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Broad Ripple Random Ripplings
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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v03n25)
Residents and officials speak out about levee - part 3 of 3 - By Ashley Plummer
posted: Dec. 15, 2006
Over ten years of planning and public meetings have been put into the building of the Indianapolis North Flood Damage Reduction project. Despite minor complications, Assistant Administrator of the Engineering Division of the Indianapolis Department of Public Works John Oakley said, "We are not moving the wall, and yes it is going to be built."
Oakley highlighted that one of the obvious reasons for building the wall is flood reduction insurance, but added that the city has much more invested in building the new levee.
"A lot of people think it is just flood protection for a lot of businesses and residents in the area," he said. "We look at it, from the city's perspective, that we have a substantial investment in the roads and public infrastructure, such as sewers, gas lines. In the event of a major flood, all those entities are affected."
The most affected residential areas, which include the houses and condos along 67th Street, are largely in favor of the wall being built based on the promise of lower flood insurance premiums.
David Leazenby, who lives in Monon Row Condominiums, said that he thinks it will be good to have better flood control in the neighborhood. "It will be a great opportunity for creative and economic development in the area," he said.
He added that while those who actually live on 67th Street may have a different outlook, he thinks the opportunities created by the wall, as well as the reduction of flood insurance rates will have a positive impact on the area.
Other area residents, including Sue Haadsma-Svensson, Monon Row Homeowner Association President, said that although she received complaints about the wall being built initially, she has not had any recently.
"The city has been excellent in communicating with us," she said. "They sent out notifications to residents, and held public information meetings."
Haadsma-Svensson said the main voices of concern came from those who lived on 67th Street, and their principle questions focused around how they would get to their condos and where they would park.
After hearing these worries from residents, the city complied to put gates in the flood wall to make it easier for people to enter their property.
However, according to Oakley, parking still remains an unresolved issue that cannot be figured out until the wall is constructed.
"We will have to do a site-study on the area," he said and added that parking restrictions along the south side of 67th Street will not be determined until a traffic study is done.
Oakley did say that any damage done to the road as a result of construction will be restored by the city when the project is finished.
Residents in other areas of Broad Ripple have not been entirely quiet about the fact that the flood wall will not help their flood insurance expenses. Melody Melick, who lives on the 1800 block of E. 66th Street was disappointed when she found out the construction of the levee would not reduce her flood insurance premium.
"I live on part of the 100 year flood plane," she said. It has never flooded in the 100 years my family has been on this property, and I pay almost $1,600 in flood insurance a year."
Melick said that she has wanted to build on her land for years, but simply cannot afford to because of the building restrictions on her property. Oakley was honest when presented with the questioning of the benefits her property could receive when he said the construction will not help her area one bit.
"It always seems to be about Broad Ripple," Melick said. "Well, I technically still live in Broad Ripple. This should help my flood insurance too."
Melick is not the only resident currently paying high rates. Haadsma-Svensson said that the Monon Row Homeowners' Association currently pays $25,000 a year in flood insurance fees.
"We also will not have lower rates until all three parts of the floodwall are built," she said.
Oakley was able to tie up the loose ends for the wait on reduced rates. He said that the wall essentially ties together several pieces of high ground, and there are still risks that won't pass FEMA inspections until the entire project is finished.
"If we don't close the northern end, those areas can flood," he said. "If we don't close the Southern end, the river can overflow-it is a continuous barrier for protection. We are only as strong as the weakest link."
Oakley explained that when the project is finished, all the information will be submitted to FEMA. The city will write a press release, and send notification to all the benefited properties.
"At that point, the owners can submit their letters of revision to their lenders, and have their premium waved," he said.
A detail of the section of levee wall between the Monon Trail and Westfield Boulevard. The complete document can be found below.
To see a full scale PDF of the layout of construction and closure, please see below:
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