Redi-Rock Gravity Walls Solve Stormwater Challenge in Knoxville, TN
Project Details
Project Name: West Franklin Retail Development Manufacturer: Bell Industries Contractor: Hurst Excavating Location: West Franklin, TN Wall Type: Gravity Texture: Ledgestone Year Built: 2018-19 Wall Area: 7000 sq ft (650 sq m)
The Challenge: A Parking Lot Turned Flood Zone
When underground infrastructure failed, a parking lot in West Franklin, Tennessee, transformed into a recurring flood zone—putting nearby businesses, public safety, and long-term property value at risk.
Two 60-inch corrugated steel storm pipes, previously buried beneath the site’s parking lot, had deteriorated to the point of failure, leaving the site vulnerable to repeated water damage. With compromised stormwater capacity and frequent flooding affecting the development and its infrastructure, the property owner and the City of Knoxville teamed up to install a durable, long-term solution. But this wasn’t just a drainage issue—it was also a matter of public safety, aesthetic appeal, and shared responsibility between private and municipal stakeholders.
Why Redi-Rock? A Smarter Stormwater Retaining Wall System
Redi-Rock stepped in with a reliable fix: a gravity retaining wall system. This solution is a proven, low-maintenance choice for managing stormwater in high-risk areas.
Built with wet cast concrete blocks specifically designed to withstand intense water exposure, the completed 15-ft (4.6 m) tall geogrid-free retaining wall was engineered for strength, reducing excavation and material costs while simplifying installation.
A few buried courses on each side of the channel create structural stability, while fencing adds an extra layer of safety for pedestrians. Designed for both performance and appearance, the completed wall delivers long-term stability, safety, and visual appeal.
Key elements that made this project successful include:
- Geogrid-Free Retaining Wall Design: Redi-Rock’s massive block size and gravity wall capabilities eliminated the need for extensive excavation or geogrid reinforcement, making it an ideal solution for stormwater applications.
- Wet Cast Durability: Engineered to perform in constant water exposure, Redi-Rock’s wet cast concrete blocks provide lasting strength in stormwater environments and under heavy hydraulic loads.
- Shared Investment, Shared Success: With costs split between the property owner and the City of Knoxville, the solution benefited public and private interests.
- Aesthetic Integration: The project used Redi-Rock’s Ledgestone texture with a custom tan color to complement the surrounding architecture and the city’s earthy visual standards.
- Added Safety Features: Buried block courses on either side of the channel improved structural integrity, while fencing along the top of the wall enhanced pedestrian safety.
“We were able to use the gravity wall just to minimize the amount of backfill stone needed here. The wet cast concrete played a big part in it, given that this is a water application and, when [the project owners and City of Knoxville] weighed the options, they decided to use Redi-Rock.”
Franklin Kotsianas, Vice President, Bell Concrete Industries
Wondering if Redi-Rock is a good fit for your stormwater or flood channel project? Our team put together a helpful guide—Wall-Wise: Will Redi-Rock Work for Storm and Flood Channel Projects?—to walk you through key considerations, real-world examples, and how Redi-Rock’s wall systems can help meet hydraulic and structural demands in these challenging environments.
