From the Iowa City Press Citizen
The Iowa City Council unanimously approved an agreement at its Tuesday night meeting to buy 19.5 acres of vacant land south of Taft Speedway.
The parcel is owned by Parkview Evangelical Free Church and is in the 100-year floodplain.
The city is seeking to purchase vacant land in the 100-year floodplain to prevent future development in those areas.
According to an agreement, the city will pay $650,000 for the land. The price is what the church paid for the land in 2004, according to city documents.
The purchase will be funded by the state Community Disaster Grant program.
At a Monday night work session, the council discussed the potential purchase of other vacant land in the 100-year floodplain, including parcels owned by the Elks Club near the Idyllwild subdivision.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Out of the Blue - More Buyouts
Iowa City seeks more buyout funds
By Gregg Hennigan
The Gazettegregg.hennigan@gazettecommunications.com
IOWA CITY — The City Council agreed last night to go after money that would allow the city to purchase flood-damaged homes that were ineligible for the federal buyout program. The money would come from a new state-administered program that has $10 million in federal funds. More money may go into the program in the future, officials said.
The city will submit more than 80 homes in the Parkview Terrace neighborhood for consideration. Those homes are in the 500-year flood plain but not the 100-year boundary and therefore weren't eligible for the federal buyout program that is beginning in Iowa City this week.Officials admit that, given the magnitude of damage elsewhere in the state, it's unlikely they'll get nearly enough money for everyone who wants it. Jeff Davidson, the city's director of planning and community development, estimated the city would be able to buy several homes, with priority likely given to those nearest the 100-year flood plain."We're trying to be realistic about this, but we also want to keep our options open," he said.
Council members said they were committed to pursuing all opportunities to help flood victims. "I'm all for opening it up," council member Mike Wright said. The program is voluntary, so no one would be required to sell their home.
It's unclear how many of the Parkview Terrace homeowners would be interested in the new buyout funds, but the city had to submit a list this week and included them all to be safe. The city also will submit three vacant properties for the program, with the goal of preventing them from being developed in the future. Two are in the Peninsula neighborhood and another is off South Gilbert Street.
By Gregg Hennigan
The Gazettegregg.hennigan@gazettecommunications.com
IOWA CITY — The City Council agreed last night to go after money that would allow the city to purchase flood-damaged homes that were ineligible for the federal buyout program. The money would come from a new state-administered program that has $10 million in federal funds. More money may go into the program in the future, officials said.
The city will submit more than 80 homes in the Parkview Terrace neighborhood for consideration. Those homes are in the 500-year flood plain but not the 100-year boundary and therefore weren't eligible for the federal buyout program that is beginning in Iowa City this week.Officials admit that, given the magnitude of damage elsewhere in the state, it's unlikely they'll get nearly enough money for everyone who wants it. Jeff Davidson, the city's director of planning and community development, estimated the city would be able to buy several homes, with priority likely given to those nearest the 100-year flood plain."We're trying to be realistic about this, but we also want to keep our options open," he said.
Council members said they were committed to pursuing all opportunities to help flood victims. "I'm all for opening it up," council member Mike Wright said. The program is voluntary, so no one would be required to sell their home.
It's unclear how many of the Parkview Terrace homeowners would be interested in the new buyout funds, but the city had to submit a list this week and included them all to be safe. The city also will submit three vacant properties for the program, with the goal of preventing them from being developed in the future. Two are in the Peninsula neighborhood and another is off South Gilbert Street.
Friday, May 15, 2009
More Buyouts in PVT may be possible soon
New News from the City - More houses may be eligible for buyouts.
City Council will be meeting Monday night to discuss this and City Staff should know more on Tuesday.
5/14/09: Staff Memo-Prop. Acquisition
For those not in the original buyout - You are urged to contact City Council if you have an opinion on your house - Buyout or Non-Buyout.
City Council will be meeting Monday night to discuss this and City Staff should know more on Tuesday.
5/14/09: Staff Memo-Prop. Acquisition
For those not in the original buyout - You are urged to contact City Council if you have an opinion on your house - Buyout or Non-Buyout.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Update from the Crisis Center on Unmet Needs Grants
Myia, one of our flood case advocates checked with the state to clarify income verification for the Iowa Unmet Needs Grant. This is what she wrote to me:
"In regards to the two clients we saw today whose adjusted gross income exceeds the income guidelines of IUNDGP but who have casualty/loss that exceeds their adjusted gross income:
Marvin at DHS says that all he needs to see is what they’ve “self-declared” their income to be. Document income by obtaining copies of their complete 2008 federal tax return that details both their adjusted gross income AND the value of their casualty/loss in order to justify their self-declared income. With that said, many more of our Idyllwild/Parkview Terrace friends will be able to qualify for the program. Myia"
I am sure it has been a long and difficult year for you all and I know you are greatful for any small bit of help that you receive. The Crisis Center wants to help as much as we are able...
I want to offer this opportunity to those of you in Idyllwild and Park View Terrace to call the Crisis Center and speak with one of the flood case advocates about qualifying for the IA Unmet Needs Grant once your loss is figured into the equation. I know that you all have experienced great loss, not only financially, but emotionally, and physically with the loss of much of your personal belongings. Hopefully we can help!
Once the casuality/loss is deducted from the adjusted gross income, there is a very good chance that you will qualify for the grant which is a maximum of $2,500.00. We would love to be able to help anyone of you in this small way.
Call 351-0140 and ask to speak to Myia, Fernando, or Diane.
Thanks to all of you for your example of strength and resilience.
Diane, Myia, and Fernando, flood case advocates
Diane
Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing frighten you.
All things pass.
God does not change.
Patience achieves everything.
Whoever has God lacks nothing.
God alone suffices.
St. Teresa of Avila
"In regards to the two clients we saw today whose adjusted gross income exceeds the income guidelines of IUNDGP but who have casualty/loss that exceeds their adjusted gross income:
Marvin at DHS says that all he needs to see is what they’ve “self-declared” their income to be. Document income by obtaining copies of their complete 2008 federal tax return that details both their adjusted gross income AND the value of their casualty/loss in order to justify their self-declared income. With that said, many more of our Idyllwild/Parkview Terrace friends will be able to qualify for the program. Myia"
I am sure it has been a long and difficult year for you all and I know you are greatful for any small bit of help that you receive. The Crisis Center wants to help as much as we are able...
I want to offer this opportunity to those of you in Idyllwild and Park View Terrace to call the Crisis Center and speak with one of the flood case advocates about qualifying for the IA Unmet Needs Grant once your loss is figured into the equation. I know that you all have experienced great loss, not only financially, but emotionally, and physically with the loss of much of your personal belongings. Hopefully we can help!
Once the casuality/loss is deducted from the adjusted gross income, there is a very good chance that you will qualify for the grant which is a maximum of $2,500.00. We would love to be able to help anyone of you in this small way.
Call 351-0140 and ask to speak to Myia, Fernando, or Diane.
Thanks to all of you for your example of strength and resilience.
Diane, Myia, and Fernando, flood case advocates
Diane
Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing frighten you.
All things pass.
God does not change.
Patience achieves everything.
Whoever has God lacks nothing.
God alone suffices.
St. Teresa of Avila
Friday, May 8, 2009
One Year Survivors Party
One Year Survivors Party
We are organizing a One Year Survivors Park View Terrace Picnic for Saturday, June 13 starting at 4:00-8:00 with a raindate of Sunday, June 14. We plan to be meet on Eastmoor Dr. in front of Stroms. Everyone is invited: survivors, buy outers, volunteers and new neighbors. Please bring a dish to share, something to grill and drinks. Could you put this out on the website? Mary, Lynn, Laura and I will put flyers in all PVT doors next Saturday.
Thanks so much,
Becky Hall
We are organizing a One Year Survivors Park View Terrace Picnic for Saturday, June 13 starting at 4:00-8:00 with a raindate of Sunday, June 14. We plan to be meet on Eastmoor Dr. in front of Stroms. Everyone is invited: survivors, buy outers, volunteers and new neighbors. Please bring a dish to share, something to grill and drinks. Could you put this out on the website? Mary, Lynn, Laura and I will put flyers in all PVT doors next Saturday.
Thanks so much,
Becky Hall
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