Bayside Bidding Stormwater Drain Repairs

The Village of Bayside is in the process of bidding out work to repair two of the village’s major stormwater drainage culverts that incurred major damage during the flooding that took place in July of 2010. 

Alex Henderson, director of community and utility services for the village, estimates that the cost of the repairs will be between $200,000 to $250,000.

The stormwater culverts are located along ravines adjacent to properties in the 1300 block of Baypoint Road and in the 9600 block of Lake Drive.  Both are located in the northeastern portion of the village.  The stormwater in these areas drains into Lake Michigan via the ravines.

Henderson outlined the necessary repairs to the sites.  The work will include:

• Clearing and grubbing of necessary vegetation on the sites to allow for equipment access.
• Excavation and removal of the existing damaged infrastructure.
• Placement of new drainage pipe.
• Providing the necessary fill to stabilize the pipe and ravine bank.
• Addition of rip rap material at the outfall along the banks of the ravine.
• Restoration of disturbed landscaping along the easement.

According to Henderson, the repair work will likely take place “during the dry months of summer in July and August.”  

He went on to say, “The costs are being funded in large part by FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency), as well as through the Village’s Stormwater Utility budget.”  

Bayside began collecting user fees for its Stormwater Utility based on property assessments in January 2010. The storm water utility was established to provide revenue to maintain and improve existing storm water infrastructure, as well as develop a comprehensive storm water management plan as mandated by the Federal government.

After severe storms and flooding in the summer of 1997, Bayside and Fox Point began major projects to protect against future flooding.  The detention ponds and pumps at and at the Pelham Heath Indian Creek Water Detention Area behind the fire station on Brown Deer Road are a result of this effort, as are continuous upgrades and repairs to culverts and ditches through which most stormwater flows.  According to Henderson, these projects helped alleviate flooding problems during the storms last July.