On Wednesday, March 24, the City of LCF hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the City’s first project funded by Measure W.
The project, known as a “green alley,” began when it became apparent that the pavement on the alley north of Foothill Boulevard between Alta Canyada Road and Indiana Avenue (behind Armstrong Garden Center, 7-Eleven and La Cañada Imports), required full reconstruction. Instead of replacing the pavement with conventional asphalt, the City seized the opportunity to install pervious pavement to allow rainwater to pass through to the ground below. The improvement ensures MS4 Permit (municipal separate storm sewer system) compliance benefits along with public space beautification, business frontage enhancement and a safer, more comfortable space for pedestrians.
“When City staff saw the pavement was in a failed condition, they took the opportunity to improve the space, rather than keep it status quo,” said Patrick DeChellis, La Cañada Flintridge Director of Public Works. “This ‘green alley’ is not only environmentally friendly, but it also improves the space for businesses and pedestrians. It’s a win for everyone.”
Construction on the alley included installation of a pervious pavement over an infiltration gravel bed. The outer edges of the alley were enhanced with narrow planting beds for low-profile or climbing plants to make the space more ecologically friendly. The stormwater benefits help fulfill the City’s stormwater volume capture requirements of the Upper Los Angeles River Enhanced Watershed Management Program.
The “green alley” was fully funded using the City’s share of Measure W funds, a regional plan passed by the voters in 2018 to address capture and reuse of storm runoff to reduce the reliance on imported water.
“This is a great example of the City being innovative and working to improve the lives of residents and business owners in our community,” said Mayor Michael T. Davitt.
