FAQs: Union Park Blooming Alleys for Clean Water What is “Blooming Alleys?” Blooming Alleys is a program of Metro Blooms that aims to protect waterways, create habitat, and transform community spaces by working with blocks of residents to re-imagine what their alleyway looks like and how it functions. We do this by engaging neighbors at an Alley Party to learn about stormwater management and native habitat and think about what the alley could be. Residents on selected blocks work with landscape designers to identify what could be done in their yard and how that fits into an overall alley design (all work is done on private property in backyards and driveways). Suggested practices typically include raingardens, permeable pavement, and native plantings. Projects also include runoff conveyance such as gutters and downspouts. We work with interested residents to complete installations through a cost share program with the Capitol Region Watershed District. By completing these projects at a neighborhood-scale, we’re able to educate communities about runoff and its effects on local bodies of water while engaging citizens to play an active role in protecting clean water. Why are you focusing on alleys? Blooming Alleys create great community spaces for the neighborhood and make ideal pedestrian and pollinator pathways. Additionally, the majority of runoff from a typical property, as well as the most polluted runoff, drains to the alleyway. The suggested practices capture runoff and allow it to sink into the soil to be cleaned and cooled naturally, rather than running into the alley, the nearest storm drain, and directly to the Mississippi River. Who are the partners on this project? The partners on this project include: Union Park District Council, Metro Blooms, Capitol Region Watershed District, and neighborhood citizens. How will you select the two target blocks for installations? Selection will be based on level of interest from neighbors and on potential for runoff capture. What does it cost to participate? This project is partially funded by the Capitol Region Watershed District, which means all participants on selected blocks receive a free site consultation, clean water plan, and cost estimate for their property. After we complete plans and cost estimates for each property we’ll apply for cost share funding from the Capitol Region Watershed District for installation. Metro Blooms will apply for installation funding for the entire block. There is no cost to homeowners until the installation phase of the project. Cost share, or Stewardship Grant awards, are allocated based on the water quality benefits provided by each Stormwater Best Management Practice (BMPs). Projects that capture runoff from streets (curb cut rain gardens) or alleyways receive higher awards due to their higher water quality benefits. These projects could potentially receive up to 100% of the total project costs. On the other hand, projects that have a small impact in reducing stormwater volume and pollutants receive a lower grant award. Since public funds are used to design and finance these projects CRWD wants to make sure that grant funds are used to support high impact projects. When will I be asked to commit to an installation? Not until you’ve had your site consultation, received your plan, and are given an estimate for your cost share. At this point we’ll ask you to make a decision about whether or not you’ll move forward with an installation. Those that do move forward will then receive complete construction documents and planting plans for their projects. What happens after the funding approval? Do I have to coordinate the installation? Once the installation funding is approved each participant will need to sign an installation and maintenance agreement and pay their cost share. Metro Blooms works with volunteers, the Conservation Corps of Minnesota,

and experienced subcontractors to install the proposed practices. We organize, coordinate, and manage all of the installations. Where can I see examples of these projects? These are the first Blooming Alleys in St. Paul but there are examples of completed alleys just across the river near Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. A good example is between 28th & 29th Avenue and 49th & 50th Street East. When will my alley be installed, if it’s selected as a target block? Our goal is to complete Alley Parties, site consultations, plans, and cost estimates this fall/early winter. We’ll apply for cost share funding over the winter with a plan to install practices in the early summer of 2018. Who maintains the practices once they’re installed? Maintenance education will be provided by Metro Blooms. Participants will be responsible for maintaining their practices but we encourage blocks to organize group maintenance or hire an interested neighbor to maintain gardens and permeable pavement. We are always available after project completion to answer questions about maintenance. Can I do this project later? You can definitely use your plan in the future to apply for a cost share grant from Capitol Region Watershed District individually. However, the cost estimate that you are given now will no longer be accurate. Installing many projects along one block at once lowers the cost of the project for everyone. Additionally, you would be responsible for writing and submitting the application, hiring contractors, and managing the installation. What if my block is not selected? If your block is not selected you can still receive a free consultation and design from the Ramsey Conservation District, https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/environment/ramsey-conservation-district that can be used to apply to Capitol Region Watershed District individually for a Stewardship grant, www.capitolregionwd.org. As stated above, you would be responsible for writing and submitting the application, hiring contractors, and managing the installation.

Contact Information: Alley Captain: Jennifer & Kyle Dukart, [email protected], [email protected] Jennifer Ehlert (project manager and designer), [email protected], 919-624-1216 Andy Novak (Capitol Region Watershed District contact), [email protected] Timeline: August 2017: Alley Party September 2017: Target block selection September/October 2017: Site Consultations & Clean Water Plans for target blocks October/November 2017: Residents on target blocks receive plans & cost share estimate November 2017: Commitment deadline November/December 2017: Construction documents and planting plans for committed participants Winter 2017/2018: Metro Blooms applies for cost share from Capitol Region Watershed District for all projects Spring 2018: Installations