In Wake of Hurricane Irene & Tropical Storm Lee, Several Buildings Were Severely Damaged and Still Remain in a Flood Hazard Zone
Senators Announce FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Will Fund Acquisition and Demolition of Flood-Damaged Properties and Turn them into Green Space
WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 9, 2014 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1.7 million in federal funds to acquire and demolish flood-damaged structures in the Village of Sidney in Delaware County, and turn them into green space. The federal funds cover 75% of Delaware County’s project to buyout and tear down the properties in this flood-prone location. Because the damaged buildings were located in a flood hazard zone, where there was persistent and severe flooding, demolishing the structures was Delaware County’s preferred plan.
“The double whammy of Irene and Lee damaged a lot of properties – and sometimes tearing down these blighted properties and opening up space is the best path forward for the community, especially when those properties are in a high flood-risk area. I’m glad we could get federal funds behind Delaware County’s plan to take down these flood-prone structures, remove the black mark they put on the neighborhood, and open up green space in their stead,” said Senator Schumer.
“Delaware County endured some of the very worst of back-to-back extreme weather – costing us farmland and crops, destroying homes, businesses, roads and bridges,” Senator Gillibrand said. “This is an important investment that can go a long way in strengthening the resiliency of our communities, and preventing big costs down the road. In the place of flooded buildings, we will gain new green space in our community.”
This grant will fund the acquisition and demolition of flood-prone properties in the Village of Sidney, Delaware County. Those properties will become open space. All of the structures were substantially damaged in Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, and are located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, which repeatedly experiences significant flooding. This award is pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Section 404, and 44. Funds have been previously awarded for this project on March 26, 2013, in the amount of $3,154,612 and September 24, 2013, in the amount of $265,661.
Delaware County will acquire the properties and demolish all structures, fill any basements, place topsoil over the sites, grade and seed. After demolition and site reclamation, the properties will be turned over to the municipality to maintain as open space.
