Southwest Yonkers Green Infrastructure Feasibility Study

Team: Anna Kramer, Ashish Shrestha, Chris Kennedy, Timon McPhearson

Partners: Groundwork Hudson Valley, Kresge Foundation

This study assesses the feasibility of implementing a network of green infrastructure (GI) in Southwest Yonkers to manage stormwater, reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs), and address climate-driven urban flooding. Developed in collaboration with Groundwork Hudson Valley, the project applies a systematic, goal-oriented framework that prioritizes ecosystem services and beneficiaries to guide the selection and placement of GI practices. The resulting implementation hierarchy reflects local needs and emphasizes equity and sustainability in infrastructure planning.

Technical assessments—drawing on prior hydrologic modeling by the Urban Systems Lab—identified optimal GI interventions for a 52-acre sewershed around Riverdale Avenue. The proposal includes porous pavement, bioswales, and a rain garden to enhance stormwater capture and pollutant reduction, with performance estimated using national calculators. The report concludes with a roadmap for implementation, including stakeholder coordination, design development, and cost estimation—laying the foundation for resilient, community-centered water infrastructure.