The city of Ottawa is looking into ways it can cost-effectively raise Green Street to avoid flooding concerns.
“This is a project that has been on our radar, to raise Green Street on the east edge of town so when we have a major flood the East Side does not become an island,” said Mayor Bob Eschbach. “It’s not a cheap project.”
The cost is estimated at about $400,000.
The city council gave the go-ahead to apply for a FEMA pre-disaster mitigation grant during Tuesday night’s council meeting that would pay 75 percent of the project, with the city footing the other 25 percent.
In other business, the council approved:
•Alex Spencer to the Playground and Recreation Board with a term ending July 2023.
•Annexed eight surrounding parcels of the Fields Hill subdivision.
•$19,500 to Grand Rapids Enterprises for a demolition at 515 Illinois Ave. paid for by grant proceeds, which will house a new lift station to replace the one currently in a floodplain to the south.
•The sale of 1203 Fulton St. for $1. The property was out for public bid but no interest was found. The agreement includes the new owner fixing issues with the roof and acquiring an occupancy permit within two years. Eschbach said the agreement helps get the property back on tax rolls rather than spend several thousand dollars to tear it down.
