{"id":679,"date":"2015-11-12T17:44:00","date_gmt":"2015-11-12T22:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/blog\/stormwater-pioneer-business-makes-smart-move-helps-our-rivers\/"},"modified":"2022-12-03T13:34:25","modified_gmt":"2022-12-03T18:34:25","slug":"stormwater-pioneer-business-makes-smart-move-helps-our-rivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/blog\/stormwater-pioneer-business-makes-smart-move-helps-our-rivers\/","title":{"rendered":"Stormwater Pioneer: Business Makes Smart Move, Helps Our Rivers"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nPopi's co-owner Gina Rucci used a SMIP grant to build rain gardens in the restaurant parking lot, and says it was a smart financial move. Credit: Philadelphia Water<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

For the past 20 years, Popi\u2019s Italian Restaurant has been a beloved fixture in its South Philadelphia community, building a stellar reputation for excellent cuisine in a family-friendly setting. Recently, co-owner Gina Rucci made a smart business move that we\u2019re excited to celebrate. Rucci used over $94,000 from Philadelphia Water<\/a> to improve her property and neighborhood, all while lowering her stormwater bill by 60 percent. That means\u00a0the $5,000 investment she contributed will pay for itself in less than two years.<\/p>\n

And there\u2019s a big picture bonus in this story, too: by turning her asphalt parking lot into a green stormwater tool, Rucci is doing her part to make Philadelphia\u2019s rivers healthier for all of us and for future generations.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why Popi\u2019s Restaurant is being honored<\/a> as the 2015 Philadelphia Water Stormwater Pioneer.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, November 17, Philadelphia Water will present awards to Gina Rucci and her project team, including Dan McKenna, project engineer at Wilkinson Associates, Steve Milliken, Vice President of Lakash Constructors, and Rick Wood, Regional Designer at Ruppert Landscapes for excellence in stormwater management.<\/p>\n

“The team we have was phenomenal,” says Gina. “I\u2019m going to turn others onto this program\u2014even my competitors. I\u2019m going to say: 'Go to them. They know how to make it happen.' And that\u2019s okay, because it will enhance the entire area. Look at this: I had a parking lot. Now I have a park!”<\/p>\n

Rucci, who has been helping to run Popi\u2019s since her late father opened the classic Italian eatery, was one of a number of business owners to take advantage of a Stormwater Management Incentives Program<\/a> (SMIP) grant this year. And, as Philadelphia Water ramps up our efforts to manage stormwater with green infrastructure, we\u2019re hoping more people will follow her lead.<\/p>\n

“The SMIP grant program<\/a> is a win-win for Philadelphia Water and local businesses,” said Philadelphia Water Commissioner Howard Neukrug.\u00a0“We\u2019re in this for the benefits to our water quality, but there are serious bottom-line benefits to green infrastructure for business and commercial property owners.”<\/p>\n

You can learn more about how your business or commercial property of any size can benefit from SMIP by clicking here<\/a>, but we really recommend that you hear Gina Rucci\u2019s story in her own words by watching this short, inspiring video about her experience:
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