LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Stormwater Stakeholder Advisory Committee met Friday to examine findings from a comprehensive case study of Town Branch Commons, the downtown trail project that has become a model for integrating stormwater management with public infrastructure.

Jordan Phemister, a senior lecturer in landscape architecture at the University of Kentucky, presented results from the investigation, which was published through the Landscape Architecture Foundation's Case Study Investigation program. The research examined how the project's bioswales, rain gardens and permeable paving reduced impervious surfaces by 3.6 percent and annual stormwater runoff by 29 percent.

The 2.5-mile Town Branch Commons, which opened in 2022 and connects downtown to neighborhoods and the surrounding Bluegrass landscape, has become a national example of resilient urban design. The Commons also expanded the city's tree canopy with more than 300 new trees and created over 68,000 square feet of habitat composed primarily of native species.

Phemister highlighted the research team's findings on social and economic benefits alongside environmental gains. Survey data from 106 respondents showed significant community support for the project's sustainability goals, with improvements in both actual and perceived safety along the corridor. The research documented reduced collision rates and vehicle speeds, while visitors reported increased physical activity and improved mental well-being when using the trail.

The committee also heard presentations on Kentucky Watershed Watch's water quality monitoring efforts and LFUCG's water quality monitoring program, which includes quarterly volunteer sampling at 63 stream sites throughout Fayette County.

The advisory committee, composed of community volunteers and stakeholders, serves as a sounding board for LFUCG's Division of Water Quality on stormwater and water quality issues. The group approved meeting dates for 2027 and discussed potential topics for future sessions.