Supporting North Wayne Flood Reduction

On Monday December 17, the Radnor Board of Commissioners, led by president Lisa Borowski from Ward 4 with great support by our commissioner Jack Larkin, took another positive step forward in fixing stormwater management in North Wayne. The board voted 6-1 to approve engineering work by Meliora Design of Phoenixville on the “North Wayne Flood Reduction Project.”

This project uses trees and grasses and the land properly contoured to keep stormwater runoff and flood waters off of roads and out of basements and away from building foundations.

As we saw again on August 13 this year, current conditions in North Wayne near the creeks and stormwater swales are unacceptably bad in intense rains, and lives and property are very much at risk. August 13 was the 7th time since 2010 that roads became impassable and property was flooded and destroyed when three or more inches of rain fell in a few hours.

The Radnor BOC leadership, the township manager, and the township engineer all agree that better stormwater management is a top priority and we can do something to reduce the danger and damage in Ward 1.

Even the no vote for North Wayne on Monday by Commissioner Rich Booker in Ward 2 came with Booker’s statements that he “can get behind this” and “it is a good idea” and he “sees the logic in it.” This is wise of Commissioner Booker, because his constituents along Gulph Creek Road east of King of Prussia Road will directly benefit if the project comes to pass. The water that descends upon Gulph Creek Road during intense rains will come with less force, will not come up as high on roads and yards, and will not be as polluted, if the greenway is built. The roadway and bridge erosion in this area is very severe, after decades of neglect of the stormwater problem.

The North Wayne Flood Reduction Project is forward-thinking and very feasible. Towns and cities and campuses all over the world have deployed ‘green infrastructure’ like it and it’s proven to work. It will be attractive. Our kids already fish and catch butterflies and watch the ducks and pick flowers along this waterway. Now, this area will be even more friendly and attractive, using land homeowners grant easements to and land the township already owns, including land already dedicated with a conservation easement.

Plus, the flood reduction project will provide protection for the whole neighborhood, including when police, fire and ambulances are needed during storms. It will slow the flow of stormwater and hold much more water than any concrete-and-pipe ‘gray infrastructure’ can.

We look forward to seeing this project take shape and hope all the neighbors and residents of Radnor support it.

Bryan and Gale Morrison, Carolyn & Chas Phillip, John Velutini, Flex and Margaret Houvig, Kathy and Larry McKenna, Nicole K and Frederick G Mann, Ted Merriman, Jack Larkin, and Douglas and Gina Ford

Wayne, PA