News / January 14, 2022

MWMO Awards Funding for Stormwater Reuse at Former Wells Fargo Site in Minneapolis

Rainwater Harvesting, Green Infrastructure Planned for Mixed-Use Affordable Housing Development Project

MINNEAPOLIS — The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) has awarded grant funding to Project for Pride in Living (PPL) for a rainwater harvesting (aka stormwater reuse) system and other green infrastructure at its planned multi-family housing development at 3030 Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis.

The MWMO Board of Commissioners voted January 11, 2022, to approve a $289,000 Capital Project Grant for the six-story, mixed-use building project, which will replace a former Wells Fargo branch that was damaged during civil unrest in 2020 and then demolished. Along with a new Wells Fargo branch, the project will construct 110 units of affordable housing and affordable commercial condos that will be sold to local entrepreneurs.

Grant funds will be used to support the final design and installation of the stormwater and habitat features at the site. These will include:

a rainwater harvesting system that uses reclaimed stormwater runoff from the building’s roof for toilet flushing and irrigation;
a stormwater infiltration tank that will treat and infiltrate the stormwater from both 3030 Nicollet Avenue and the adjacent parking lot to the north;
a rain garden that will filter water from the roof overflow drains; and
a permeable paver patio area.

PPL anticipates being able to offset 70 percent of the building’s non-potable water use with the rainwater harvesting system. It total, the site’s stormwater features are expected to remove 90 percent of its phosphorus pollution.

Construction is slated to begin in Fall 2022, with anticipated completion in Fall 2023 or early 2024. Project partners and consultants include Design by Melo, WSB, Rainwater Management Solutions, and Weis Builders.

Deadlines Approaching for New Grant Applications

The MWMO is currently accepting applications for the following grant programs:

Planning Grants

Planning Grants are intended to assist organizations to plan and prepare documentation for a project that will be implemented in the near future. The grant amount may not exceed $20,000. Matching funds of 25 percent are required.

Application Deadline: Friday, March 11, 2022

Details: https://www.mwmo.org/get-involved/stewardship-fund-grants/planning-grants/

Capital Project Grants

Capital Project Grants are designed to support final engineering and construction of large-scale, innovative projects that protect or improve water quality and habitat within the MWMO watershed. The MWMO provides both technical and financial assistance to eligible projects.

Application Deadline: Friday, March 18, 2022

Details: https://www.mwmo.org/get-involved/capital-project-grants/

Community Grants

Community Grants are available for short-term or small-scale water quality projects. The grant amount may not exceed $5,000. No matching funds are required.

Application Deadline: Friday, April 8, 2022

Details: https://www.mwmo.org/get-involved/stewardship-fund-grants/community-grants/

###