The Duffyfield Stormwater Enhancement Project proposes to vastly improve stormwater management in the community by implementing improvements to the Biddle Street Pond and Pump Station and constructing linear wetlands with a storage capacity of approximately 2.27 million gallons of stormwater runoff. The project also includes the installation of stormwater infrastructure (roadside swales, catch basins, and piping) in the vicinity of the project area to facilitate the drainage of the surrounding community into the proposed linear wetlands. The completed project will reduce risks downstream as substantial area for flood storage and infiltration will be provided where there has been none. 3 The proposed project mitigates flooding in the Duffyfield neighborhood by creating a series of interconnected constructed stormwater wetland areas capable of detaining approximately 2.27 million gallons of stormwater that is slowly discharged via pump station to the downstream Jack Smith Creek Wetlands and ultimately, the Neuse River. The project effectively provides 10-year-level flood mitigation to a neighborhood with 58 historic properties, 4 critical facilities, 112 residential properties, and 4 community support and park sites. Currently, inundated streets in the community directly impact access to the Duffyfield Child Development Center, a Head Start program, and several churches that provide valuable community support services such as food boxes. Mitigating flood impacts in this low-lying area will have impacts upgradient particularly in mitigating potential flooding on Neuse Boulevard that would inhibit first responders from leaving the fire station as well as access to the hospital, Carolina East Health System. Incorporating an innovative, nature-based approach to repurpose FEMA-acquired lots and vacant underutilized property in a disadvantaged community to mitigate flooding.
