Project: A Basin Approach: Upper Cedar River Watershed Coalition
Recipient: Trees Forever
770 7th Avenue
Marion, IA 52302
Amount Requested: $386,500
Funds will be used to provide technical and planning assistance, education and outreach to both participating and non-participating communities, install best management practices, and measure outcomes of projects to improve the Upper Cedar River Watershed. The Cedar River flooded at record-breaking levels in 2008 causing billions in damage; this project will help reduce the chances of another flood of that level happening through a variety of watershed enhancement methods.
Project: Cedar Rapids Emergency Communications Center Equipment
Recipient: City of Cedar Rapids
3851 River Ridge Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
The current Radio/Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System used by the City of Cedar Rapids Emergency Communications Center is over a decade old and highly susceptible to breakdowns and failure. Due to the age of the system, replacement parts are no longer manufactured and repairs are increasingly difficult. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office currently operates a wide band UHF radio system that is not compliant with the FCC’s mandate that public safety communications move to a narrow band frequency. The Marion Police Department is also out of compliance with the FCC’s mandate, and none of the three systems operated by these neighboring law enforcement departments are interoperable. Their inability to communicate with one another was demonstrated during the massive flooding that took place in 2008, when information sharing between the agencies was severely hampered and lack of system redundancy meant that both the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and the Cedar Rapids Police Department lost their emergency call centers within 24 hours of each other. This funding would be used to purchase a primary controller, which would manage the entire communications system of the Center. By investing in the backbone of an updated and interoperable communications system, this funding will help to improve communication, coordination, and public safety both in day-to-day operations and in emergency situations.
Project: Cedar Rapids, IA, Cedar River Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study
Recipient: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Rock Island District
Clock Tower Building
PO Box 2004
Rock Island, IL 61204
Amount Requested: $6,700,000
$700,000 of this funding will be used to complete the Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study that is 70% complete in Cedar Rapids, IA. The City of Cedar Rapids was devastated by record flooding in 2008. This Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study is examining alternative options for providing flood protection for the areas of the city that flooded in 2008. $6,000,000 of this funding will be used to begin preliminary engineering and design of a flood protection system for the city.
Project: Cedar Rapids Science Center
200 5th Ave SE Suite 201
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Recipient: Cedar Rapids Science Center
Amount Requested: $750,000
This request would support the initial planning, conceptual design, fundraising, exhibit design, curriculum development, installation, marketing, and administrative costs for the Cedar Rapids Science Center. The Cedar Rapids Science Center sustained significant damage in the June 2008 flood. Ninety percent of all exhibits were lost, in addition to computers, files, tools and office equipment. The Science Center is a valuable community resource that serves a variety of educational purposes for both children and adults. The renovation of the Science Center will support good-paying construction jobs and, when complete, create jobs at the Science Center itself.
Project: Cedar River Conservation and Naturalization Initiative
Recipient: City of Cedar Rapids
3851 River Ridge Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
The City of Cedar Rapids is requesting funds which will be used by the city to conserve, protect, and naturalize 46 acres on the banks of the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids, IA. This project will expand and conserve biological diversity and promote healthy ecosystems around the river. In addition, restoration of the waterfront will provide a natural filter for water runoff helping to improve water quality and slow down the speed of runoff. The City of Cedar Rapids was devastated by flooding in 2008; according to the city, this project is part of the River Corridor Redevelopment Process that was developed by the community.
Project: Language Request
Recipient: City of Cedar Rapids
3851 River Ridge Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Amount Requested: N/A
The City of Cedar Rapids has requested and would benefit from a request for legislative text to be added to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act which would waive the Federal interest and useful life requirements for the City of Cedar Rapids Ground Transportation Center. This facility was badly damaged by the Floods of 2008 that devastated the city.
Project: Language Request
Recipient: City of Cedar Rapids
3851 River Ridge Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Amount Requested: N/A
The City of Cedar Rapids has requested and would benefit from a request for legislative text to be added to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act which would allow greater flexibility to the City of Cedar Rapids in the use of the nearly $800 million in Community Development Block Grant Funds provided to the State of Iowa through the two disaster appropriations bill the Congressman secured for disaster recovery from the Floods of 2008.
Project: Language Request
Recipient: City of Cedar Rapids
3851 River Ridge Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Amount Requested: N/A
The City of Cedar Rapids has requested and would benefit from a request for legislative text to be added to the Homeland Security Appropriations Act which would waive a provision of the Community Disaster Loan Program and would provide the City of Cedar Rapids with additional resources for disaster recovery from the Floods of 2008.
Project: City of Cedar Rapids Bus Replacement Initiative
Recipient: City of Cedar Rapids
3851 River Ridge Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Amount Requested: $1,820,000
Funds will be used to replace five 1990 model 35 foot heavy-duty buses that have a programmed 12-year, 500,000 mile useful life. The current Cedar Rapids Transit buses are over 8 years and 200,000 miles beyond their useful lives. In addition, the buses in question were used during evacuation of the city as a result of the Floods of 2008 that devastated the City of Cedar Rapids. The buses traveled through high water which contributed to the deterioration of their condition. The City of Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in the state and the transit department on average serves 1.209 million riders per year.
Project: City of Cedar Rapids Collector Wells
Recipient: City of Cedar Rapids
3851 River Ridge Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Amount Requested: $2,310,000
In the summer of 2008, the City of Cedar Rapids experienced an unprecedented flood event, well beyond the estimated 500 year level, which nearly overwhelmed the city’s water supply. During the worst of the flooding, only one water collecting well remained in service jeopardizing the city’s supply. The project will include construction of two new collector wells at a sufficient elevation to protect the city’s water supply from future flood damage.
Project: Des Moines County Highway 99 Flint River Bridge Replacement and Flood Mitigation
Recipient: Des Moines County
513 N Main St
Burlington, IA 52601
Amount Requested: $325,000
Funds will be used to replace the current 1950s-era bridge and elevate the roadway and bridge approaches above the floodway. The project also includes realignment of the Flint River channel to ensure the bridge no longer serves as a trap for floating debris leading to flooding upstream and increasing damage to the bridge. The road and bridge are often closed as a result of flooding which creates an extremely difficult situation on a regional freight route that carries 490 trucks per day and over 2000 vehicles. The efficient operation of this road and bridge are critical to the flow of commerce in the region and supporting key industries like manufacturing, grain export, and agriculture. During the Floods of 2008 that devastated the State of Iowa, the roadway was closed leading to a detour route of 8 miles.
Project: Edgewood Road Corridor Improvements at the Cedar River Bridge and Ellis Park
Recipient: City of Cedar Rapids
3851 River Ridge Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Amount Requested: $4,500,000
Funds will be used to raise the south Cedar River Bridge approach on Edgewood Road and reconstruct the intersection with Ellis Boulevard in order to allow Edgewood Road to remain open during flood events. In 2008, the City of Cedar Rapids was devastated by record flooding. During this flooding, Edgewood Road was closed for ten days making the bridge inaccessible. The only bridge crossing the Cedar River, which divides the city, that remained open during the flood was the I-380 Bridge; Edgewood Road and eight other bridges in the area remained closed. This project will ensure the road and bridge are not closed during flooding, improve overall transportation efficiency, and improve emergency response times during flooding as well.
Project: Elevation of Dubuque Street and Replacement of the Park Road Bridge
Recipient: City of Iowa City
410 E Washington St
Iowa City, IA 52240
Amount Requested: $10,000,000
Funds will be used for the reconstruction and elevation of Dubuque Street and Park Road Bridge in Iowa City above the 100-year flood level. Dubuque Street is the main entrance to Iowa City from Interstate 80 and carries approximately 25,500 vehicles per day. Dubuque Street is the first street to close during a heavy rain or flooding due to the current low elevation limiting access to downtown Iowa City, the University of Iowa and Hospitals, Mercy Hospital, and the Veterans Administration Hospital. During the Floods of 2008, approximately 14 inches of backwater was measured at the Park Road Bridge which contributed to the flooding of upstream properties. This project will create jobs and provide the needed protection from flooding for the community’s main economic artery. In addition, the community has approved a local option sales tax to help finance a portion of the project along and is also pursuing other federal funds appropriated specifically for flood recovery by Congress.
Project: Inspection of Completed Works – Iowa Levee Safety Program Periodic Inspections
Recipient: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Rock Island District
Clock Tower Building
PO Box 2004
Rock Island, IL 61204
Amount Requested: $952,000
Funds will be used by the Corps to inspect levees annually and also perform a more detailed periodic inspection of levees as required by the National Levee Safety Program. There are a significant number of levees that protect homes, businesses, and private property in Iowa that are maintained, inspected, and either built or repaired by the Corps that require periodic inspections. After our state was devastated by flooding in 2008, proper maintenance and functioning of the levees was shown to be even more important to reduce the impacts of future flooding that may occur.
Project: Iowa Center for Flood Research and Education
Recipient: University of Iowa
105 Jessup Hall
Iowa City, Iowa 52242
Amount Requested: $900,000
The devastating flooding that hit Iowa in June 2008 resulted in billions of dollars in damage and severely impacted a broad swath of the Midwest. Recent climate change research and rising sea levels suggest that floods will become increasingly frequent and severe over time. The University of Iowa is home to the first state-based center dedicated to flood research and education – the Iowa Flood Center. This funding would allow the Center to continue to work with other universities and its current partners, such as the National Weather Service, the US Geological Survey, and the US Army Corps of Engineers, to focus on flood research and education, with a particular emphasis on mitigating and preventing the devastating effects of flooding. This funding would support and expand the Center, allowing it to establish links between flood frequency and the physical aspects that lead to floods; to develop forecasting capabilities to predict flood inundation levels; to research methods to address the physical impact of flooding and the causes of it; and to develop multiple sensors for monitoring rainfall, soil moisture, surface runoff, and other predictors of flooding. This funding would allow the University of Iowa to continue to be a leader in bringing together experts in several fields to collaborate on studying all aspects of flood prevention, and would also support the training of the next generation of hydrologic engineers in Iowa who will help to continue this critical research and development of prevention and response strategies.
Project: Iowa Highway 99 Bridge Reconstruction at Wapello and Oakville
Recipient: Louisa County
117 South Main Street
Wapello, IA 52653
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Funds will be used for the reconstruction bridges that serve the cities of Oakville and Wapello on Iowa Highway 99 which is also part of the National Scenic Byways Program and Great River Road System. During the Floods of 2008 that devastated the State of Iowa, these bridges were inundated with flood water and debris. An inspection of these bridges has found that a portion of the bridge structures are fracture critical. The bridges are additionally exhibiting a loss of concrete with exposed reinforcement bars, corroded superstructures, and supporting piers that are critically scoured by the river. Iowa Highway 99 and these bridges play a critical role in southeast Iowa’s agribusiness and tourism industries. Consequently, these improvements are necessary for the long-term employment and sustainability of area farms and businesses in the Wapello and Oakville area.
Project: Floodplain Management Services (FPMS) Urban Levee Evaluations
Recipient: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Rock Island District
Clock Tower Building
PO Box 2004
Rock Island, IL 61204
Amount Requested: $60,000
Funds will be used to initiate evaluation of flooding scenarios and emergency planning assistance for urban levee systems. The Floods of 2008 devastated the State of Iowa, ensuring proper planning is in place for future disasters is crucial to protect our communities, homes and business from another disaster.
Project: Fort Madison Booster Station and Water Main
Recipient: City of Fort Madison
811 Avenue E
Fort Madison, IA 52627
Amount Requested: $2,514,050
Funds will be used to further the construction of a new drinking water treatment facility and to construct a water pressure booster in order to ensure proper pressure for elevated portions of the city and for fire-fighting purposes. Further construction of the drinking water treatment facility includes the construction of a water main to connect the new facility to the existing distribution system. Once the project is fully completed, it will help the city meet short and long-term drinking water quality regulations and improve overall drinking water quality for residents as the city had previously received notices of noncompliance. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has recommended the construction of a new water treatment plant after finding that the deteriorating structure was exacerbated by the devastating impact of the 2008 flood. Additionally, the project will help improve economic development prospects for the city with additional drinking water processing capabilities.
Project: Mississippi Drive Corridor U.S. 61 – Business Improvements
Recipient: City of Muscatine
City Hall
215 Sycamore Street
Muscatine, IA 52761
Amount Requested: $3,600,000
Funds will be used for development of major improvements to the U.S. 61 transportation system linking Muscatine’s central business district and community to the city’s primary riverfront activities. Specifically, the project includes reconstruction of 1.6 miles of U.S. 61 along with a variety of improvements to the roadway and pedestrian accessibility. In addition, the project will provide flood protection for the roadway that is estimated to mitigate 65 percent of all closures related to flooding along this commercial highway corridor. The project will also lead to increased access for employees and business traffic in the area. Since 1984 the city has worked and spent $18 million to preserve this corridor along with numerous private businesses located in the project area.
Project: Public Library Technology Enhancements
Recipient: City of Cedar Rapids
3851 River Ridge Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Amount Requested: $487,200
This request would fund equipment and installation of enhanced check-in services for the Cedar Rapids library. The Cedar Rapids library was severely impacted by the June 2008 floods, and as they work to rebuild, the library is working to enhance its operations and its level of service to the community.
Project: Regional Economic Commerce Center and Business Incubator
Recipient: Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
424 1st Avenue NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Amount Requested: $1,817,750
The City of Cedar Rapids, along 85 of 99 counties in Iowa, was devastated by flooding in 2008 including hundreds of businesses. Funds will be used by the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce to operate a regional economic commerce center and business incubator which will serve as the co-location center for business services and economic development, as well as 17,000 sq ft of business incubator space. The incubator space will be used for cultivating entrepreneurs and their businesses and will serve as a resource for flooded business owners. The one-stop-shop will provide the essential resources for businesses to start, grow, rebuild from the flooding, and continue to prosper. The center will also utilize the expertise of public entities such as the city and county governments and universities and colleges in the area. The two main goals for the center are to create and attract long-term sustainable jobs for the region and provide assistance to hundreds of business owners that were devastated by the floods of 2008.
Project: Restoration of National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids
Recipient: National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library
87 16th Avenue SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Amount Requested: $500,000
This project would fund the production of a new permanent exhibition that would feature the stories and oral histories of Czech- and Slovak-Americans, including those who escaped from communism in the 20th Century. The National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library was devastated by the June 2008 flooding in Iowa. Prior to the flood, 5,000 students visited the museum annually to enrich their educational experience and these requested funds would help rebuild the museum’s permanent exhibition so that it can again provide students with this important educational opportunity. The museum draws visitors from across the country, having a positive impact on the Cedar Rapids economy and creating jobs both at the museum and in the travel and tourism industry.
Project: Riverfront Redevelopment
Recipient: City of Cedar Rapids
3851 River Ridge Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
The City of Cedar Rapids is requesting funding that will be used by the city to acquire properties and redevelop two sites which are located in the Cedar River Time Check riverfront area into 103 acre-total large multi-use public spaces that would include greenways, pedestrian walkways, recreation opportunities, and other public economic development initiatives. The community collaborated with the city on this redevelopment plan through a series of in-depth public input sessions termed the River Corridor Redevelopment Process and a four month interactive Neighborhood Planning Process which is still ongoing. The area will additionally include three multipurpose public fields and a public amphitheater.
Project: Soap Creek Watershed Project
Recipient: Soap Creek Watershed Board
402 Karr Ave. Suite A
Bloomfield, IA 52537
Amount Requested: $595,000
Funds will be used to provide financial and technical assistance to the Soap Creek Watershed Board to continue construction of flood-retarding structures in the Soap Creek Watershed located in Appanoose, Davis, Monroe, and Wapello Counties in Southeast Iowa. These flood retarding structures also help prevent flood water from overtopping numerous roads and help to prevent damage to many bridges in the area. This funding will also help protect local homes, farms, and businesses from future flooding.
Project: Upper Mississippi River Comprehensive Plan
Recipient: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Rock Island District
Clock Tower Building
PO Box 2004
Rock Island, IL 61204
Amount Requested: $3,500,000
Funds will be used by the Corps to initiate a study on flood protection on the Iowa River and Cedar River in addition to developing a study on providing greater flood protection of critical transportation infrastructure such as bridges and approaches in Burlington, IA, Fort Madison, IA, and Keokuk, IA. In 1993 and 2008, the Mississippi River and its tributaries in Iowa experienced record setting flooding. These projects will examine potential flood protection options on the tributaries and on critical transportation infrastructure crossing the Mississippi River.
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