Walnut Street Neighborhood Flood Mitigation Project

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Walnut Street Neighborhood Flood Mitigation project proposes wetland, stream channel, and streambank restorations to reduce flooding and increase brook capacity in the Walnut Street/Sucker Brook Drainage Area. A new elevated boardwalk path is proposed to replace the existing school path which is currently restricting the natural flow of water. The boardwalk will provide an ADA-accessible route connecting neighborhoods along Walnut Street and Stonybrook Road, Bowditch Athletic Field, the Callahan Senior Center, Fuller Middle School, McCarthy Elementary School, and MassBay Community College. The boardwalk will create a space for the community to connect with nature and learn about climate impacts, resiliency, and the benefits of nature-based solutions.

The project also includes robust public engagement through support of climate leadership enrichment programs with the Framingham High School Environmental Club, Hoops & Homework Youth Program, and the Council on Aging as well as targeted outreach to various segments of the community.

WHY IS THE PROJECT NEEDED?

The densely populated Walnut Street neighborhood is recognized and prioritized by the City due to the known historical flooding issues experienced by its residents.

This environmental justice neighborhood is particularly susceptible to increased impacts from climate change due to its proximity to the Sudbury River, Sucker Brook, an unnamed stream behind Walnut Street, and large wetland areas. Much of the neighborhood is located within the 100-year and 500-year flood zones but is vulnerable to chronic flooding during more frequent storm events.

The proposed ecological restoration project includes several measures to address chronic flooding experienced by the residents of Walnut Street and lead the city towards preparing for climate adaptation.

These measures include:

1. Stream restoration actions to reestablish flow patterns and form along with removing accumulated sediment and other obstructions within segments of Sucker Brook and an unnamed tributary.

2. Restoring and creating flood storage within the limits of an existing pedestrian causeway with the removal of fill placed in former wetlands, installing an elevated boardwalk to provide safe passage, and restoring habitat and stream connectivity with the removal of fill and chain link fence along the causeway.

3. Construction of a stormwater treatment system for untreated stormwater entering the wetland adjacent to the proposed boardwalk.

Combined these measures are intended to alleviate the current flooding concerns through nature-based solutions, reduce conditions conducive to mosquito breeding, and provide safe conditions for the passage of residents and students along this heavily traveled pedestrian corridor.

MUNICIPAL VULNERABILITY PREPAREDNESS (MVP) GRANT FUNDING

MVP Action Grants are awarded to cities, towns or regional partnerships to implement projects that build local resilience to climate change across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  The grants are administered through the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA).  To date, the City has been awarded three rounds of grant funding to support this project. The Baker-Polito administration awarded the City $206,850 in 2020  to support a feasibility and alternatives study, $269,030 in 2021 to support project design, and $155,000 in 2022  to support the advancement of the project through the permitting phase. 
We are actively pursuing additional MVP grant funds to advance this project to construction. The City will need to provide an estimated $800,000 (25% of the project cost) in match funding. Tell your City Councilors to vote to approve the Capital request in support of this project!
PROJECT UPDATE - February 2023•    The City is working with our consultant, Weston & Sampson Engineers to apply for the necessary permits, certificates and licenses that are required to allow construction. 
•    The City is working to identify and secure funding for construction. 
Sign up for our email distribution list for project updates:Notify Me • Framingham, MA • CivicEngage (framinghamma.gov)
Click “Stay Connected” on the left side of the City’s website and look for “Walnut Street Flood Mitigation Project Update.”
public meetings to learn about the projectConservation Commission Meeting Minutes - 5-18-22
Disability Commission 5-25-22
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -7-8-22
Environment & Sustainability Subcommittee 7-18-22
LOCATIONView a larger version of the map below  https://www.framinghamma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/43399/Walnut-Street-Flood-Mitigation-Study_map here LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. 