Daylighting Cedar Run will restore the channel to a more natural condition, and help to mitigate downstream and downtown flooding by redirecting runoff into a natural channel and reducing peak flows by increased infiltration and regained access to its floodplain. This project also provides an opportunity to educate the community on stormwater management techniques and low impact development (LID) that could be used to decrease stormwater fees in the community. The intent of this project is to lay the ground work to revitalize the community and its economy, and involve the community in the design process. Daylighting Cedar Run will not only address flash flood concerns, but also improve the livability of the community and provide walkable access from the neighborhood to downtown.
 

After discussions with folks from Coca-Cola and the Stormwater Division of the City of Roanoke, a community meeting, organized by One Valley, was held at the Coca-Cola plant on May 2, 2019. At that meeting, the preliminary student design for stream daylighting of Cedar Run was discussed, along with the possibilities of expanding the greenway along the exposed channel for increased pedestrian access to and from downtown. After hearing from neighborhood citizens, both about their concerns and support, as a next step, the folks from Stormwater offered to fund a feasibility study to better delineate the project’s footprint on the neighborhood and to develop a ballpark cost estimate.

Wetlands Studies and Solutions Inc. (WSSI) was originally contracted by Stormwater to perform the analysis, but a preliminary investigation by WSSI identified hydraulic structure design elements outside of their expertise that needed to be addressed. Stormwater then contracted with Mattern & Craig to conduct the study in the Fall of 2019. The resulting preliminary feasibility study, referred to as the “10% design” study, went through several iterations between Stormwater and the consultant.

The resulting 10% design study was completed mid December 2019 and revealed an aspect of the stream channel that had not been noticeable previously – that the midpoint of the bypass channel (point B in picture below) was actually higher in elevation than where the new channel would start on 5th Street (point A). This condition placed severe restraints on the resulting design and called for pumping, considerable excavation, a reduction in the hoped-for stormwater runoff benefits, and infringement on the Coca-Cola facility. Thus, while the project may be feasible, it is less than desirable with a hefty price tag of more than $1 million, and a less than desirable “natural” channel.