Milton unveils Magnolia Street project

Milton officials unveiled plans for a drainage improvement project to alleviate flooding problems at the municipal parking lot on Magnolia Street.

Public Works Director Greg Wingo said depending on the scope of the project, it could cost $188,000. The project could include repairs to the bulkhead and brick walkway adjacent to the parking lot. Wingo said town officials have begun talks with state officials about possible funding sources.

“This project will eliminate what we call nuisance flooding,” Mayor Ted Kanakos said.

Three sources of water converge in the flood-prone area: the Broadkill River, an underground stream that empties behind the Milton Historical Society building and Wagamons Pond.

“If we have just a normal high tide out there, we experience flooding in the parking lot. This is going to eliminate all that,” Wingo said.

Under the proposal, the town would install a rain garden at what is now the entrance to the parking lot, which is the lowest point of the lot. He said this plan was preferable to regrading the whole parking lot.

The downside to the plan is it would eliminate about 20 parking spots. There are currently 52 spaces at the lot; if the proposal goes through, there would be 34 spaces.The parking is most frequently used for downtown events, such as Concerts in the Park.

Wingo said he and Town Manager Kristy Rogers have been looking for possible parking spots around town to make up for the spaces that will be lost.

“Taking away parking was a huge, huge concern,” Wingo said.

Rogers said she is working on a plan that will add 24 spaces within downtown Milton that would make up for the spaces lost.

Part of the proposal includes reorienting the entrance and exit to the parking lot. Wingo said there will be enough room at both ends for drivers to turn around.

Wingo said part of the design for the rain garden includes a pump and three discharge pipes to the creek bordering the parking lot, which will eliminate water from all sides.

“We’re taking an impervious barrier out, and we’re making it pervious,” Kanakos said. “We’re hoping the water we capture will permeate into the soil before it gets any worse.”