City's 1st Green Roof Project

City's 1st Green Roof Project

Mayor Greg Ballard will announce plans Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, at noon, for the first green roof ever to be constructed on a city-owned building.

WHAT:
Press conference to announce plans to build a green roof on a wastewater storage and treatment facility

WHEN:
Friday, Oct. 17, 2008
12:15 PM

WHERE:
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Headquarters, 1029 Fletcher Ave.

As part of a project designed to reduce and treat raw sewage overflows into the White River, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) will install a green roof on a new portion of a wastewater storage and treatment facility on the north side of Indianapolis.

Green roofs are vegetated roof systems used in place of conventional roofs. The benefits of green roofs are far-reaching; they help capture stormwater run-off that otherwise would enter the city's overburdened combined sewer and drainage systems. Stormwater that is not captured is filtered through the vegetation as it comes off the roofs, which helps reduce the amount of pollution that ends up in waterways. Green roofs also help capture air pollution and carbon dioxide, reduce outdoor air temperatures and the "urban heat island" effect, and insulate buildings, which saves energy.

Mayor Ballard and DPW representatives will discuss these and other benefits of green roofs, describe plans for the first city-built green roof and encourage incorporating green roofs into residential and commercial development.

Green roofs are just one step the city is taking to incorporate natural and sustainable stormwater management practices to help improve the environment throughout Marion County. Other plans for "greening" Indianapolis' infrastructure include planting trees, rain gardens and bio-swales, and installing porous pavement. These techniques significantly reduce costs for taxpayers, while protecting and improving the environment.