Sterling Heights Completes $1.1 Million Green Infrastructure Project, Enhancing Stormwater Management and Recreation
Sterling Heights, Michigan, has completed a $1.1 million renovation of the Sterling Relief Drain, transforming it into a green infrastructure corridor. This project, a collaboration between Sterling Heights and Macomb County officials, aims to improve stormwater management and water quality while creating new recreational opportunities for residents. The initiative involved restoring 100 acres of habitat, planting 5,000 trees and shrubs, and constructing a half-mile pedestrian and biking path. The drain, located south of Metropolitan Parkway, handles approximately 20% of the city's stormwater and snowmelt, flowing into the Clinton River and ultimately Lake St. Clair. The green infrastructure approach utilizes native plants to filter pollutants and reduce the volume of water entering the downstream sewer system. Funding for the project came from various sources, including Sterling Heights, Macomb County, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, DTE, and Consumers Energy. 
