Fort Wayne, Ind. – Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry today announced that several homeowners in the Dalevue/Fernwood area have agreed to sell their properties to the City as a result of flooding challenges.
Following the most recent flooding in April, Mayor Henry walked the neighborhood and met with residents in the Dalevue/Fernwood area. At that time, he told them he would work on a buyout plan. The process has moved forward quickly, including additional meetings with residents, property appraisals, offers and purchase agreements.
The purchases were approved today by the Board of Public Works. The process will now move to City Council for approval.
The buyouts were voluntary. The homes will be demolished later this year and a larger capacity stormwater pipe will be put in place along with an earthen berm to protect the homes that will remain in the area. City Utilities will soon advertise for bids to construct the stormwater pipe and additional stormwater drains that will be completed by next spring. And, design work is moving forward on the earthen berm to protect the area up to the 100-year flood stage.
The Dalevue/Fernwood area has had frequent flooding when heavy rains occur and when the nearby Fairfield Ditch overflows, moves across a field and surrounds the homes.
“We’ve worked closely with the Army Corp of Engineers to come up with a solution to protect the area. As funding remains tight and there are needs across the country, we cannot wait on a federal solution. The residents have waited long enough. We’ll protect them with the buyouts and upcoming projects. This is an appropriate investment of local dollars to help our community,” said Mayor Henry.
The investment for the buyouts is $480,000.
In recent years, the City has moved forward with several projects to protect properties and help residents in areas of chronic flooding. Flood control improvement projects sometimes coupled with buyouts have occurred on Winchester Road, the Park/Thompson area, the Woodhurst neighborhood, the Junk Ditch area and Westbrook Drive. Next year, homes in the flood zone along Eastbrook Drive will be purchased as part of the State Boulevard project.