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Summer/Fall 1995 WATER TALK Page 5 „.continued from page 4 The residents told the city council the cleaning was too much work. 'They were tired of cleaning," she said. When the council asked if there was interest in relocating to higher ground, the residents responded quite favorably. The town of Springfield believes that "the acquisition of the homes and relocation of the homeowners is by far the best flood damage reduction measure," Schwieger noted. The Springfield City Council said the homes along Cass Avenue "have been flooded in the past, and without the relocation program would have been flooded in the future." Marian Schwieger feels the relocation was a complete success. "Some of the residents worried that they wouldn't be paid enough for their homes, but they were all very happy with the outcome. HUD appraised their houses at the value before flood damages, so that was a really good deal for some. One family chose to stay in their house, but the others decided to relocate. The residents I've talked to have been very happy, with nice homes located high above the floodplain. They feel safe and don't have to worry about the river." The city council was very happy with the way FEMA and the MVAC handled the program. `The agencies worked together well. They helped and worked with the residents, and they kept us very well informed and called everyday." Only nine months after funding was approved (on March 24, 1994), the first house was demolished. Representatives from all the agencies were in Springfield that day, which illustrates how important teamwork was in this program. Schwieger also noted the relocation will save the town, state, and federal government a lot of money. Damage estimates and city costs for Springfield's major floods total almost $400,000. This doesn't include years when no estimates were available for costs of fighting the flooding. Relocation also eliminates the hardships and danger caused by reoccurrent flooding. An expanded Riverside Park encompasses the area where the flooded houses once stood. It is the kind of open space use of the floodplain which the Springfield Floodplain Management Ordinance encourages. The purpose of the Floodplain Management Ordinance is to promote wise land use management in the floodplain. Restoration of natural floodplain areas through the relocation of existing homes and businesses has been found to be acost-effective solution to eliminate or reduce reoccurring flood damages. „.~ntinued on page 9 One of the fourte~ homes that was demoltshsd as families chose to find peace of mind and move to higher ground. During this summer's storms, the river threatened to flood again. Families who chose 4o relocate were worry fry. This home, located near Riverside Park, did not escape flood damages. Ths property is bcated adjacent to the Cottonwood River and a bridge crossing.