Waiting for the rain: Green-topped bus stop a first in Philly

The Philadelphia Water Department, Mayor Michael Nutter and the rest of his Green Works Philadelphia team unveiled the city’s newest sustainability initiative Wednesday.

The green roof bus stop project at the northwest corner of 15th and Market streets is designed to catch rainwater in order to reduce the amount of stormwater flowing into the sewer system.

Roofmeadow Inc., a Philadelphia company, designed, constructed and will maintain the garden free of charge. Charlie Miller, the company’s president, told the crowd at the unveilign that he is “excited about the possibility of replicating this type of garden throughout the city of Philadelphia.”

Rina Cutler, deputy mayor for transportation and utilities, said the garden cost about $10,000 to build. City officials hope to add more gardens to bus stop roofs in the future.