Description
The Logan Gardens green roof is an extensive green roof that utilizes a pre-vegetated tray system. It was installed on the southern roof of the building outside the community room. The total roof area is 1,271 square feet, of which the green roof covers 1,050 square feet.
Our partner, Community Assisted Tenant Controlled Housing (CATCH) received a grant and a low interest loan from Deutsche Bank to “green” three buildings from CATCH’s portfolio of low income residential properties. We determined that Logan Gardens senior housing presented an opportunity for a green roof. The neighborhood is served by the combined sewer system and reducing the amount and slowing the rate of stormwater entering the sewer system contributes to reducing combined sewer overflow discharges into the Hudson River.
The green roof design was limited by the load bearing capacity of the roof, which indicated an extensive roof with a shallower medium. We selected the southern roof for not only the light availability but also for the visibility for the green roof from the residents’ community room which overlooks the southern roof. However, because of the load, we are not able to use the green roof as a public assembly space for residents.
For more information on this project, visit the Lower Hudson Coalition of Conservation Districts' "2014 NEIWPCC Green Infrastructure Projects" webpage on the right hand column.
Site Location
- Site Name: Logan Gardens Housing Development Finance Corporation
- Address: 450 West 131st Street, Manhatan, NY
- Owner: Logan Gardens HDFC, Inc.
- County: New York
- Watershed: Hudson River
- Land use of site: High density residential
- Can this site be visited? No
- Location on site: Southern portion of the roof at the Penthouse level
Practice Details
- Intent of design: Reduce combined sewer overflows by reducing the amount and slowing the rate of stormwater that enters the sewer system. Green roofs are some of the most efficient systems in stormwater retention, since they offer many benefits beyond their primary function of stormwater capture.
- Size of structure/capacity: 1,050 square feet of green roof
- Size of drainage area: 1,271 square feet
- Plants or materials used: The green roof is a pre-vegetated modular tray system consisting of protection layer, water storage materials, irrigation, edging, gravel, pavers, and pre-vegetated trays. Each pre-vegetated tray includes several sedum species.
- Maintenance: The green roof is outfitted with an automated irrigation system to prevent sedum dormancy and dieback during periods of drought. Periodic weeding will be carried out to remove any unwanted and invasive plants from colonizing the roof. Nutrients will be amended to the system on an annual basis to promote plant health. Finally, all drains will be checked and kept clear of debris to ensure proper drainage.
- Maintained by: Highview Creations (contractor) for Year 1, building superintendent and/or District staff (Year 2 and beyond)
Design/Installaion Information
- Design: Highview Creations, Inc.
- Installation: Highview Creations, Inc.
- Other project parners: Community Assisted Tenant Controlled Housing, Inc. (CATCH) a not-for-profit organization providing technical assistance to governance of the tenants association – liaison between the NYC Soil & Water Conservation District, the property owner, and the tenants association; Wave Crest Management, a property management company - provided access to the building and assisted with structural assessment, design and installation of the green roof.
- Date of installation: November 24 - December 8, 2014
- Zoning change or special permit required: No
- Project cost: $75,500.00 (including preparation of roof to support green roof)
- Form of payment: Grant funds (from the NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program, in partnership with New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission), with additional support from Deutsche Bank and NYC Soil & Water Conservation District
For Additional Site Information
Contact: Shino Tanikawa, Executive Director, NYC Soil and Water Conservation District
Email: shino@nycswcd.net
Phone: (212) 431-9676 x315
