The City of Ferndale closed 3rd Avenue between Main Street and Alder Street to all traffic and pedestrians back in July so they and a contractor could install new utilities, pavement surface and sidewalks.
In addition to improving sidewalk and road surfaces, permeable concrete was used for the parking areas on both sides of the road (a noticeably lighter color than the roadway asphalt surface).
Permeable concrete allows water to flow through it. Underneath the concrete are sand-filled channels to collect and filter the surface water. As designed, the gutters along the curb are tilted toward the concrete sections instead of collecting water as is typically seen.
The low-impact storm water system qualified the project for grant funding from the Department of Ecology.