Virginia Commonwealth University
IN-1: Innovation 1

VCU has implemented innovative stormwater management initiatives on both campuses. VCU has three vegetated roofs, one on each campus and one at our off-campus environmental research center, the VCU Rice Center. On the main Monroe Park Campus, VCU have installed an "engineered" stormwater bio-retention area on the south side of the School of Business/School of Engineering Building. The area is approximately 70'x45' and is undercut by approximately 7', then backfilled with two bottom layers of gravel, a layer of sand with filter fabric, then filled to grade with topsoil. The area is no more than one foot lower than the surrounding area and was planted with grass so it is unlikely that anyone recognizes that it is there. Bayscaping, landscaping that benefits the Chesapeake Bay, has been installed along the walkway to the Trani Life Sciences Building and is also planted at the Harris Hall Rain Garden. These stormwater management initiatives collectively help to reduce the amount of contaminants and sediments in the runoff that flows directly into the James River. Two 6,000-gallon cisterns have also been installed outside of the Cary Street Gym, which allows VCU to capture rainwater and use it for irrigation in the surrounding landscape. The Rice Center also has cisterns to capture rainwater, which is then used to flush the toilets in the building.