LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Helix Garage in downtown Lexington was voted one of the coolest parking garages in America.
The 1960s landmark got a face lift in 2012. With its lights and artistic design, the facility is more than just functional. Now, after much work, the Helix Garage is going to help improve Lexington water quality.
The Lexington Parking Authority was awarded a grant to fund a new $220,000 storm water treatment system. They decided they wanted to do their part and use the money wisely.
"Garages have a lot of dirty water. Cars bring in grease, oil, salt in the winter time. All of this normally when it rains in any parking lot is going to get washed into our storm system. In this case, into Town Branch," Lexington Parking Authority Executive Director Gary Means told LEX 18's Alexa Helwig.
The Lexington Parking Authority used the grant to make a new storm water filter system with the goal of substantially improving the water quality of Town Branch, Lexington's first water source. It took a year of work, but it is finally finished.
Gary Means showed Alexa Helwig, just how it works.
"The water from the roof and then some of the floors if rain comes in at an angle all runs down and runs through two 1,000 gallon tanks," said Means.
The most visible part of the new water treatment system is at the bottom of one of America's coolest parking facilities, the Helix Garage. As rainwater falls down, it will filter through colored gravel and then be diverted to Town Branch, making one of the coolest parking spots, even cooler.
