Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Development Projects
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi is a federally recognized Tribal Nation with over 6,000 acres of land. The Band’s Mission is to promote the culture and health of its citizens while preserving Mother Earth. Wightman has a long relationship with the Band, assisting them with developing and preserving their assets for over 15 years, including the planning and implementation of seven phases at Pokagonek Edawat, a 350-acre clustered residential community that is recognized nationally for the low impact and use of native plants, bioswales, rain gardens, porous pavement, and infiltration basins for stormwater management.
Wightman also planned and designed numerous phases of the Four Winds Casino Resorts in New Buffalo, Hartford, Dowagiac, and South Bend.
The Band has also engaged Wightman to plan and design numerous stormwater, water, and wastewater treatment facilities. One significant site is their Rodgers Lake Tribal Headquarters property. Wightman evaluated options to expand and upgrade the stormwater management develop centralized wastewater and water treatment systems for the campus. The stormwater system was modified and expanded to maximize infiltration and minimize surface runoff to the Dowagiac River. The wastewater improvements modified the existing lagoons to expand capacity and improve treatment. The centralized water system provided iron removal.