Pervious concrete was used as an integral part of the storm water management plan for the site of Finley Stadium. Because of the site’s history and location near the river in Chattanooga’s downtown area, it was very important to control all water runoff from the site.

Pervious concrete was installed in strips adjacent to each median in the parking area, with the runoff from the drive lanes of the parking area sloped toward the pervious concrete. The strips were designed to catch both the water runoff from the parking area and to catch the majority of fluids leaked from vehicles.

Once the pervious concrete collected the runoff, the water was directed, via an underground drainage collection system, to a holding tank on the site. From here, the water was recycled to water the playing field of the stadium, resulting in an ingenious water management system that prevented water from leaving the site and reduced the long-term cost of maintaining the grass on the playing field.

The parking lot was constructed in 1997 and as the pictures illustrate the pervious concrete has held up very well. The trees and median strips have also matured in that time, helped along by the pervious concrete’s ability to provide water to their root systems without the need for constant artificial irrigation. Finley Stadium is an outstanding example of intelligent design that takes advantage of the SOLID VALUE offered by pervious concrete.

For more information about this project contact the Tennessee Ready Mixed Concrete Association at www.trmca.org

To learn more about the benefits of concrete in your next parking area contact Warren Burns, Director of Concrete Promotion, at wburns@nrmca.org