Findlay flood mitigation advancing — slowly

FINDLAY — Findlay City Council is considering taking ownership of dozens of flood-prone properties, as Mayor Christina Muryn reports progress on major mitigation projects. The move would transfer 58 parcels from Hancock County to the city. The parcels, purchased by the Hancock County Board of Commissioners through both federal and state programs, are concentrated in some of Findlay's most flood-prone areas. The list includes properties on Broad Avenue, West and East Main Cross Street, Western Avenue, East Street, Liberty Street, South Blanchard Street, and east-side corridors such as East Front, Sandusky, Lincoln, High, Hardin, Bigelow and Melrose avenues. A vote by council is expected at its next regular meeting on Dec. 2. Buyouts have targeted homes and businesses in the Blanchard River floodplain, clearing structures from high-risk areas. Under rules established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the land must remain as open space to improve floodwater storage. Muryn gave a brief update on the status of local flood mitigation efforts at Tuesday's regular meeting of council. Additional mitigation work includes more river benching in downtown Findlay, construction of the Eagle Creek basin and replacement of the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge. The cost of the mitigation projects is expected to be $104 million, including an estimated cost of $5 million for the next leg of benching, $75 million for the Eagle Creek flood basin, $17 million for the Norfolk Southern Railroad bridge project, with a $7 million contingency. In total, local flood mitigation efforts are expected to reduce floodwater levels during a 100-year flood by three feet in downtown Findlay, removing over 2,000 parcels from the floodplain. Muryn said brownfield remediation for the second leg of river benching, a county project, is expected to begin on Dec. 1. The benches will be built along the north side of the river, from the Main Street bridge to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway overpass at East Main Cross Street. It includes property on North Main Street, Clinton Court, Jefferson Street, Taylor Street, Meeks Avenue, Meeks Court and North Cory Street, which will eventually be used for the proposed downtown recreation area. Concerns about environmental liabilities halted the transfer of 71 benching properties to the city, along that stretch of the river, in 2023. Findlay has already taken ownership of the land included in the first round of benching. The benches are meant to increase the river's capacity during floods. Completed in 2018, the $6.1 million river benching project widened the river by cutting "benches" into the north bank for about 3,500 feet between the Norfolk Southern Railroad bridge and Broad Avenue. The benches are meant to increase the river's capacity during floods. Muryn also said FEMA is now reviewing a request made by the city and county to revise flood maps based on the improvements that have already been made. Boundaries and elevations of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) would be officially changed with the revision, potentially removing or reducing flood risk designations for more than 1,300 parcels. A total of 1,080 parcels will be completely removed from the SFHA. Another 985 parcels, covering roughly 67 acres, will remain in the flood zone but with a lowered 100-year water surface elevation. "They have 90 days to tell us if there are any changes that are necessary," Muryn said. "If we don't receive any notification in 90 days, then it will become effective six months from when they received it." Upon approval, flood insurance rate maps will be updated, and affected property owners will be notified. Properties removed from the SFHA may no longer be required to carry flood insurance, depending on lender and insurance company policies. Those remaining in the SFHA with reduced elevations may see lower premiums and fewer regulatory restrictions. For more information and to view maps of affected parcels, visit findlayohio.gov or hancockcountyflooding.com. Muryn said city officials also continue to push for the release of the $24 million FEMA flood hazard mitigation grant needed for the construction of the basin and the second leg of river benching. Money from the FEMA flood mitigation grant will be used to help fund the construction of the Eagle Creek flood basin and provide $5 million for continued benching of the Blanchard River. The state of Ohio has already awarded $60 million from its 2022-23 operating budget to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the construction of the basin. Muryn said bidding on the railroad bridge project could begin soon. "The Maumee Watershed Conservancy District had a great call with Norfolk Southern, and I think they've worked through all of the construction agreement issues," Muryn said. "Once we have that updated and receive a signed copy, then they should be able to begin bidding out the work." The project has been awarded a $7.1 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration. The grant will help pay for the cost of replacing the aging Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge over the Blanchard River in downtown Findlay. The current bridge, built in the early 1900s, restricts water flow during high river levels. The new design will double the bridge span from 150 to 300 feet and raise its elevation, allowing for better water passage and reducing flood levels by an estimated 0.3 feet at Main Street during a 100-year storm event. The county will pay $5 million towards the construction of the bridge, which will account for most of the balance of the local flood mitigation fund. Findlay will pay $4.6 million. In 2009, Hancock County voters approved a 10-year, 0.25% additional sales tax to pay for flood mitigation. The additional sales tax generated about $32 million over 10 years.