Green residential demolitions: Case study of vacant land reuse in storm water management in cleveland

The demolition process impacts how vacant land might be reused for storm water management. For five residential demolition sites (Cleveland, Ohio), an enhanced green demolition process was observed in 2012, and soil physical and hydrologic characteristics were measured predemolition and postdemolition (including within the excavation). Measurements were taken again in 2013 after backfill and topsoil had settled for 1 year. In their predemolition condition, the sites were found to be underlain with sandy loam soils, with three of the parcels containing close to 100% impervious area. The subgrade excavated surface was compacted by excavator activity and had overall moderate permeability. This pilot feasibility study indicates that the green specifications suggested were partially successful in producing vacant lots that were useful for storm water management. Although coarser sandy loam soils were specified, the actual placement of fine-textured fill soils with lower permeability led to higher runoff potential. In each of the five demolitions, the specification for complete debris removal was apparently effective, with less measured buried debris than for traditional demolitions. Contractors need better guidance on soil selection and placement to yield vacant land that is flexible and usable for green infrastructure and other redevelopment options.