A New Walkway with a Green Twist Greets Arriving Students

Flexi-Pave entry for Moon Library
8/25/2008

Students walk to class today on new walkways around the quad, new stairways, and new building entrances at Illick and Marshall Halls as well as Moon Library that are more environmentally friendly.

The bridge entrance to F. Franklin Moon Library is now surfaced with 'Flexi-Pave', a 50-percent ratio of stone and recycled tires mixed with a urethane binder. Underneath the Flexi-Pave is a 'Warm Zone' heating system to eliminate snow and ice in the winter. Flexi-Pave is porous so rain and melting snow flow through to the ground instead of producing puddles or runoff. Installation of this system means salt and sand won't be needed and that will help protect the newly re-furbished library.

"We're thrilled to think that the snow will magically melt before our students reach the Library front door! This should help keep our newly renovated space looking fresh and clean for years to come," said Elizabeth Elkins, Director of College Libraries.

'Flexi-Pave' and new bicycle storage racks were also installed at Illick and Marshall Halls.

The northeast corner of Illick Hall is the location for a new bioretention basin made up of soil and plants where a third of the rainwater from the roof will be diverted. The idea, suggested by a class project, is to demonstrate how runoff can be controlled so storm drainage systems are not overwhelmed during heavy rains.

"What we're doing is diverting rainwater from the roof of Illick Hall to the bioretention basin instead of the storm sewers. Plants will use the water, evaporation will return water to the atmosphere, and excess water will be filtered through the soil before entering the natural environment," explained ESF ecological engineer Douglas Daley. The plants used include spice bush, chokeberry, Virginia sweet spirer, witchhazel, and sweet bay magnolia, which are all very tolerant of wet soil.

Another rainwater diversion project is being installed as part of the renovation work on Baker Laboratory. Four 1,000 gallon storage tanks have been installed in the basement of Baker Lab to collect rainwater from the roof. The water will be used in the building's cooling towers.