St. Augustine Retention Basin Walls Complement Historic Surroundings

Project Name: Historic Downtown Parking Facility Retention Basins Location: St. Augustine, Florida

THE CHALLENGE

Water retention and detention basins are typically positioned well away from the focal point of properties. They serve a necessary purpose but rarely add anything more than utility to a project. The St. Augustine retention basins were constructed to collect and slowly release rain runoff, guarding against localized flooding and erosion while supporting adjacent infrastructure like walking paths and streets. But where do project owners turn when basins can’t be hidden or minimized?

THE SOLUTION

Redi-Rock retaining wall blocks are precast modular blocks (PMB) that weigh 1,300 – 2,400 lb (589 – 1088 kg) each. Engineers and developers use the blocks’ mass and their patented knob and groove interlocking technology to construct durable retaining walls and marine structures like detention and retention basins. Community officials selected Redi-Rock retaining wall systems for two retention basins in a high-visibility St. Augustine location.

THE PROJECT

The retention basins border St. Augustine’s 1200-car Historic Downtown Parking Facility, only 1,000 ft (304 m) from the Castillo de San Marcos. Completed in 1695 by the Spanish, the Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. Designated a National Monument in 1924, it welcomes more than 840,000 visitors annually.

Finding a solution that performs well in water, is strong enough to support live loads, and installs simply inside limited project footprints isn’t easy. Fortunately, Redi-Rock checks all the important boxes. Truemont Materials crafts Redi-Rock with durable wet-cast, air-entrained concrete in strict factory-controlled conditions. Compared to dry cast, wet cast concrete features less porosity, allowing it to perform better even in completely submerged conditions like detention and retention basins. Redi-Rock blocks are big, but even small, less experienced crews can install them efficiently with the right equipment.

image of retention basin using redi-rock blocks surrounded by plants

THE OUTCOME

Durability and installation simplicity aren’t the only considerations when installing detention and retention ponds. A solution that fits an area's character is a top priority when building adjacent to notable existing structures like national monuments. Redi-Rock’s textures – which vary by manufacturer – allow project owners to delight in the look of their retaining wall as much as the job it does for them. In the case of the Historic Downtown Parking Facility’s retention basin walls, a Limestone texture was selected for its weathered appearance and larger scale format.

image of large building and walkway with retention basin of redi-rock blocks

Gravity Retaining Wall Blocks - Massive, one-ton Redi-Rock gravity blocks rely on the sheer mass of each block to hold back the earth.

Reinforced Retaining Wall Blocks - Build MSE retaining walls with the revolutionary Redi-Rock Positive Connection (PC) blocks.