'Innovative' Sanitation Authority Project Receives Final Approval

The Alexandria Sanitation Authority wastewater tank facility with an athletic field roof received final approval Saturday and high praise from members of the Alexandria City Council.

The project includes the construction of a large wastewater tank partially underground on Hooffs Run Drive just west of the current ASA facilities. ASA will then construct a lighted athletic field on top of the tank that will be operated and maintained by the city.

“I think this is a project that will win awards,” Councilman Rob Krupicka said. “I think it really is an exceptional collaboration between ASA and the city. I think you all should be really excited about it.”

Several members of Council said the project has the potential to be a real landmark in the city as an inventive project on display for drivers on the inner loop of the Beltway.

“Oftentimes sewage treatment facilities are not good neighbors,” Vice Mayor Kerry Donley said. “I think this is a great, innovative proposal.”

The field, which is expected to be completed in 2016, will function as a green roof on top of the tank. It will eventually connect to a larger open space area on the blocks to the north through a terraced deck that will be constructed in a future phase.

The artificial turf field would be illuminated by four 70-foot light poles. A 50-foot stack for odor control will be constructed in the southeast corner of the site.

After ASA constructs the field, the city will oversee its maintenance and scheduling. The city will get the field for 15 years. If ASA needs the space after that time to build more tanks, the field will go away.

Later phases of the project include the relocation of the existing ASA administration building to the site and the construction of an underground wet weather pump station (for more info on the project, ).

“This really could have been a real lemon,” Councilwoman Del Pepper said. “What has been done here is truly going to be an award-winning site.”