City of Calumet City and MWRD to celebrate completion of four green alleys

WHO: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Board of Commissioners and staff, City of Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus M. Jones, Trustees and staff, Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability.

WHAT: The MWRD and the City of Calumet City and partners will celebrate the completion of four new green alleys.

WHERE: 664 Hirsch Ave., Calumet City, IL

WHEN: 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 14, 2024

Calumet City leaders and the MWRD will celebrate the completion of four new green alleys that were funded through the MWRD's Green Infrastructure Partnership Program. The ribbon cutting will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 664 Hirsch Avenue.

Using permeable pavers, the alleys in the first, third, fourth and seventh wards of the city can store up to 447,000 gallons total per rain event. In addition to capturing stormwater and mitigating flooding in the area, the projects demonstrate the benefits of green infrastructure to residents.

Record rains in September 2023 in Calumet City overwhelmed local sewers and led to numerous reports of flooding, pointing to the need for continued collaboration, investment and attention to stormwater management and infrastructure. In addition to stormwater management projects, the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan serves combined sewer areas in Calumet City through the Calumet Tunnel System and Thornton Composite Reservoir. The MWRD has also distributed more than 2,000 rain barrels to Calumet City and neighboring suburbs.