Don Brauer has joined our volunteer team working on recovery planning. Here are some of his initial ideas:
a. This planning effort should result in a "Green" (Sustainable) Plan to demonstrate ideas and procedures for all development or redevelopment anywhere in the City from now on
B. The hydrology plan parameters must be maintained ... new developments should not encroach on the 100-year area at all, and in the 500-year area only for parking and recreation areas for short term ( 24 to 48 hours), and less than two foot depth.
C. Action Procedures - Determine the type of housing needed by interviewing the displaced people and conduct a general marketing survey of the entire market area.
D. Long-Term Possible Flood Management Alternatives to Study:
1. Study the addition of a Diversion Channel around the City
2. Examine High-Flow Channel Improvements (widening, pavements, and walls through downtown)... and Raising (or Replacement) of Bridges) and ....
3. Study removing City and County Buildings, Leaving a Low Flow Island.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
New Permanent Replacement Housing
The City of Cedar Rapids will need a number of new homes coming on line ASAP to provide housing for the people who lost their homes in the flood. The City will move aggressively to help provide temporary housing.
The City can also facilitate and accelerate the development and construction of new housing to replace the lost housing. The City could facilitate a meeting with developers and builders to discuss the following:
1. Determine the type, price, and location of new housing
2. Determine how fast the new housing can be brought on line
This Year ?
Next Year ?
3. Determine how many vacant lots are available now.
4. Determine possible assistance from the State, County, City, and Banks
5. Examine feasibility of moving homes from flood area to areas out of the flood zone
6. Discuss use of TIF & Tax Incentives to support quick housing development
7. Next steps ?
The City can also facilitate and accelerate the development and construction of new housing to replace the lost housing. The City could facilitate a meeting with developers and builders to discuss the following:
1. Determine the type, price, and location of new housing
2. Determine how fast the new housing can be brought on line
This Year ?
Next Year ?
3. Determine how many vacant lots are available now.
4. Determine possible assistance from the State, County, City, and Banks
5. Examine feasibility of moving homes from flood area to areas out of the flood zone
6. Discuss use of TIF & Tax Incentives to support quick housing development
7. Next steps ?
Use the page below to recon aerial photos:
Use the Cedar Rapids GIS for more detailed work:
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Long Term Possible Flood Control Alternatives
Cedar Rapids faces the challenge of detering future flooding while redeveloping portions of the City that were ravaged by the flood waters. As the city redevelops it will need to think of cost effective ways of diverting or storing water. These options will help to decrease flooding in the city, but nothing can be done to flood proof the city. This is neither financially possible nor feasible from an engineering perspective. It would require massive relocation of the downtown and all of the close in neighborhoods virtually destroying what is the heart of the City. However, there are cost effective measures that can reduce the impact of flooding and hopefully, minimize the occurance of floods.
Cedar Rapids developed at a narrow area on the river, making river crossings simple. But the narrows create a choke point which contributes to the flooding.
Here, the City has two options. The City could work with the State and County to impound or slow water above the City. The second option is to increase velocity downstream. Both these alternatives are possible, but would require detailed study, and could be very costly. These alternative should be examined in the light of what the City hopes to redevelop. Now, is the time for the City to see themselves in a different light and say what is it that we have wanted to be and if we are going to have to redevelop, how do we achieve this vision. Flood control becomes one element to examine in the full redevelopment picture.
If the City wanted to look at a recreation alternative as an outcome, then purchasing land above the City is an alternative. Here, a dam or impoundment could be developed upstream above the downtown area. The dam could be constructed to have almost no impact during normal flow periods, but be designed to impound water as flood levels increased. This option would require acquisition of property above the structure that would be impacted by the dam. Under normal circumstances, the City could use this land for recreational purposes. During floods it would hold water that would be slowly released back into the river.
If homes are removed from part of the flood plain, facilities could be developed on these areas for storage of water.
The large landfill just south of downtown also appears to slow water discharge from the central city. The landfill could be moved to increase the rate of discharge downstream from the city, although this would be very costly. This land could also be used for recreational purposes.
There are a number of old quarries which could be retrofitted to serve as storm water facilities. The quarries would be pumped to stay dry, with spillways installed to store water during the flood stage, to be pumped out after the flood.
New quarries designed to serve the same function may also be possible. There is likely stone or gravel in these areas along the river. As an economic development tool, the quarries may be self financing, selling the material, with the remaining quarry serving as flood storage.
The above are only a listing of alternatives. Each carries with them a cost and an impact. All of these would be evaluated fully before any conclusion about flood mitigation occurs.
Cedar Rapids developed at a narrow area on the river, making river crossings simple. But the narrows create a choke point which contributes to the flooding.
Here, the City has two options. The City could work with the State and County to impound or slow water above the City. The second option is to increase velocity downstream. Both these alternatives are possible, but would require detailed study, and could be very costly. These alternative should be examined in the light of what the City hopes to redevelop. Now, is the time for the City to see themselves in a different light and say what is it that we have wanted to be and if we are going to have to redevelop, how do we achieve this vision. Flood control becomes one element to examine in the full redevelopment picture.
If the City wanted to look at a recreation alternative as an outcome, then purchasing land above the City is an alternative. Here, a dam or impoundment could be developed upstream above the downtown area. The dam could be constructed to have almost no impact during normal flow periods, but be designed to impound water as flood levels increased. This option would require acquisition of property above the structure that would be impacted by the dam. Under normal circumstances, the City could use this land for recreational purposes. During floods it would hold water that would be slowly released back into the river.
If homes are removed from part of the flood plain, facilities could be developed on these areas for storage of water.
The large landfill just south of downtown also appears to slow water discharge from the central city. The landfill could be moved to increase the rate of discharge downstream from the city, although this would be very costly. This land could also be used for recreational purposes.
There are a number of old quarries which could be retrofitted to serve as storm water facilities. The quarries would be pumped to stay dry, with spillways installed to store water during the flood stage, to be pumped out after the flood.
New quarries designed to serve the same function may also be possible. There is likely stone or gravel in these areas along the river. As an economic development tool, the quarries may be self financing, selling the material, with the remaining quarry serving as flood storage.
The above are only a listing of alternatives. Each carries with them a cost and an impact. All of these would be evaluated fully before any conclusion about flood mitigation occurs.
1% Chance of Flooding each year (100 Year Flood Plain)
1% Chance of Flooding each year (100 Year Flood Plain)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100-year_flood
After the flood, the City of Cedar Rapids faces difficult decisions. Homes that suffered more than 50% damages should not be reoccupied without raising the home above the 1% annual chance of flooding. There are four possible alternatives:
1. If the home has less than 50% damage, it can be reoccupied.
2. Lift the 1st floor of the home above the 1% flood elevation.
3. Move the home to a higher location
4. Demolish the home
A central challenge for the city is when some homes on the block must be demolished, but others can be saved. The neighborhood suffers when it has numerous vacant lots.
TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF)
Many of the flood plain areas and nearby vacant higher ground could be placed in a TIF. The major challenge will be to increase the increment to a level that provides for the needed infrastructure for the new locaiton and being able to prepare the old locaiton for its role in flood control.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100-year_flood
After the flood, the City of Cedar Rapids faces difficult decisions. Homes that suffered more than 50% damages should not be reoccupied without raising the home above the 1% annual chance of flooding. There are four possible alternatives:
1. If the home has less than 50% damage, it can be reoccupied.
2. Lift the 1st floor of the home above the 1% flood elevation.
3. Move the home to a higher location
4. Demolish the home
A central challenge for the city is when some homes on the block must be demolished, but others can be saved. The neighborhood suffers when it has numerous vacant lots.
TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF)
Many of the flood plain areas and nearby vacant higher ground could be placed in a TIF. The major challenge will be to increase the increment to a level that provides for the needed infrastructure for the new locaiton and being able to prepare the old locaiton for its role in flood control.
Tax increment financing uses the difference in taxes before development and after development to pay for infrastructrue and developer incentives to make the project financially feasible.
Some Web pages with good information about Recovery Planning in Cedar Rapids
http://www.corridorrecovery.org/home.asp
http://www.corridorrecovery.org/home.asp
http://www.fema.gov/rt/
http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=2151
http://www.grandforksgov.com/Flood/Lesson_Learned.pdf
http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/index.shtm
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=44341
http://www.cedar-rapids.org/
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-cedar-rapids-iowa-evacuation-flood-080612-ht,0,4587441.story
SBA Opens Business Recovery Center in Cedar Rapids
Release Date: June 23, 2008Release Number: 1763-039
» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
DES MOINES, Iowa -- The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today announced the opening of a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Cedar Rapids. The center is specifically designed to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by the flooding.
Due to the severe property damage and economic loss these floods inflicted on businesses in Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet, said Steven Smith, Chief of the Executive Office of Disaster Strategic Planning and Operations. This center will provide a single one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help, he added.
The SBA Business Recovery Center will open Tuesday, June 24 at 9 am in the Westdale Mall on the lower level across from Bath and Body Works, 2600 Edgewood Road SW, Cedar Rapids. The BRC will operate Mondays through Saturdays from 9 am to 6 pm, until further notice. Specialists from the following organizations will be available to meet individually with each business owner:
U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster LoansU. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Government Contracting Iowa Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE)Womens Business CenterCity of Cedar Rapids
According to Joseph Folsom, SBA s Iowa District Director, SBA customer service representatives will meet individually with business owners to explain how an SBA disaster loan can help finance their recovery. They will provide program information, answer questions and help businesses apply for this much needed financial help. SBA will also have a specialist to assist small businesses in accessing government contacting opportunities. We are anxious to provide all necessary assistance and answer their questions. All they need to do is come in, he said.
SBDC, SCORE and WBC counselors will offer counseling on a wide variety of matters designed to help these owners re-establish their operations and plan for their future.
They will also offer help in reconstructing lost business records,” he continued. These counselors will also offer assistance on updating or rewriting business plans. City officials will provide information on coordinating benefits and a variety of other city services from the new Business Recovery Center. The city’s Planning and Development department is also located in Westdale Mall for information about obtaining building permits and debris removal.
Businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations may apply to SBA for low-interest disaster loans of up to $1.5 million to repair or replace damage to real estate, leasehold improvements, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. These loans cover uninsured losses or situations where the insurance coverage falls short of the repair or replacement costs.
For small businesses only, SBA also offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs created by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered property damage.
Business owners may also get help from SBA representatives at any Disaster Recovery Center in Iowa. They may also contact SBAs Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit SBAs website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance Hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877-8339.
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, disaster victims should first call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at (800) 621-3362.
FEMA coordinates the federal governments role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
SBA is the federal governments primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, nationality, age, disability, English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you or someone you known has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY Call 800-462-7585.
Release Date: June 23, 2008Release Number: 1763-039
» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
DES MOINES, Iowa -- The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today announced the opening of a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Cedar Rapids. The center is specifically designed to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by the flooding.
Due to the severe property damage and economic loss these floods inflicted on businesses in Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet, said Steven Smith, Chief of the Executive Office of Disaster Strategic Planning and Operations. This center will provide a single one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help, he added.
The SBA Business Recovery Center will open Tuesday, June 24 at 9 am in the Westdale Mall on the lower level across from Bath and Body Works, 2600 Edgewood Road SW, Cedar Rapids. The BRC will operate Mondays through Saturdays from 9 am to 6 pm, until further notice. Specialists from the following organizations will be available to meet individually with each business owner:
U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster LoansU. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Government Contracting Iowa Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE)Womens Business CenterCity of Cedar Rapids
According to Joseph Folsom, SBA s Iowa District Director, SBA customer service representatives will meet individually with business owners to explain how an SBA disaster loan can help finance their recovery. They will provide program information, answer questions and help businesses apply for this much needed financial help. SBA will also have a specialist to assist small businesses in accessing government contacting opportunities. We are anxious to provide all necessary assistance and answer their questions. All they need to do is come in, he said.
SBDC, SCORE and WBC counselors will offer counseling on a wide variety of matters designed to help these owners re-establish their operations and plan for their future.
They will also offer help in reconstructing lost business records,” he continued. These counselors will also offer assistance on updating or rewriting business plans. City officials will provide information on coordinating benefits and a variety of other city services from the new Business Recovery Center. The city’s Planning and Development department is also located in Westdale Mall for information about obtaining building permits and debris removal.
Businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations may apply to SBA for low-interest disaster loans of up to $1.5 million to repair or replace damage to real estate, leasehold improvements, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. These loans cover uninsured losses or situations where the insurance coverage falls short of the repair or replacement costs.
For small businesses only, SBA also offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs created by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered property damage.
Business owners may also get help from SBA representatives at any Disaster Recovery Center in Iowa. They may also contact SBAs Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit SBAs website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance Hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877-8339.
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, disaster victims should first call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at (800) 621-3362.
FEMA coordinates the federal governments role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
SBA is the federal governments primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, nationality, age, disability, English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you or someone you known has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY Call 800-462-7585.
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