2-500 West Beautification - Cooling effects urban storm water strategy.pdf
PDF 13 MB Posted
- Solicitation number
- RDW26064
- Issued by
- Utah
About this file
This file is a technical planning document prepared by Salt Lake City for the 500 West Beautification and Connectivity Plan, specifically addressing cooling effects and urban stormwater management strategy for the Granary District. The project encompasses roadway design improvements along 500 West from 600 South to 900 South, with design services scheduled from September 2026 through December 2028. The work includes pre-design and final PS&E (Plans, Specifications, and Estimates) for roadway reconstruction that integrates beautification elements with infrastructure improvements to address existing flooding and heat island challenges in the district.
The project combines two critical infrastructure components: tree canopy and shade analysis to reduce surface temperatures by up to 20 degrees and air temperatures by up to 9 degrees, and comprehensive stormwater management utilizing both conventional infrastructure (curb and gutter, storm pipes, detention facilities) and green infrastructure (landscape swales and infiltration basins). The Granary District currently experiences surface temperatures exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit with only 1.6% tree canopy coverage in Downtown Salt Lake City, and lacks adequate drainage infrastructure including curb and gutters and underground storm pipe systems. The proposed design includes curb cuts directing stormwater runoff to shallow planted stormwater gardens with underdrains connected to storm pipes, allowing shallow street flooding up to 6 inches during storm events while managing the 100-year floodplain conditions. The plan demonstrates projected temperature reductions through increased tree canopy and shaded infrastructure improvements while simultaneously addressing the 1% annual chance floodplain designation affecting the project area.
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AUGUST 2026
500 West: Beautification and Connectivity Plan measuring the cooling effect: trees, shade and temperature
Example heat profile of a proposed Granary block (600 - 700 South) Demonstrates improved air and surface temperatures due to trees and vegetation. Projection Based on Average July temperature from 1 pm to 3 pm
Trees and plantings can help reduce ambient air and surface temperatures. As temperatures rise, their role in temperature reduction is increasingly important. Shade makes a hot day tolerable.
Land Surface Temperature is measured by satellite and indicates how hot a given surface would feel to the touch. The Granary District experiences surface temperatures exceeding 120°F.
Source: Livability and the Urban Forest in Salt Lake City, Chapter 3
“Heat islands” occur when cities replace natural land cover with surfaces that absorb and retain heat, like paving and buildings. Tree canopy only covers 1.6% of Downtown. Tree canopy mitigates the urban heat island.
Notes:
1. For the purposes of this analysis, deciduous trees are assumed to be approximately 25-30 feet tall and wide, and ornamental trees approximately 20 feet tall and wide, based on their anticipated average height 10 years after planting. Tree species have not yet been selected, and the graphics are for illustrative purposes only.
2. This study uses data collected at the SLC Airport Weather Station during the peak heat hours in July, when air temperatures reached approximately 94°F.
Example heat profile of an existing Granary block (600 - 700 South) Demonstrates heat island affect that currently exists today.
Projection Based on Average July temperature from 1 pm to 3 pm
TREE CANOPY AND SHADE ANALYSIS
SURFACE TEMPERATURE ANALYSIS
92.73 °F
91.41 °F
90.09 °F
99.31 °F
96.68 °F
100.63°F 103.27°F
96.68°F
101.95°F
On July 12, 2026, Salt Lake City reached
109 degrees, the hottest temperature ever recorded in SLC.
Access to shade and trees can determine whether a hot day is merely uncomfortable or a serious threat to health.
Source: Jeff Rose: When Shade Is a Lifeline, The University of Utah
Trees can reduce summer air temperature by up to 9 degrees.
Additional planted areas can reduce surface temperature by up to 20 degrees.
Source: Rob Wilson, Rowland Hall Upper School
N
N
700 South
600 South
600 South
700 South
Example heat profile of a proposed Granary block (600 - 700 South) Trees and shade significantly affect temperature.
Example heat profile of an existing Granary block (600 - 700 South)
Temperature
90.09 92.73 95.36 98.00 100.6391.41 94.05 96.68 99.31 101.95 103.27 °F
INCREASED TREE CANOPY
SHADED BIKE LANE
PARKING SPACES
IMPROVED VEGETATION COVER
Homepage FEMA Floodplains Active Projects Floods, Fires & Fans GIS Resources
Utah Flood Hazard AtlasUtah Flood Hazard AtlasUtah Flood Hazard Atlas
Visit Utah's Floodplain Mapping and Management SiteTo reach Utah's Floodplain Mapping Program write to: floodhazards@utah.gov
Visit FEMA's Map Service Center:
https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home
Salt Lake City
Click to read about the data
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AUGUST 2026
Example view of a proposed Granary block stormwater system Note: the blue in this diagram shows where water will be managed using current city standards, allowing shallow flooding in the streets up to 6” depth.
Existing Condition Showing Granary District flooding
WHAT IS THIS MAP SHOWING?
For properties located within the 1-percent-annual-chance floodplain there is a 1% or greater chance of being flooded in any year. Why does the 100 year floodplain matter so much?
| • | Affects permitting and may restrict development. |
| • | Requires many property owners to carry flood insurance. |
| • | As a changing climate affects the intensity of rainstorms, |
flooding in the 100-year floodplain is likely to be more frequent than every 100 years.
Urban stormwater management is the planning, design, and operation of systems that collect, convey, store, treat, infiltrate, and safely discharge rainwater and snowmelt within developed, urban areas.
The proposed stormwater management strategy combines conventional infrastructure and green infrastructure. During a storm event, curb and gutter direct water to shallow planted areas in the landscape. These areas collect and filter the water before it enters the underground storm drain system.
• Conventional infrastructure: use of curb and gutter, storm pipes, inlets, channels, detention facilities to capture, channel and manage stormwater.
• Landscape solutions: swales, or shallow infiltration basins, treat and manage the stormwater on the surface through the landscape, also called Green Infrastructure.
500 West in the Granary District currently lacks adequate drainage infrastructure such as curb and gutters and underground storm pipe, increasing the risk of water entering properties and frequent flooding in storm events.
Source: Stormwater Capital Improvement Plan - Floodplain Management Study
Projected flooding event in an existing Granary block Based on Utah Flood Hazard Atlas
1% Annual Flood Chance (100-year Floodplain)
0.2% Annual Flood Chance (500-year Floodplain)
WHAT IS URBAN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT?
THE GRANARY
DISTRICT IS HERE
700 SOUTH
800 SOUTH
900 SOUTH
PROPOSED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
HOW IS URBAN STORMWATER MANAGED?
500 West: Beautification and Connectivity Plan urban STORMWATER MANAGEMENT strategy
STORMWATER GARDEN IMAGE
REVISED FLOODING
CAPACITY DURING A
100-YEAR STORM EVENT
SHALLOW STORMWATER TREATMENT
UNDERDRAIN
Connected to Stormwater Pipe 24” STORMWATER PIPE
CURB CUTS
Direct water to the landscape
PROJECTED FLOODING IN THE
STREETS COULD REACH 2’ DEPTH
STORMWATER RUNOFF
Captured into the Stormwater Garden Area
OTHER UTILITIES
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