Governmental
Soldier Creek Watershed Study Phase I:
Water Resource Inventory/Baseline IBI
Village of Bradley
Bradley, Illinois
On behalf of the Village of Bradley, LRMG completed a Water Resource Inventory for the Soldier Creek Watershed. Available background information as well as current and historical data which characterize the existing conditions of the Soldier Creek Watershed were compiled and presented using Geographic Information Systems [GIS], which significantly improved the process of gathering and reviewing existing conditions. A biological inventory was also conducted to assess the water quality and biological integrity of Soldier Creek. This information and all future phases of the Watershed Plan are intended to be “living documents” which, when properly used, will be continually updated as more intensive data collections become available for implementing an effective plan.
Bradley Landscape Ordinance
Village of Bradley
Bradley, Illinois
Charged with updating the Landscape Standards for New Developments for the Village of Bradley, LRMG retained the best of the existing ordinance, researched regional and national standards, selected their best components and with our own broad experience, looked forward to address projected future concerns. The resulting document includes sections on: tree preservation, street tree program, storm water facilities, installation & management of native plantings, and prohibited invasive plant material.
Jackson Creek Restoration/Enhancement
Village of Frankfort
Frankfort, Illinois
The growth of suburbs requires the extension and expansion of infrastructure such as roads and utilities. In the Village of Frankfort, an arterial road required widening to accommodate increased traffic. A channelized portion of Jackson Creek, which borders Steger Road, needed to be relocated to allow road widening. As an alternative to the environmentally degrading piping or re-channelization of the creek, the Village backed an LRMG plan to relocate the creek and allow it to meander within its floodplain. Data from in-house hydraulic modeling and the latest research regarding in-stream restoration guided the creek layout, grading, road crossing sizes, and aquatic habitat features.
The reintroduced native plant communities within this floodplain will filter the stormwater from adjacent developments, encourage it to infiltrate into the ground, improve the water quality of Jackson Creek, and provide a wealth of wildlife habitats. Once these project goals are met, the relocated portion of the creek and its surrounding floodplain of wet prairie will be managed by the Forest Preserve District of Will County.
River Trail Drive Development
C
ity of Peoria , Illinois
LRMG was contracted by the City of Peoria to develop a conceptual plan for its River Trail Drive lake-front development. The proposed concept plan includes a mixed-use townhome development along the proposed River Trail Drive, improvements of the existing River Front Park, and the creation of two offshore islands using sediments from the nearby U.S. Army Corps river dredging project. The proposed island will extend the existing parkland, providing both recreational facilities for patrons and natural habitats for wildlife.
Facilitated by LRMG, a series of workgroup sessions was held with state and local regulatory agencies, environmental and neighborhood groups, local officials, and citizens to collect ideas and address concerns for the project. The final plan was approved by the City Council, the Peoria Planning Commission, and the Heart of Peoria Commission in the summer of 2008.