Some exceptions make sense

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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It makes sense to prohibit rebuilding in the 100-year flood plain on land cleared by flood buyouts. But we also agree with the City of Cedar Rapids that, in some cases, flexibility also makes sense.

State officials administering tens of millions of dollars from the federal government for buyouts in Cedar Rapids say their rules bar redevelopment of those properties in the 100-year flood plain. But the city is now asking the state to make some exceptions to the no-build rule in three flooded neighborhoods primed for redevelopment: in New Bohemia, along Ellis Boulevard on the northwest side and on the west side of the river across from downtown.

For the most part, we oppose development in the 100-year flood plain. But in this case, the city is basically seeking to develop vacant lots between existing, and in some cases historic, buildings and businesses. Without a waiver, those neighborhoods will be dotted with large vacant lots that could impede development but do little to provide flood mitigation. It's tough to see how leaving those lots empty benefits anyone.

And, in the case of Ellis Boulevard and the so-called “West Village,” one reason those properties will remain in the 100-year flood plain is because the federal government concluded that the risk of future flood damage was too low to warrant recommending and funding a flood protection system. That cost-benefit calculation could change in the wake of west-side redevelopment efforts - unless, of course, they're hampered by another government entity insisting that the risk is too high to allow rebuilding. The contradictions are frustrating.

So we support the city's effort. But we also believe that anything built on those properties should be designed to withstand severe flooding. It would be a mistake to build without learning the hard lessons of 2008. And it's likely that no government recovery money will be available if these properties flood again.

It's possible to deter ill-advised flood plain development while also allowing limited building in special circumstances. We hope the city and state find a way to make that happen.

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