The City of Crawfordsville will seek federal funding to buy out homes deemed most at danger from erosion along a problem leg of Sugar Creek as soon as next year.
The at-risk homes line part of North Sugar Cliff Drive and a two-block stretch of Wayne Avenue. They were on a list of 17 properties identified in an engineer’s report about erosion and flooding issues on the city’s west side.
The properties need to be removed to eliminate the danger from further erosion and bank failures in the area, experts from Christopher B. Burke Engineering said in last year’s report to the city.
Consultants will determine how many homes will be purchased based on a list of priorities set forth in the report, said Mayor Todd Barton. The city will apply this fall for funding from the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program, which is administered by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
Grants would be awarded in 2021.
Dwellings deemed most at risk from erosion include homes at 69 N. Sugar Cliff Drive, 79 N. Sugar Cliff Drive, 512 Wayne Ave., 515 Wayne Ave., 619 Wayne Ave., 700 Wayne Ave. and 704 Wayne Ave.
The homes have an estimated total value of more than $1 million, according to the report.
Discussion about the mitigation funding was on the agenda Wednesday for a virtual meeting of the Board of Public Works and Safety. The board met for the first time since public government meetings were canceled in March due to the health emergency.
Street Commissioner Scott Hesler reported that daily trash pickup has nearly doubled over the past two weeks, after the city suspended the use of trash stickers during the governor’s stay-at-home order.
The city is running two trucks to handle the extra loads.
“It’s working out OK, but we’re definitely picking up more,” Hesler said.
Street milling is scheduled to resume today on Pike Street, Wallace Avenue and Water Street, Hesler said. Crews will also continue paving Jennison Street.
In other business, the board:
• Renewed a three-year contract with Forman Blasters Pyrotechnics in the amount of $10,250 annually for the city’s Fourth of July fireworks displays.
• Approved mowing requests from Code Enforcement Officer Barry Lewis for properties at 203 S. Water St. owned by Malcolm Tanner and 705 Whitlock Ave. owned by Rafael and Teresa Sanchez. Trash will also be removed from the Sanchez’s property.
