The Cedar Rapids Public Library in Iowa is a textbook example of how pervious pavement can work in concert with other stormwater management features. Replacing an older building that was destroyed by a flood, OPN Architects wanted the new municipal facility to set a good example of how to manage rainwater. The downtown library is located only a few blocks away from the Cedar River, a watershed that is sensitive to runoff. "The project wanted to do what it could to limit the amount of rainwater flowing into the city storm system by retaining as much on-site as possible. The more we can limit peak stormwater flow, the less infrastructure costs the city will incur and peak flood crests in the future will be lower," explains Matthew Stewart, an architect and project manager for OPN. "This prompted the use of pervious pavement, underground detention basins, irrigation storage tanks, and a green roof."
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