In the News
There’s a lot to learn about Flexi-Pave and its diverse benefits and applications. Here we have compiled news articles, studies, client write-ups, and other articles discussing our products and related issues. These informative news items will help you become familiar with the Flexi-Pave products, as well as the practical construction and environmental challenges that these products were created to solve.
ENR MidAtlantic Announces Best Project Winners…
“ENR MidAtlantic is excited to announce that the Best Projects 2017 competition winners have been revealed…”
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In Montgomery County, she is reinventing the public park…
“Last summer, Ching-Fang Chen used a hula hoop to place 249 cylindrical hay bales as a sound wall and art installation at a large but little-known park near Clarksburg, Md…”
Rocky Run Park Re-opens after Renovation
After a year of extensive renovations, Arlington County’s famous Rocky Run Park re-opened in Spring of 2014. Flexi-Pave was used extensively throughout the park for courtyard areas.
Flexi-Pave, the new standard for sidewalks in Washington, DC
With more than 160,000 square feet of Flexi-Pave installed in the greater Washington DC area, Flexi-Pave is becoming a household name. Landscape Architects, Engineers, Planners, Arborists, and many others are spec’ing Flexi-Pave on their projects each week. ANC commissions are also seeing the benefits of Flexi-Pave and are now submitting their own lists of areas where they want Flexi-Pave installed in their wards. Almost every day, a Flexi-Pave crew can be seen somewhere in DC installing this revolutionary new sustainable paving material. Read more about it in this article in Elevation DC.
Georgetown Approves Flexi-Pave for Widespread Use in Tree Surrounds
More than a year ago the Georgetown Business Improvement District, DDOT and the Urban Forestry Administration teamed up for a pilot program to install Flexi-Pave in high traffic tree surrounds along M Street in Georgetown. This was significant because Georgetown is a federally protected historic district used by millions or people each year. This heavy foot traffic tramples trees, compacts soils in tree boxes and ultimately kills the street trees. So after carefully monitoring the pilot program during the trial period, The Historic Board, Trees or Georgetown, Casey Trees, DDOT & UFA today approved Flexi-Pave for widespread use throughout Georgetown. Be looking for more tree surrounds to be paved this spring and summer. Read more about it in this article from the Georgetown Dish.
The top professional award – the President’s Award – was presented…for Little Bennet Regional Park.
“At its annual Awards Gala on May 12, the Potomac Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects recognized 16 projects with professional awards. In addition…”
Disabled Veterans Memorial Shines..
“A new memorial opened last month in D.C., this one honoring Veterans Disabled for Life. I’ve watched its progress from the U.S. Botanic Gardens across the street, and seen it presented to a reviewing agency, so was excited to finally see it open…”
Flexi-Pave Workers Caught Doing Good
Recently on a dangerously cold day in the Nation’s Capitol some Capitol Flexi-Pave employees were caught in the act. But this was no time for a reprimand. On the contrary, some CFP workers were caught helping a homeless man brave the bitter cold weather. An inspector for DDOT Kevin Enu spotted the compassionate act and quickly snapped this picture. The CFP employees were giving the man hand warmers and gloves to keep his hands from getting frostbitten. It is noteworthy that a great Biblical principal was fulfilled by these men… “Love your neighbor as yourself” – Mark 12:31 and “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” Luke 6:31. It is also worth pondering, that if each of us stopped and took the time to help just one other person each day, the world would be a much better place – as God intended…
ANC 6B Unanimously Approves Use of Flexi-Pave throughout their district
In late 2013 the ANC 6B commission voted unanimously to support a resolution on the use of Flexi-Pave material to repair sidewalks in southeast Capitol Hill.
Area Sidewalks Damaged by Tree Roots to be Repaired with Flexipave
“About a week ago, I was notified that the District of Columbia’s Urban Forestry Administration (UFA) will soon begin work to repair sidewalks that have been damaged by street trees at locations citywide. According to their notification, this work will be completed using a new sidewalk material, a flexible porous paving, which is commonly called flexipave. The citywide locations have all been identified by a UFA Urban Forester or Ward Arborist and were selected based on the damage to the sidewalk and the necessity of using alternate materials to preserve street trees…”
Eastern Market Historic District Installs Flexi-Pave Sidewalks
Change is always difficult, but in time better technology can meld seamlessly with historic standards. This couldn’t be more true than in Washington DC’s historic Eastern Market where Flexi-Pave has begun to be installed. Business owners and residents were cautious at first, but have since come to see the benefits of this remarkable flexible porous pavement. The ability to eliminate tripping hazards caused by tree roots, and to improve tree health by allowing copious amounts of air and water infiltrating through the pavement have now been realized. Read more about it in this article in the Capital Community News.
State of Maryland Officially Approves Flexi-Pave for Statewide Use
In October of 2013 the State of Maryland Department of General Services officially approved Flexi-Pave for statewide use. Flexi-Pave had already been in use throughout Maryland, but with the formal approval from the State more widespread use is expected. Several projects already installed in Maryland…
Georgetown Tree Surrounds in the News
Wondering what the new tree surrounds in Georgetown were all about? Read the signs! Then read more about it in DC’s Neighborhood Blog PoPville.
Georgetown begins Flexi-Pave pilot program
Recognizing the challenge keeping trees alive while being trampled by thousands of pedestrians along narrow sidewalks to patronize the high end shops and restaurants in Georgetown, the Business Improvement District needed a solution. John Wiebenson & Johnathon Kass of the Georgetown BID consulted with DDOT officials and the Urban Forestry Administration’s director John Thomas and Urban Forester Joey Perez.
They began exploring alternative solutions to meet both the pedestrian safety and tree preservation goals. Flexi-Pave quickly rose to the top of the list of options, so a pilot program on M Street Northwest was started in early 2013 to evaluate the effectiveness of installing Flexi-pave as a replacement for cast-iron tree grates and compacted dirt filled tree boxes. Initially 5 tree boxes were decompacted using the Supersonic Air Knife before being paved with the Flexible Porous Paving material Flexi-Pave which is made from recycled tires and an elastomeric binder so it will allow for continued tree growth without harming the trees as well as allow air and water to pass through to the critical root zone. Read more about it in this article from the Georgetowner.
Eutrophication – the problem with the Bay
So what is eutrophication? H.W. Art, defined eutrophication as “The process by which a body of water acquires a high concentration of nutrients, especially phosphates and nitrates. These typically promote excessive growth of algae. As the algae die and decompose, high levels of organic matter and the decomposing organisms deplete the water of available oxygen, causing the death of other organisms, such as fish. Eutrophication is a natural, slow-aging process for a water body, but human activity greatly speeds up the process.”
Mayor Vincent Gray pleased with Flexi-Pave Sidewalks
On a recent visit to Eastern Market (7th St north of Pennsylvania Ave), Mayor Gray was so pleased about the installation of Flexi-Pave Sidewalks there that he Tweeted about it.
ANC 1B Approves Flexi-Pave Sidewalks & Tree Surrounds
ANC 1B Flexi-pave approval_Minutes_08012013
Another ANC Commission approves the use of Flexi-Pave in their district.
DDOT Endorses Flexi-Pave for Citywide Use
Washington DC is the latest municipality to adopt Flexi-Pave for use as Tree Surrounds and city Sidewalks. Starting in May 2013, Capitol Flexi-Pave entered into a multi-year contract with DDOT to replace failing tree surrounds and sidewalks throughout the city. But rather than just replace the tree grates or fill in the 4′x10′ tree pits with Flexi-Pave, UFA & DDOT decided to take it one step further and actually improve the microenvironment for the district trees. This is being accomplished by enlarging the tree boxes to approximately 18′ wide and and deep as the current sidewalk is.
After the failing concrete is removed, the soil is aerated with a Supersonic Air Knife and Soil Amendments are added to the soil. Then the flexible porous paving is installed flush with the existing sidewalks and paved up to the tree trunk so the soil will no longer be compacted by heavy pedestrian foot traffic, especially in areas near bus stops. Special installation techniques are used where the Flexi-Pave meets the buttress roots of the trees so that as the trunks continue to grow in diameter, the Flexi-Pave can self-adjust without girdling the tree.
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Total Maximum Daily Loads – the 411
To alleviate the problem of eutrophication, EPA created the Clean Water Act to require states to adopt Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) limits as the basis of their water quality improvement. Flexi-Pave has proven to be a cost effective solution for the removal of nutrients from storm water and reducing nutrient pollution. A long term water quality study conducted in 2010 by a Civil Engineering & Environmental Firm showed an amazing 83% reduction in nitrates and an 88% reduction in phosphates from contaminated water flowing through Flexi-Pave.
Whats the deal with Phosphates & Nitrates?
The problem with runoff from impervious surfaces is that as water runs off these surfaces it collects contaminants and byproducts of vehicular traffic, agriculture, manufacturing, etc., such as nutrients, trace metals, oil and grease. These contaminants can include harmful elements such as nitrates and orthophosphates. These pollutants concentrate in storm drains and eventually make their way into bodies of water such as our Chesapeake Bay. Once there, the nitrates & orhthophosphates become food sources for algal blooms which are the first step in the eutrophication.
Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoo Embraces Flexi-Pave
Washington DC’s National Zoo is the latest site to begin installing Flexi-Pave on a large scale. In 2012, Flexi-Pave was installed at two locations at the National Zoo. One of which was the long awaited Conservation Carousel that was built adjacent to the Lion & Tiger exhibit. The carousel is solar powered and features zoo animals rather than traditional horses. All the paving around the carousel, totaling almost 7,000 square feet was poured with Flexi-Pave. Flexi-Pave was chosen for it’s intrinsic properties including stormwater retention, LEED, LID, ADA compatibility and recycled materials. The Carousel is now open to the public so stroll on down the Olmestead walk and kick the proverbial tires of the Zoo’s latest additions. Read more about it at the Zoo’s Carousel website showing all the stats.
The Country Club at Woodmore Finds Perfect Solution to Bridge Restoration Using Flexi-Pave
Golf course bridges are one of the most frequently replaced assets on the course. Through thermal expansion, UV degradation and water damage, wooden bridges don’t typically last more that 10-15 years. After which time they must be rebuilt at great costs, not including lost revenues from down-time for the course. Until recently wood replacement was thought to be the only option. But Flexi-pave offeres a solution that encapsulates the wood with a durable weatherproof material that extends the useful life of the bridge another 30+ years. Don’t take our word for it, read more about it from the Country Cub’s own Blog.
City of Alexandria Thrilled Over New Flexi-Pave Trail
Dora Kelley Park was recently upgraded with a new Flexi-Pave trail surface to raving review of residents and city officials. Read more about it in this article from the West End Alexandria Patch.
Chesapeake Bay at Risk of Slow Death
The Chesapeake Bay is at risk of becoming a large “dead zone” from contaminants in stormwater runoff.
City of Gaithersburg, MD Considers Using Flexi-Pave
After seeing the successful installation of a 14,000 square foot fitness trail made out of Flexi-pave at Lockheed Martin’s Gaithersburg campus, the City of Gaithersburg is considering using Flexi-pave on city sidewalks and tree surrounds.
