Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson, Department of Water Management and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Introduce West Side Wing Storage Pilot Project

CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with the Department of Water Management (DWM), the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), and Alderwoman Emma Mitts, gathered today to tour the site of a new Wing Storage pilot project on the city's West Side. This innovative project aims to reduce flooding and strengthen climate resilience in the area.

Mayor Johnson emphasized the importance of investing in resilient infrastructure to protect Chicagoans from severe storms. He stated, "Every Chicagoan deserves to feel confident that their home, business, and neighborhood are protected from increasingly severe storms." He also highlighted the significance of this project for West Side communities that have been repeatedly affected by flooding.

The $12 million infrastructure investment will fund the construction of two underground Wing Storage installations, providing a total storage capacity of 1.7 million gallons. These installations will help reduce street and basement flooding and protect over 2,900 homes, businesses, and other buildings in the 28th, 29th, and 37th wards.

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Wing Storage is an underground detention system that utilizes existing sewer infrastructure to temporarily store excess stormwater during heavy rainfall. This approach expands local stormwater capacity without requiring large above-ground structures and helps mitigate flooding in surrounding neighborhoods.

DWM Commissioner Randy Conner expressed his confidence in this innovative solution for fighting flooding as climate change continues to impact the city. He stated, "Projects like this one make it possible to address flooding more quickly and efficiently in targeted areas than replacing whole sections of our sewer system."

The project is a partnership between DWM and MWRD, with each agency contributing towards the $12 million investment. The first location was completed earlier this year on Maypole Avenue in the 29th ward. The second tank is currently being installed on LeMoyne Street in the 37th ward.

MWRD President Kari K. Steele praised the collaboration between agencies and local officials in bringing this project to fruition. She stated, "Together, we're investing in resilient infrastructure that will help protect residents from stormwater challenges."

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This project comes after severe flooding in West Side neighborhoods during major storms in July 2023. It is part of the city's broader strategy to advance climate resilience and environmental justice through equitable infrastructure investments. The communities expected to benefit from this project include North and South Austin, West Garfield Park, and Galewood.

Alderwoman Emma Mitts, who has been a strong advocate for this project, expressed her gratitude for the groundbreaking. She stated, "For years, residents have shared the challenges that repeated flooding brings to their homes, businesses, and daily lives." She also emphasized the importance of delivering meaningful infrastructure improvements that directly respond to the needs of the community.

Construction will continue over the coming months with ongoing community engagement and updates throughout the implementation process. The City and MWRD will also evaluate the performance of this pilot project to inform future flood mitigation efforts and strengthen Chicago's long-term strategy for building more resilient infrastructure in the face of severe weather events.

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