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10/05/2026 11:15 am

Peterson Street Stormwater Bioretention Area

Green Stormwater Infrastructure in Urban Heat Islands

Using GSI to Mitigate Stormwater and Heat Island Effects

Updated: Oct 5, 2026

We added green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) to reduce Urban Heat Islands (UHIs)! This project on Levister Court at Walnut Terrace will lower temperature on the paved sidewalk by providing shade to and improve the water quality of Rocky Branch, which drains into Walnut Creek.

Project Details

 
Type:
Stormwater
Budget:
$561,065 (Project Identification, Design, Permitting); $266,173 (Construction)
Project Lead:
Stormwater Management
Contractors:
Tetra Tech (Engineer); HGS, LLC (Contractor)

Contact

 

Amy Farinelli
Stormwater Engineer
amy.farinelli@raleighnc.gov
919-996-4008

Lead Department:
Water

Subscribe

 

Planning

We identified and evaluated three potential locations to install GSI projects throughout the City of Raleigh.

Public Meeting

We recently held an open house to hear feedback from the public. Weren't able to attend? Check out the links below to learn more about the upcoming project areas.

Project Goal

The primary goal of this project is to use GSI to reduce the UHI effect and improve stormwater management in disproportionately impacted and vulnerable communities of Raleigh.

Benefits

When implemented with tree canopy and other plants, GSI can reduce heat island impacts and reducing flooding for smaller storms. By using plants and soil, these GSI projects will store water and absorb pollution into the ground when it rains, improving the quality and health of downstream waterbodies.

Lead Department:
Engineering Services

Design

We completed detailed design and permitting in July 2024. Stormwater runoff flowing to the storm drain on Levister Court will drain into a bioretention area that extends under the sidewalk using a suspended pavement system, or tree well. A large tree will be included for shade.

Lead Department:
Engineering Services

Construction

This phase is complete.

Lead Department:
Engineering Services

Complete

We completed this project in June 2026. Neighbors can expect some light work, mostly involving replanting of vegetation, this fall. This green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) device will provide shade and improve the water quality of Rocky Branch, which drains into Walnut Creek. 

Location: Levister Court at Walnut Terrace

Lead Department:
Water

Project Map

The project map shows where green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) will be installed with a description of the project.

Schedule

DateActivity
Summer 2023Project kickoff
Fall 2023 Site identification, prioritization, and selection 
Winter/Early 2024Project design begins
February 24, 2024Public meeting scheduled at John P “Top” Greene Community Center
Fall 2024Project design complete
Spring 2026Construction begins
Summer 2026Construction complete

Summary of Project

Thermal Image of a tree at Chavis Park showing cooling effect of tree cover.

Thermal image of a tree in Chavis Park. This image shows the importance of tree canopy to provide cooling impacts on hot days. The baseball field behind the tree shows much higher temperature readings than the area under the shade of the tree. 

The City previously conducted a study to collect data need to better identify the UHI locations within Raleigh. Find out more information, data collected from the study, and Raleigh’s heat islands interactive map on the Urban Heat Islands website.

GSI can help reduce the effects of UHI, while also storing rainwater and reducing localized flooding. The City has contracted with Tetra Tech to identify and design GSI opportunities to mitigate the impacts of climate change and UHI effect in disproportionately impacted communities. Proposed GSI will include plantings and street trees that improve shade in UHIs, while also providing water quality benefit.

This project is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding. For more information on funding for this project, visit the ARPA Infrastructure Projects website.

Resources

 

Protect Yourself from Extreme Heat

Mitigating Extreme Heat in Raleigh

NCDHHS Summer Heat Emergency Data and Prevention Tips

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