The City of Mount Rainier has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment, administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, to support its continued efforts to enhance stormwater management through green infrastructure.

This funding, part of the Prince George’s County Stormwater Stewardship Program, will help the City replace impervious sidewalks with permeable pavement to improve water quality and advance the goals outlined in the County’s Climate Action Plan.

Since completing its Urban Green Infrastructure Master Plan in 2013, the City has prioritized the installation of permeable materials, such as Flexi-Pave, to reduce stormwater runoff, minimize flooding, ease the burden on storm drains, and improve the health of local waterways flowing into the Chesapeake Bay. Permeable surfaces also help trap pollutants, prevent erosion, and protect tree roots (allowing rainwater to feed the tree and cause the tree roots to grow down into the soil instead of going upward and damage the sidewalks) by allowing water to filter through naturally.

The new Flexi-Pave sidewalks will be installed at the following locations:

• June 16–20, 2025: 37th Street (between Eastern Ave and Newton St)
• June 23–27, 2025: 29th Street (between Taylor St and Upshur St)
• June 30–July 7, 2025: Shepherd Street (between 31st St and 32nd St)

The City has contracted Grace Management and Construction to carry out the project, which is expected to begin in June 2025, weather permitting. City Manager Kourosh Kamali will oversee the project. This grant was secured through a collaborative effort between the City Manager, the Grant Writer, and the Public Works Department.

The City of Mount Rainier expresses its gratitude to Prince George’s County Department of the Environment and the Chesapeake Bay Trust for their continued support in helping build a cleaner, greener, and more resilient community, one sidewalk at a time.