News » Local » City Application for Flood Buyouts Approved

In January the City submitted an application to the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management and to FEMA for $1,165,326.00 for the buyout of 13 properties in different areas across La Porte City that were Substantially Damaged during last years flood.  This application has been approved and the City will begin the process of purchasing these properties from residents who have voluntarily expressed interest in being bought out.

 Each owner will individually go through an agreement process with the City in which title to these properties will be deeded to the City.  Each owner will be compensated pre-flood Fair Market Value for their property.  Once the properties are bought out and deeds are transferred, the City will begin demolition and clearing of these properties.  As a federal requirement, once cleared, these properties will remain green space indefinitely with the goal of eliminating any future structural mitigation for these areas that have been repetitively damaged by flood waters.

The City has given thought to viable plans for these cleared properties.  Discussions have been held with Black Hawk County Conservation for possible recreational areas along Wolf Creek that would connect Main Street with paths to the Cedar Valley Bike Trail and possibly a canoe and kayak access.  Another  idea is the possibility of community garden plots.  Enclosed buildings would not be allowed to be constructed on these green space areas.  A time line for these projects has not been established.