WJLA and WAMU reports on last week's mayoral press release on Bloomingdale flood mitigation efforts

See this WJLA and WAMU news reports on Mayor Gray's press release last week on the city's Bloomingdale flood mitigation efforts.

a) Grassroots Gourmet business owners Sara Fatell and Jamilyah Smith-Kanz are interviewed by WJLA
        

MayorGray, DC officials push flood-prevention efforts

By Brianne Carter May 17, 2013 - 06:21 am

   

D.C. leaders are updating the public on efforts to prevent flooding in two northwest DC neighborhoods.

A task-force blamed an outdated sewer system for storm-related flooding in the Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park area. DDOT will soon begin work to install a sewer line under Rhode Island Ave. to help remove storm water. The city is also reworking Mcmillian Filtration plant to capture millions of gallons of water.

   

``We will begin the installation of a five foot wide sewer line in the median of the 100 block of Rhode Island Avenue Northwest,`` explained Mayor Gray.   ``This drainage pipe will remove water from roadway so it can be released it a much more systematic way.``

     

While the crews work to put in the new sewer line, the center lane in each direction along Rhode island will be shut down. The project is expected to be completed by Labor Day or sooner.

b) WAMU report 

RepairsAimed At Stemming Flooding In Bloomingdale By: Markette Smith // May 17, 2013

In preparation for the summer storm season, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and the head of D.C. Water have outlined their aggressive new plan to keep water out of the flood-prone neighborhoods of Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park.

D.C. Water`s General Manager George Hawkins offers this warning for the summer storm season: ``The rains are a-comin`.``

That was exactly the case last summer when Bloomingdale resident Sara Fatell`s apartment flooded three times in just 10 days.

``Since then, as it rains, we sandbag the doors and create this really interesting tarp,`` Fatell says.

Pretty soon, residents won`t have to do that, at least according to a promise made by D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, who outlined repairs to the water drainage system in the neighborhood by D.C. Water starting next week.

``They will begin the installation of a 5-foot wide sewer line in the median of the 100 block of Rhode Island Avenue NW,`` Gray says.

The new sewer line will shut down busy commuter lanes on Rhode Island Avenue, Northwest Monday morning. It replaces an outdated system that is more than one hundred years old.

Work also includes:

Installation of a rain garden in the 100 block of Rhode Island Ave NW and T St. NW

Installation of permeable pavement in a 1st St. alley

Installation of an 18-inch sewer line on the south side of Rhode Island Ave. NW at 2nd St. NW