Final Storm Water Grant Hearing Pending

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Storm water project area

Photo by Linda Karn

(posted 7.2.08)

The Allison - Gerrard Avenue Storm Water Relief Project received unanimous support from the seven Gerrard Avenue residents that have been suffering from excess storm water problems, some for as long as 40 years.

"We've been fighting this a long time," Lucy Tingle said at July 2 public hearing.

The Speedway Storm Water Management Board is seeking a $500,000 Community Focus grant to help fund the $2.7 million project that will separate the storm and sewer water. The town is eligible for the grant since 53.4 percent of the town's population is low to moderate income.

Dave Kieser, grant consultant, said this is one of two public hearings that are necessary. He urged the public to submit written comments and photos about their losses due to flooding. No date has been set for the final meeting.

The storm water improvements will separate the storm and sewer water south of 21st street to 20th Street. The storm water will be diverted to Dry Run Ditch. The project will also separate the storm and sewers on Gerrard and Allison between the 1600 and 1800 blocks.

Tingle said the flooding has placed her in a FEMA flood area without her knowledge, "which makes insurance policies skyrocket." She said the flooding has cracked her basement walls and destroyed a basement on Allison Avenue. She said Gerrard Avenue now is receiving excess water from Allison Avenue. Last year, the street department tried to reduce surface water coming from Lynhurst Drive and Coppertree Apartments by improving the drainage on Woolco Lane and 22nd Street. Coppertree Apartments also improved the drainage ditch on the southern edge of its property. The improvement project pushed the water to the west.

Vickie Wilkerson of 2039 Gerrard Avenue explained the last two heavy rains she tried to keep the storm drains along Gerrard Avenue clear from debris to keep the water moving. To stress the serious of the flooding, Wilkerson said neighbors don't leave town without giving their cell phone numbers in case a big rain hits.

"You don't know what you are going to come back too," a resident said.

Surface water is not the only issue destroying basements. Judy Perfetto also complained of being hit with raw sewage coming up through her basement toilet. She said the problem is bigger than in between 21st Street and 16th Street and Gerrard and Allison Avenue. At the DLGF June 26 meeting, Jack Norris discussed sewage in his basement. He resides north of 25th Street.

Kieser said they will look at other funding sources like low interest loans and grants to complete the entire funding package.

Town Manager Barbara Lawrence said the financing package will parallel with the project design stages to determine revenue sources to pay for the project.