GIRARD Cash sought for flooding problem in The Flats

Girard could use its revolving-loan fund to help pay for the project.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- The Trumbull County Planning Commission suggested some available funding sources the city could tap to get money to move eight households out of The Flats area.
The Flats is underneath the viaduct between downtown Girard and McDonald. Because it's in the Mahoning River flood plain, the area is frequently flooded during heavy rains.
The area that contains eight older houses was especially hit hard by flooding during last summer's thunderstorms.
Mayor James J. Melfi has applied for a Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Plain Mitigation Grant.
The $636,000 project calls for household relocation and demolition of the houses.
The problem is that the financially strapped city would have to come up with 25 percent of the grant, or $159,000. FEMA would provide the $477,000 balance.
Gary E. Newbrough, planning commission director, has informed the city this week the $159,000 might be made up through one or a combination of various government funding sources.
Possible funding
Alan Knapp, commission assistant director, said Thursday that one of the most promising sources is the city's revolving loan fund that has $141,000 in it.
The fund hasn't been used recently for business loans. It was initially funded from a federal Community Development Block Grant set aside for that purpose.
Since the fund hasn't been used recently, Knapp said the Ohio Department of Development suggested to him that the city seek a waiver for its use.
"The state would welcome a waiver from the city," Knapp said, noting the property owners in The Flats wouldn't be required to repay the fund.
If the $141,000 from the revolving loan is used, Knapp explained, Girard businesses in need of loans can apply to the county, which has about $500,000 available in a similar fund.
Another option is the use of funds in the Community Housing Improvement program.
The city receives about $550,000 every other year to bring lower-income houses up to standard, make emergency repairs and help first-time homeowners with their down payments.
CHIP may be an eligible source next year, George Zokle of CT Consultants of Austintown told the planning commission.
The city has $60,000 in another CDBG fund, but Melfi wants that money used to demolish the former North Avenue Elementary School to make way for senior citizen housing.
There is a similar fund at the county level that might be used in The Flats as the local share.
Knapp said there's also about $200,000 available through a CDBG Imminent Threat Grant. It's a competitive grant to eliminate threats to public health and safety, however, which means other communities can apply for it.
yovich@vindy.com