Fort Wayne lands grant for assist with flood-prone properties
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded nearly $1.2 million to the city of Fort Wayne to assist with the acquisition of flood-prone properties, the city announced Tuesday. The funding comes from the agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
The city said in a news release that it will use the funding to acquire and demolish three properties on the southeast side and one on the northeast side.
The properties include three vacated homes and one empty commercial space. Mayor Tom Henry said the grant award speaks to the importance of collaboration among the city and its partners at the state and federal levels to make “lasting and meaningful changes.”
“Our proactive efforts over the past several years have led to many flood control improvement projects throughout Fort Wayne,” Henry said in the release. “The work has included storm pipes, earthen berms, flood walls, more green space, and the purchase of more than 200 homes prone to flooding over the last 30 years.”
Demolition of the properties is expected to begin later this year. A spokesperson for the city said the properties will be turned into green spaces once cleanup is complete.