City of Chattanooga officials on Friday unveiled a $700,000 pervious parking lot and rain garden at Renaissance Park, while terming it part of a new approach to handling stormwater issues.
A parks employee dumped two large buckets of water on a section of the lot to demonstrate how it soaks up rain instead of allowing it to puddle and run off.
The parking spots at the lot are made of a special porous pavement, though the center of the lot is regular asphalt. Public Works Administrator Steve Leach said the special pavement works where vehicles go in and out, and there is not much turning that would damage that type pavement and possibly damage tires.
He said the special pervious pavement does require maintenance to prevent dirt and leaves from stopping it up.
David Crockett, director of sustainability for the city, noted that the rain garden is designed with attractive plants and a drainage system designed to prevent runoff from the lot.
He also said that newly planted trees are placed in areas where some rainwater can reach them directly.
Officials said the rain garden is designed to soak up water and slowly release it back into the ground.
Mayor Ron Littlefield said streams in North Chattanooga drain into the park at the former Roper Plant site. He said steps are being taken to have the stream filtered of pollutants before emptying into the Tennessee River.
The mayor said city officials recently met with the deputy administrator of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and showed them the new lot.
The lot also features low-energy lighting, Larry Zehnder, city parks and recreation director, said.
TVA was a partner in the project.