Cedar Rapids Property Acquisition Strategy

The city of Cedar Rapids has released the list of the 746 flood-damaged properties it wants to acquire, though it lacks the money - at this point - to acquire the vast majority.

The buyout list - called the "Preferred Voluntary Acquisition Strategy" - will be considered by the City Council at its Wednesday Dec. 10 meeting.

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The Preferred Property Acquisition Strategy divides the flood-damaged properties into three specific areas, based on location, land purpose and availability of funding. The areas are:

1. Greenway Acquisition Area - This is the unprotected area between the Cedar River and the levee. The 192 properties in this area are eligible for voluntary property acquisition through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The city will be consulting with each property owner in this area about program options.

2. Construction Area - This area is identified for the potential construction of flood management measures such as flood walls and levees, a safety zone and potential utilities. There are 554 properties in this area and buyouts could occur here in the future, but the city can't use FEMA's Hazard Mitigation funds. Plans for this area will not be finalized until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes its feasibility study in 12 to 24 months and construction begins in five to 15 years. There is no funding available to acquire these properties at this time.

3. Neighborhood Revitalization Area - All residents of the flood-damaged neighborhoods will be invited to participate in Phase 2 of the River Corridor Redevelopment Plan beginning Jan. 10. Scattered properties in this area have been determined to be beyond reasonable repair. There is also no funding available to acquire these properties at this time.

The City Council will consider adoption of the Preferred Voluntary Acquisition Strategy during its December 10, 2008 meeting. This will include discussion about the use of Jumpstart funds for properties in the construction area. For more information about this strategy, contact the City's Community Development department at (319) 286-5041.

City staff worked with staffers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, State Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the River Corridor Redevelopment Plan consultant group in developing this strategy.

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