Sleepy Hollow East Parcel Climate Resilient Redevelopment Plan

This urban renewal project aims to transform a flood-prone former industrial site into a multi-purpose space using resiliency strategies to adapt to a changing climate.

Location

New York, USA

The Village of Sleepy Hollow, New York is implementing a suite of green infrastructure and resiliency projects on the former site of the General Motors assembly plant, which was vacated in the 1990’s. To fill this void in the heart of the city, Sleepy Hollow looked to give the low-lying impervious site a new purpose to serve the now primarily residential community.

The site, located adjacent to the tidal portion of the Hudson River, faces both river and coastal flooding threats. The urban renewal project will transform the site into a public amenity, while balancing several competing goals: maximizing recreational space; improving flood resistance and stormwater treatment capacity; accommodating and protecting the Department of Public Works facility within the flood zone; and maintaining the economic vitality of the village.

WSP took a holistic approach in re-imagining the flood-prone area and designing a collection of infrastructure improvements that serve multiple purposes and help respond to extreme events. The plan raises the existing Department of Public Works facilities out of the floodplain; incorporates pervious pavement in the parking lot and a great lawn area designed to be flooded, and a multi-purpose athletic field and large bioswale designed to retain stormwater; and includes a terraced community center with civic plaza that also serves as an emergency response center.