The Watershed Senior Housing Development
Community Partners for Affordable Housing

Vigil-Agrimis, Inc. (VAI) assisted William Wilson Architects and Community Partners for Affordable Housing with engineering design, landscape architecture, and permitting support for this mixed-use senior housing development located in southwest Portland. In addition to housing units, the development includes ground floor commercial space, parking, and a community center. Called “The Watershed at Hillsdale”, the building was certified LEED Silver and highlighted in several national publications for its innovative green features and cleanup of a brownfield site.

VAI incorporated a sustainable approach for this site’s stormwater management by integrating elements of the stormwater collection and treatment into the overall site plan. VAI evaluated options for harvesting and storing rainwater for non-potable uses such as irrigation, fire water, or toilet flushing. The stormwater plan directs sheet flow into landscaped areas which not only convey and treat stormwater, but also enhance site aesthetics. This approach minimizes stormwater infrastructure and prevents runoff from leaving the site. Rooftop gardens were also incorporated into the final design to further improve on-site stormwater management.

VAI assisted with permitting and engineering support for the submission of a required Site Development permit to the City of Portland. Permitting support included providing an erosion control plan and details consistent with City Site Development permit requirements, providing a grading and excavation plan for the proposed brown field excavation work, and assisting in developing a stormwater management plan consistent with the Site Development permit requirements, Bureau of Environmental Services requirements, and Department of Environmental Quality restrictions.