The City of Saint Paul and Minnesota United FC today unveiled an interpretive monument to recognize a new, cutting-edge clean water infrastructure system designed to serve a 35-acre superblock in the historic Midway area of the City. Located under the Great Lawn at the newly completed Allianz Field, the innovative rainwater re-use system has the capacity to recycle more than two million gallons of water every year – thus covering landscaping around the soccer stadium site as well as future development in the Midway Development District.
“This landmark water re-use system is a tremendous example of our bold commitment to supporting thriving, sustainable communities,” said Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. “Saint Paul is committed to ensuring the long-term vitality of our community and environment. This investment into smart green infrastructure is a vital step forward.”
The largest and smartest of its kind, the rainwater re-use system can store more than 675,000 gallons of water. It will initially be used to irrigate the 20,500 square feet of grass on the Great Lawn and the 192 mature trees planted across the site. The system includes a “smart hub,” designed by a team of experts led by the City of Saint Paul and built by local contractors, which can analyze and clean the collected water as well as read weather forecasts to predict rainfall and adjust water levels accordingly. This will optimize and expand future uses of the system as planned re-development at the site continues and the needs for environmental sustainability increase.
“A rainwater reuse system of this scale in Minnesota is ground-breaking,” said Mark Doneux, administrator for Capitol Region Watershed District. “We applaud the successful public-private partnerships that went into making this innovative reuse system possible and hope this project can serve as an inspiration for future sustainable infrastructure projects in the Twin Cities.”
The interpretive monument was created by Coldspring Granite and is made of Mesabi black granite from a quarry near Babbitt, Minnesota. Laser-etched with diagrams of tree trenches and the water harvesting process, the monument’s goal is to educate people about the innovative sustainable water system directly beneath the grass surface, and ultimately the importance of optimizing our natural environment for the good of all people.
“Allianz Field exemplifies architecture and construction based on environmental sustainability, and we are proud to see that principle extended in the surrounding area through the City’s development of this innovative water collection and re-use system” said Dr. Bill McGuire, the managing partner of the Minnesota United FC soccer team that built the stadium itself. “We are excited to be part of the Snelling-Midway neighborhood, and look forward to its continued growth and development that focuses on a healthy future for the environment, this area, our community and the state.”
The project has been financed in part with funds provided by the Capitol Region Watershed District, the Metropolitan Council and the State of Minnesota Clean Water Fund. The system was commissioned May 2019 and is currently fully operational.
To learn more about the landmark rainwater reuse system in the Snelling-Midway neighborhood, visit www.stpaul.gov/allianz.
Above is a rendering of the monument display
