Council approves grant application for Riverside levee improvements – Sioux City Journal

The funding, if awarded, would cover half of the expected design and construction costs for the Big Sioux River levee expansion project.

“There are a number of items that can’t be included in the grant — property acquisition, relocation, demolition, our engineering staff time are not included here,” said Brittany Anderson, the city’s senior civil engineer. “These additional funds are accounted for in the (Capital Improvements Program).”

City documents state the project will extend the levee system on the left bank of the Big Sioux River north along River Drive, replacing an area identified as a temporary sandbag levee during high water to reduce the risk of flooding in the Riverside area.

The project would require buying three houses on River Drive, relocating the owners, demolishing the homes and building a new levee.

Project costs are estimated at $935,000 for property acquisition (100% city cost), $530,000 for design services (50% city cost) and $1,200,000 in construction costs (50% city cost), according to the documents.

“But sometimes, in the past, at least on Perry Creek, FEMA would come in and help with property acquisition, I think. Is it not possible?” Mayor Bob Scott asked.

Anderson told Scott that one FEMA grant she knows of covers the acquisition of properties, but does not allow for improvements made to those properties.

“And they’re considering building a levee on top of those improvements on the property,” she said.

“This project would modify a federally authorized construction project by the US Army Corps of Engineers (i.e., the levee system), so an additional permit, including a Section 408 request, would be required,” the documents state. “An environmental assessment for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act will need to be completed in addition to geotechnical analysis, hydraulic analysis, topographic survey and levee engineering. Upon completion of the project and post-construction survey, a FEMA final Map Revision Letter will need to be submitted.”

The review period for grant applications is expected to take six months. If funding is granted, city staff would begin the design and permitting process in May 2025. Construction would begin in the spring of 2027.

Heavy rainfall in Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota filled the Big Sioux River and its tributaries, causing record flooding in June. More than 100 homes were damaged in Riverside on June 23-24, and a railroad bridge over the Big Sioux River collapsed.

The council also sealed another grant application — this one to the Environmental Protection Agency — for $19,682,649 to address climate and pollution reduction strategies, improve stormwater management and improve indoor air quality.

The city can apply for funding from the EPA’s Environmental and Climate Change Grant Program, which funds community-driven projects that address environmental and climate challenges. Prizes are $10-20 million.

If the grant is awarded, the funds will be used for the reconstruction of the former hospital “St. Joseph” and Home for Boys and Girls at 2101 Court Street. Funding will support remediation of asbestos and contaminated materials, implementation of green building practices and energy-efficient technologies, such as a new energy-efficient HVAC system, windows and appliances, installation of a cool roof, and site retention using green infrastructure.

“We have a plan that turns the property into affordable housing. It’s redeveloping the newest portion of St. Joe’s Hospital into about 119 affordable housing units and then adding some row houses and townhomes to the rest of the property, along with plenty of green space and trails for the area,” said Renee Billings. , the city’s economic development manager.

In 2021, the city received $300,000 from the EPA’s Communitywide Brownfields Assessment Grant Program to complete site environmental assessments on multiple properties. A portion of the funding was used to develop a site reuse assessment and site reuse vision plan for the former Boys and Girls Home.

“It’s going to be a long time, but it’s a great step in the right direction.” I’m so glad we’re moving forward,” said Council Member Julie Schoenherr. “I don’t think anyone thought we would be able to find any significant grant.”