What the Swale? Greenfield Neighborhood's Drainage Fix Back to Square One

Despite several long discussions over the last few weeks, including one a Wednesday’s Common Council meeting, the City of Greenfield still does not know what it will do in regards to installing drainage improvements in the Brookside Drive and Root River Parkway neighborhood.

The area is prone to flooding.

Director of Neighborhood Services Richard Sokol originally suggested replacing a deteriorated 48-inch (in diameter) corrugated metal pipe with a swale, which in this case is an artificial landscape feature designed to manage water runoff and filter pollutants.

The Common Council awarded a contract for nearly $324,000 to D.F. Tomasini for the project March 1, with $75,000 of that coming in the form of a grant from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.

But when residents expressed concerns about the safety of the swale and its aesthetic appeal at both a Board of Public Works meeting March 22 and a public information meeting last, Sokol suggested on Wednesday the Common Council rescind the contract and come up with a new plan agreeable with the residents.

“Residents ... are adamantly opposed to the swale, the slope of the swale and the depth of the swale and they feel the swale is a step back for the neighborhood,” Sokol said.

“I’d like to see if we can meet the desires of the residents but reduce the cost.”

After a 45-minute discussion, however, the Common Council took no action on the measure and will revisit the project at the next council meeting after Sokol goes back to the contractor and tries to rework the project plans.

“I made a mistake by completely underestimating the impact of the design (of the swale) on their neighborhood,” Sokol said. “That’s why we’re trying to make these changes. We certainly don’t want to have a negative impact on their neighborhood.

“I stand behind the design and believe that it will work, but the residents don’t believe it.”

In other news Wednesday, the Common Council:

• Agreed to waive a $400 carnival license but not a $50 license to sell fermented malt beverages at the Dan Jansen Family Fest, which will be held at on May 27-29. Other details of the festival released Wednesday were: the four-day carnival will feature eight concession stands and 12 rides; there will not be a car show; and the evening bands will play no later than 11:15 p.m.
• Approved the filling of a Fire Lieutenant position in the due to a retirement.
• Approved the artist engagement agreement with The Orphans for a performance at Konkel Park on July 19.
• Approved a project to plant approximately 374 trees and other plantings at various locations throughout the city.