The Monongahela River is sick and getting sicker. The Corps of Engineers has helped to develop treatment facilities for the toxic water. Their work has improved water quality and to new species have been found in the Pittsburgh District; an indication that the waters are capable of supporting increasingly diverse invertebrate populations. Continuing in this vein, this proposal for the site is two fold; improve the health of the site and improve the health of people. This facility would include a health club, commercial activities supporting healthy lifestyle habits, and research labs dedicated to monitoring the health of the Monongahela River and health club users. A wetlands system would be developed to serve as both a research tool to explore varying approaches towards cleaning the river using living machine techniques as well as being a tool for disposing of sewage waste produced on site. The facility is generously lifted off the ground to protect against potential flood damage and to comment on the polluted site below.
