Mayor Greg Goodnight said the city has submitted a corrective action plan and is very optimistic were going to reach a resolution to all of this. We looked at it, and we think theres a gray area, Goodnight said. The document itself talks about recreational use, it talks about to mitigate flooding. When we are done with this project, it will actually have more capacity to absorb flooding than was previously there. We think its a win for the community. Records show FEMA and IDHS are particularly concerned about eight parcels of land. Some of the parcels being used for the baseball stadium are not being maintained according to the grant and applicable federal regulations, the IDHS letter said. The construction activity includes paved sidewalks, dugouts, a concourse, and the use of fill soil, but the open space requirements generally prohibit improvements such as walled buildings, paved roads and parking, and the use of off-site fill. Construction began over the summer on the stadium, which will have about 2,300 seats and 1,500 spots for lawn seating. An amateur team featuring top collegiate prospects has been lined up to use the stadium. FEMA issued a statement saying its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provided funding for purposes including the acquisition and demolition of flood-prone homes along Wildcat Creek to reduce the risk of flooding. These acquisitions were funded with an agreement that the community preserve the property as open space going forward. The open space requirement of the grant program — as defined by federal regulations — benefits the community by permanently removing the structures from the floodplain and greatly reducing the financial impact on individuals and the community when future flooding occurs in this area, FEMA said.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 15:53:37 +0000
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