1995-04-27_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

age ATE T nter 1 5 Most homes and businesses were provided protection by the pro)ect. However, some 60 homes and 10 businesses had to be relocated or demolished. Many of the homes were moved to undeveloped bts within fhe city and refurbished. Some were relocated by the nonprofit orgaNzatlon Homes For Humanity. A major benefit of the project (s that the need for flood Insurance wiH be eliminated or avaGable at the lowest rate possible. An Interim fk>od insurance study (FIS) was developed to give those affected by work already completed the opportuNty to benefit pr(or to the project's overall completion. Those affected by later stages of the project can expect to see the same benefit when the final FIS is completed. This will most likely be done sometime in 1997. Once completed, there will be no homes or businesses located within the regulatory floodplain. Maybe the most notable aspect of the project is the recreational opportuNties provided by the trail system developed adjacent to the channel. tt extends to all areas of the city connecting more than 23 miles of trolls In the Rochester area and to the 13 mile Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Douglas Tra(I. The trail ES paved, well kmdscaped, and, due to the replacement of several bridges, passes all but one major roadway below grade. Another mayor recreational feature of the project is the development of a county park adjacent to a 118 acre lake created by the Bear Creek flood retentbn reservoir. Faci~tfes at the park will include campsites, a boat Launch, swim beach, pkNc shelters, trails, and f~hing opportunities. Once the resenrofr reaches its normal pool elevatbn the DNR's Sectbn of Fisheries will be stocking the kake. Two other flood control reservdrs aid Sliver Lake wql also be stocked. The project has not been without controversy. Streams that once quietly meandered through neighborhoods now have the ster(le appearance of rock and concrete. Environmental concerns have always contested the bss of this resource and the adequacy of the mitigatbn provided. Looking back, would this city known for its medical prominence request a second opWon? It fs questionable whether - that with today's environmental concerns ' _ _ and pogticat climate that a projec# of this magnitude could again be realized. Authority to study flood control for the Cify of Rochester was first granted by the federal government ~ 1936. Almost 60 years later, however good or bad, ftood control for the City of Rochester is now a redity. fie completed hood control project will contain tboding to within the banks of the river and wilt offer residents access to 23 miles of paved trails. it the confluence of fhe South Fork of the Zumbro Rtvor and 6®or Creek, water overflow®d the banks and rushed down 2nd Avenue near the peak of the tloodinp in Roctwster.