Problems at Findorff Construction site, 3500 University Ave

.

This site (including the other side of the building) is 1.4 acres, and hence requires an erosion control permit from both Shorewood and the DNR.  Findorff has an erosion control permit from Shorewood.  Karl Frantz of Shorewood is the one responsible for this project.

It's true that rain gardens are being installed in these new parking lots, which will reduce sediment and pollution runoff.  Yet the lifecycle savings in pollution from these gardens must be balanced against the pollution that occurs during construction.

Those gardens may last and provide sediment reduction for 30 years?   Yet, a severe rainstorm during construction could cause as much sediment erosion and loss as 10-20 years of those hoped-for reductions.  In other words, poor erosion control during construction could negate a large percentage of the benefits of a rain garden project.  It's like throwing money down the stormsewer.

All four gravel pads are too short and too narrow.

Stormwater inlets in the streets nearby have no filters.

Concrete washout was poured down this storm sewer behind the Credit Union.  While there was a filter inside, the highly alkaline water will go right through the filter.  It washes to University Bay, and has the potential to cause a fish kill there.



More photos

Contractor Report has observed many violations of erosion control regulations by Findorff Construction.