MWRD stormwater partnership provides Lansing residents protection

August 2, 2024

Commissioners with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) joined Lansing leaders to unveil a critical infrastructure project designed to protect 56 homes from flooding. Watch the ceremony.

From L to R: Village of Lansing Trustee Jerry Zeldenrust, MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis, MWRD Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos, MWRD President Kari K. Steele, Lansing Mayor Patty Eidam, MWRD Commissioner Dan Pogorzelski, Village Trustee Maureen Grady-Perovich, Village Trustee Brian Hardy, and Village Administrator Dan Podgorski cut the ribbon on the North Creek Flood Relief Project at Flanagin Park.

The $1.8 million North Creek Flood Relief Project, benefiting from $1.6 million in funds from the MWRD, will alleviate flooding in the vicinity of Flanagin Park in the 18800 block of Sherman Street in Lansing. Selected in 2020 as part of the MWRD's Stormwater Partnership Program, the project called for storm sewer improvements and a new box culvert to be constructed and installed south down Bernadine Street, northwest on Sherman Street, and below ground into Flanagin Park. The new culvert for North Creek will relieve backwater flooding from occurring for residents living in the Flanagin subdivision.

MWRD President Kari K. Steele, Lansing Mayor Patty L. Eidam and Village Administrator Dan Podgorski spoke to the power of collaboration in enhancing stormwater infrastructure and protecting local communities during a ribbon cutting ceremony held on July 30.

"The completion of the North Creek Flood Relief Project marks a new day of protection for Lansing residents living in the Flanagin subdivision who are impacted by flooding," said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. "This project, like the hundreds we are supporting throughout Cook County, exemplifies the power of collaboration between the MWRD and local partners. Together with the Village of Lansing, we have strengthened our infrastructure and improved the safety and well-being of residents."

The North Creek Flood Relief Project stems from the MWRD's Stormwater Partnership Program, which enables local government organizations to seek financial assistance for constructing vital stormwater infrastructure. After responding to a call from the MWRD for project proposals, Lansing leaders worked with MWRD engineers to advance the project. The partners entered into an intergovernmental agreement in 2022 and broke ground on the project last year and completed it over eight months.

But it was July 18, 2018, when Mayor Eidam vividly recalls a major flood event inspired her administration straight to work on addressing infrastructure improvements. They met with homeowners in the area and immediately worked toward a solution.

"On behalf of the 56 nearby homes, I give my sincere thanks to so many on the Village of Lansing staff, our Public Works Department, our village engineers from Robinson, and most importantly, our friends at MWRD," Mayor Eidam said. "We all worked together to complete this extremely challenging project, one we can all be proud of."

Since receiving authority from the Illinois General Assembly to work on local projects, the MWRD has invested in about 250 projects throughout Cook County protecting more than 18,000 structures, representing a total construction investment of more than $835 million. That includes about 70 projects currently in planning, design, or construction.

In addition to building giant reservoirs and deep tunnels, the MWRD is removing homes from flood plains, stabilizing streambanks, introducing new policies through its Watershed Management Ordinance, constructing permeable alleys and parking lots and installing rain gardens, distributing rain barrels and free oak tree saplings.

"The variety of MWRD solutions, partnerships and innovative programs are needed more than ever to address increased rainfall," said MWRD Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos. "That is why we applaud Lansing for recognizing water challenges, presenting a solution and collaborating with us to address stormwater management and protection for our water environment."