The Council to vote for Sales of Earth for Improvements of Floods in Riverside – Sioux City Journal

The owners of the 1627 River Drive and the 1635 Riverside Drive have agreed to sell their properties to the city so that it can expand the left bank of the Big Sioux River to the north, reducing the risk of future flood in the neighborhood.

The project requires the purchase of three homes along the River Drive, the relocation of homeowners, the demolition of homes and the construction of a new Levee.

In November, the Green Council made an application for the program to improve internal security and management of emergency situations in Iowa for $ 865,000 to finance the project grants for the project.

The project costs are estimated at $ 935,000 for the acquisition of real estate (100% city price), $ 530,000 for design services (50% city price) and $ 1,200,000 construction costs (50% city price).

According to city documents, Jean Johnson, the owner of the 1627 River Drive, has signed a $ 150,000 sales offer as a simple compensation with the city. Johnson has found a replacement home. Other random expenses, such as relocation costs and close costs, will be paid upon closure, which is on January 31.

Kalin Copper, who owns the 1635 River Drive, has also signed to sell her property to the city for $ 141,000. The title’s work is underway and the closure is expected on January 31st.

“D -Ja Kramper releases 1635 River Drive during closure but has not yet found a replacement home. D -kramper has the right to replace home benefits for one year after the completion of River Drive 1635. These costs will be returned The advice on a later date, “the documents are indicated.

According to city budget documents, $ 40,000 was approved in 2025 for a rapidly unfolding flood wall. As Levee is built, the flooded wall will be used when the river reaches a level of operation that will require deployment.

“It’s generally like a plastic wire box around it. You open them and then fill them with sand. They are blocked,” city engineer Gordon Farer told The Journal.

Phair said it usually takes a few hours to adjust the flooded wall as you need workers, sand and equipment to throw the sand in place.

“If that’s all there, it can take minutes, depending on how much you do,” he said. “We put 1000 feet with this last flood.”

For 2026, $ 550,000 is required to design and allow Levee improvements. Other budget requests include $ 930,000 to acquire real estate for 2027 and $ 1,200,000 for construction for 2028.

Strong rainfall through Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota filled the Big Ciou River and its tributaries, causing a record flood in June. More than 100 homes were damaged in Riverside on June 23-24, and the train bridge over the Great River Siou collapsed.