City Begins Final Phase to Convert Flooded Homes to Greenspace

From the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management:

This week, the Department of Watershed Management (DWM) will begin the final phase of demolishing 12 homes along Peachtree Creek and the South River that experienced significant flooding in September 2009. The homes were deemed substantially damaged and lost more than 50 percent of their fair market value because of the flood.  Their acquisition and demolition will end future flood insurance claims under the National Flood Insurance Program and will restore a total of 5.6 acres of greenspace to the City’s floodplain area. Several of the properties will be adopted by neighborhood associations as public greenspace.

The Department has accomplished this project without expending any City funds. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided 75 percent of the funding to purchase the homes through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) added 10 percent, and property owners were responsible for the final 15 percent of costs.

“We are thrilled to be able to take something negative, flooded homes, and create something positive, new greenspace,” said Commissioner Jo Ann Macrina. “We are very grateful to FEMA and GEMA for their efforts in this project.”