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Valley Creek 60% designs show major flood‑risk gains, seek multiple grants
Summary
Stantec presented 60% designs for Valley Creek stream restoration, including ~2,000 ft of bank stabilization, refined riffle/pool hydraulics, 13 regenerative stormwater conveyances, bridge sizing and planting plans; designers reported preliminary hydraulic modeling showing about a 3‑ft reduction in water surface at Lake Street and outlined funding applications and phasing.
Stantec engineers Melissa Curran and Heather Swartz updated the board on 60% designs for the Valley Creek restoration and associated trail and bridge work. Curran said two large grants have funded design work through 90%; a private contribution from developer Vantage (~$2.4 million) is earmarked for construction. Staff also reported grant applications and requests: a DNR Recreational Trails request (~$100,000) for a bridge at the mouth of the creek, a discretionary congressional request (requested $4 million, minimum acceptable $1.5 million), a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation pre‑proposal (~$3.6 million) and a targeted runoff management request (~$200,000).
Heather Swartz reviewed design changes since the 30% stage: inclusion of upstream bank stabilization for an estimated 1,700–2,000 linear feet of eroding banks; refined pool and riffle cross sections and elevations based on hydraulic modeling; proposed regenerative stormwater conveyances (about 13 installations) to slow, treat and infiltrate runoff; and bridge sizing for Northport (approx. 83‑ft; 28x7 precast three‑sided culvert) and Hales Trail (approx. 106‑ft; 42x10 precast three‑sided culvert). The team described a Lake Street daylighting alternative that preliminary modeling shows could lower water surface elevations by roughly 3 feet at that location, a materially large reduction in urban hydraulic terms.
The design set now includes planting lists and preliminary seed mixes; plant selections will be refined with partners including Wisconsin Coastal Management and regional conservation groups. Staff noted some construction elements (certain bridges, recreational trail details) may remain at a later design stage to meet funding timelines. The board asked about pedestrian/vehicle clearances, emergency access for the lake mouth bridge and the phasing of construction; staff said bridge and trail details can be tailored to meet operational needs.
Why it matters: The project aims to reduce flood risk, improve fish passage, address streambank erosion and provide recreational connectivity. The combination of city TID funds, private contributions and competitive grants will determine how much can be constructed in a first phase.
What’s next: Designers will continue to refine 90% designs, coordinate with transportation engineers on bridge and parking impacts, and pursue grant opportunities; some planting/bridge details may be finalized after funding decisions.
