40 Homes in Buyout Area
Homeowners along the frequently flooded Junk Ditch, will soon be able to cut their losses and move on. After sustaining repeated damages during past flooding events, 40 houses along Junk Ditch will be purchased and demolished, and the area turned into greenspace.
“I know a number of homeowners along the Junk Ditch are thrilled with this tremendous news. It's been my goal as mayor to do everything possible to protect homes from flooding and I share their joy,” said Mayor Tom Henry.
Today, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security presented Fort Wayne with a ceremonial check for $1.5 million for flood mitigation along the Junk Ditch. The money represents the sum of two grants to purchase 40 homes in the area bordered by Taylor Street, Ardmore Avenue, Covington Road, and Freeman Street on the City's near southwest side.
The City worked closely with the Maumee River Basin Commission to submit the grant applications earlier this year. The dollar amount for this grant, $1.5 million, is the largest the City has ever received at one time.
"We are pleased with the work the City of Fort Wayne and the Maumee River Basin Commission has done... they are great partners to work with in mitigating for the homeowners of this area along the Junk Ditch. The City has worked diligently to move this process forward,” said Manuela Johnson, Director of the Mitigation Program for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
“The Maumee River Basin Commission is happy to be of assistance in working on this project with the City of Fort Wayne and promoting its commitment to flood mitigation efforts and reducing flood damages,” said Rod Renkenberger, Executive Director of the Maumee River Basin Commission.
The agreement is still being drafted, but it's expected that appraisals could begin by February with buyouts coming shortly thereafter.
The Junk Ditch is a tributary of the St. Marys. It often floods during heavy rains. An Army Corp of Engineers study determined permanent flood protection was not an option for this low lying area and the City has worked for years to find the funding to purchase homes. The City hopes to hear news on another grant application later this year which would cover 12 additional homes in the area.
Since the great flood of 1982 the City and the Maumee River Basin Commission has purchased more than 160 homes in flood prone areas.