The Champaign City Council will review and finalize the design and construction plans for a detention basin on West Washington Street during its Tuesday study session.

The West Washington Street Watershed has had severe flooding problems in the past, but this is the first drainage improvement plan to be implemented in that area due to budget limitations, according to a city memorandum.

The proposed basin will cost the city approximately $2.1 million, and construction is set to be complete by November 2014. With the addition of the basin, the watershed will be able to hold 10 acre-feet of storm water and reduce the flooding at Washington and Russell Streets by a foot.

Karen Foster, council member at-large, served on the West Washington Street Watershed Steering Committee this past year and has played an active role in advocating for the basin. She said she is excited the city is beginning to finalize plans and prepare for construction as she believes the basin will be an asset to the community.

“This is really going to be an enhancement, and it’s where our storm water funds are going to be used first,” Foster said.

Instead of having the flood area covered, which was also an option, the city council previously decided to design it to be a natural basin, complete with surrounding sidewalks and landscaping, said Foster.

The basin’s construction is the first phase of the city’s proposed drainage improvement plan.

“It’s a necessity,” Foster said. “And such a benefit for our city.”

Emma can be reached at [email protected].