{"id":831,"date":"2021-01-06T16:19:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-06T21:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/blog\/2020-stormwater-grant-recipients\/"},"modified":"2022-12-03T11:29:32","modified_gmt":"2022-12-03T16:29:32","slug":"2020-stormwater-grant-recipients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/blog\/2020-stormwater-grant-recipients\/","title":{"rendered":"2020 Stormwater Grant Recipients Restore more than Waterways"},"content":{"rendered":"

Though the pandemic has impacted some of our work, we\u2019re using hurdles to reimagine our signature programs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Since the infancy of Green City, Clean Waters<\/em><\/a>, we\u2019ve cultivated a scope of opportunities for community engagement<\/strong>, including encouraging non-residential properties (such as businesses, schools, and nonprofits) to take part in our Stormwater Grant Program<\/a>. Spurring motivation for new stormwater projects on already developed properties, the grants program fulfills a few gains: enhancing a property and reducing monthly water bills \u2014 all while restoring Philadelphia\u2019s waterways.<\/p>\n

Private property owners have used grants issued through the program to construct more than 750 Greened Acres since 2012<\/strong>. Each Greened Acre manages nearly 30,000 gallons<\/strong> of runoff during a one-inch rainstorm.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"\u00a0\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Historic Germantown (left) and Popi's Italian Restaurant (right) are past Stormwater Grant recipients.\u00a0<\/small><\/p>\n

Facing a reduced budget following the pandemic, the team reviewing applications for grants reconsidered what made a project stand out as worthy of funding. With many residents working from home and spending more time in neighborhoods, projects rich in secondary benefits like increased local green space took priority.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u201cProviding surface greenery throughout Philadelphia was a priority for us when reviewing applications, especially in this unprecedented year when access to green space in our own neighborhoods close to home has been critical for our mental health,\u201d says Beth Anne Lutes<\/strong>, Stormwater Billing and Incentives manager.<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

As we conclude 2020, we\u2019re proud to award 11 resourceful recipients more than $5 million in grants<\/strong> with properties adding up to about 40 Greened Acres<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Fostering Future Benefits<\/h3>\n

From an Eastwick place of worship to Olney public schools, sites around Philly demonstrated enthusiasm to clean our waterways, vitalize their communities and commit matching funds to projects<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For many Philadelphians, a respite during these challenging times has been opportunities to visit nearby outdoor spaces. With this in mind, the revamped Stormwater Grant criteria for proposals emphasized prioritizing surface greenery<\/strong>, like vegetation, trees, and depaving on private properties.<\/p>\n

Fostering community welfare served as a significant consideration in the Stormwater Grant application process.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis year, we considered applications that were well distributed geographically throughout the city and could provide benefits to the immediate neighborhood in addition to stormwater management,\u201d Lutes says.<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In their submissions, applicants were encouraged to exhibit how their projects enhanced the surrounding community through environmental, social and economic aspects<\/strong> such as:<\/p>\n