soak into the ground,  helping recharge river base flows with cleaner, cooler water. Stormwater planters along the building are constructed of recycled concrete slabs from the walls of the building where windows were created. The planters capture runoff from the buildings 39,000 sf roof. The concrete slabs are also used as sculptural elements throughout the site. The project included over 30,000 sq. ft. of new landscaping, adding new habitat and green space along the river.

One unique feature of the site is the shared stormwater facility on the east side of the parking lot. The privately owned and maintained swale captures and treats street runoff from Water Avenue and the parking lot. An Operations and Maintenance agreement, signed by both parties, details the maintenance responsibilities of the city and the private property owner.

Project Team:

Developers: Group Mackenzie

Landscape Architects: GreenWorks PC