WORK TO OCCUR IN THE JUNK DITCH AREA – Message From The Mayor

The City of Fort Wayne has received a federal award of $862,946 to purchase and demolish 18 flood-prone structures.

The grant came from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and was announced through the FEMA Region V Office in Chicago.

This is positive news for residents in the City of Fort Wayne as we continue our efforts with state and federal partners to protect our communities. In the last 10 years, we’ve moved forward with many proactive flood control improvement projects throughout Fort Wayne. These projects have included storm pipes, earthen berms, flood walls, the creation of more green space to handle flood water and the purchase of more than 100 homes that were prone to flooding. Our investments are making a meaningful difference to assist residents and enhance the quality of life for neighborhoods.

The general areas of work will occur in the Junk Ditch area – Elyetta/Catalpa/Middle/Taylor and the area of Broad Ripple and Prairie Grove. We’ve been in contact with homeowners and will continue that dialogue. We’re encouraged that we’ve received positive responses. Next steps will be appraisals, price negotiations, reaching agreements on purchase prices and then demolition.

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Following demolition, the properties will be maintained as permanent open spaces in the community. The grant is part of Pre-Disaster Mitigation, which provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security administers the grant from FEMA to the City of Fort Wayne. The total eligible cost of the project is $1,150,595. FEMA will pay 75 percent, which is the $862,946. The City of Fort Wayne and the Maumee River Basin Commission will contribute 25 percent of the remaining funds, or $287,649.