Flood Wall Project

Board of Public Works Will Vote on a New District to Fund Flood Protection for Properties in Rocky Ripple on Feb 27th

redmomr City of Indianapolis, Flood Protection, Flood Wall Project

At a meeting on February 27, 2019, the Indianapolis Board of Public Works (BPW) will vote on whether to recommend the creation of a Flood Control Improvement District (District) including many special flood hazard properties in the Rocky Ripple area of Indianapolis. While not a new tax, any positive change in property tax revenue assessed from properties included in this proposed White River — Rocky Ripple Flood Control Improvement District would be directed specifically to fund the construction or maintenance of infrastructure to reduce the risk of damage due to flooding. “Similar to a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, establishing this proposed District would keep any new revenue close to home,” said Dan Parker, Chairman of the Board of Public Works and Director of the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW). “Floodplain properties included in the White River — Rocky Ripple Flood Control Improvement District would see a portion of their property tax assessment directed right back into projects that address their flooding issues.” All owners of property included in the proposed White River — Rocky Ripple Flood Control Improvement District (approximately 554 parcels) have been notified of the BPW vote on whether to recommend the District. The upcoming BPW meeting will include a public hearing on the subject, and these District property owners are invited to attend and provide public comment. The BPW meeting will take place on February 27 at 1:00 P.M. in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building in downtown Indianapolis. A map of properties recommended for inclusion in the proposed White River — Rocky Ripple Flood Control Improvement District is here (http://image.email.indy.gov/lib/fe3e157075640478741579/m/1/d9ed9dd2-551f-475d-aec0-31cc318533d1.pdf). A general information page on Flood Control Improvement Districts, including a sample district map is here (http://image.email.indy.gov/lib/fe3e157075640478741579/m/1/f6146cfb-a77c-46c8-a4fd-844e6a81c953.pdf). Should the BPW vote to recommend the District, its creation will then need to be approved by both the Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC) and the City-County Council. Both of these acting bodies will provide opportunity to present public comment on the process from District property owners. The multi-step process to establish a Flood Control Improvement District in Marion County is authorized by Indiana Code 36-7-15.6; this legislation provides for the establishment of a special fund to be used for the planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance of local flood control works and activities that specifically benefit special flood hazard properties. In February 2017, Mayor Joe Hogsett and the Department of Public Works announced a commitment of $10 million over 5 years to explore local flood damage reduction projects for the Town of Rocky Ripple. Since that time, DPW has worked with the Town of Rocky Ripple and Butler University to study how best to partner for flood protection. In July 2018, a study prepared by engineering firm AECOM (https://citybase-cms-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/71bb5c4041704af1b5908d885d74bf3c.pdf) outlined 3 alternatives for constructing a local project. In November 2018, the Board of the Town of Rocky Ripple resolved both to accept Alternative 3 (https://rockyripple.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/Option-3-RRTB-Resolution-13Nov2018.pdf) from this study as the preferred alternative for a flood control project, and to support the recommendation (https://rockyripple.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/Option-3-RRTB-Funding-Resolution-13Nov2018.pdf) of a local Flood Control Improvement District to help fund such a project. The proposed White River — Rocky Ripple Flood Control Improvement District uses the description of Alternative 3 from the 2018 AECOM study–preferred by the Board of the Town of Rocky Ripple–as the description and location of proposed flood control works to be associated with the District. A full description of the proposed flood works is here (http://image.email.indy.gov/lib/fe3e157075640478741579/m/1/ed6551a7-c35c-4df5-b10e-94627c15730c.pdf).

BU, DPW to Attend Feb RR Town Board Meeting

redmomr Butler University, City of Indianapolis, Flood Protection, Flood Wall Project

Mark your calendars to attend the 12-Feb-2019 Rocky Ripple Town Board meeting at 7:30 pm, at the town hall.  Butler University representatives and City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works project leadership will attend to provide the latest updates on, and answer questions about, Butler support of the river levee project and general status of the project.

BRIDGE CLOSURES

redmomr Flood Protection, Flood Wall Project
Just in from the engineers working on the floodwall along Westfield Blvd: As of right now our schedule tentatively is for closure of 53rd St. bridge the week of 8-05-2018. The 52nd St. bridge closure will follow after the 53rd street closure. The 52nd St. closure would start 8-19-2018. Each closure will be for 11 days each. If we get done sooner, then we will open up closure as soon as we can or if the schedule changes we will let you know ASAP.

Last Scheduled Flood Q & A on Sunday Oct 15th

redmomr Flood Protection, Flood Wall Project, Meeting Notices
The 3rd of 3 question and answer sessions regarding Rocky Ripple flood protection initiatives is scheduled for this Sunday, 15-Oct-2017 at 4 pm at the Town Hall. Town council member(s) will be present to answer any questions you may have on this topic. Residents can also take as much time as they need to review the floodwall rendering drawings that show what some of the floodwall protection options would look like along the river.
The sessions are also an opportunity for residents to stop by and complete flood protection surveys if they have not already done so. The survey asks for residents to provide their viewpoints on what should be done for flood protection. The Town Council is working to ensure that a completed survey is obtained from each residence/home owner in Rocky Ripple. The completed surveys will be utilized by the Town Council to determine which option will be pursued for flood protection.

Rocky Ripple Flood Protection Survey

redmomr Flood Protection, Flood Wall Project, Uncategorized

If you are a Rocky Ripple resident, Rocky Ripple home and/or property owner, the Town Council asks for your input on Flood Protection – what do you want done and why?  Please complete the Flood Protection survey and return it to the Town Council by 20-Jul-2017.

Hard copies are being delivered to all residences.  Info received from the surveys will be used, in conjunction with data from other sources, to develop actions for flood protection of Rocky Ripple.

Click here to view/print a copy of the survey.

Your completed survey and comments can be dropped in the mail slot at the east end of the town hall; mailed to us at 930 West 54th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208; or you can scan in your completed form and email it to:  TownCouncil@RockyRipple.com

Levee Floodwall Rendering Meeting on Tuesday, June 6th

redmomr Flood Protection, Flood Wall Project, Meeting Notices, Uncategorized

The Rocky Ripple Town Board will host a special meeting to discuss the town’s flood control project on June 6th at 7p.m.  The meeting will be held at the Meridian Street United Methodist Church, 5500 North Meridian Street.  The meeting will focus on the options for Rocky Ripple’s local flood control project, as discussed in the AECOM report. The options will be shown through renderings of several areas in the neighborhood.

Details are contained in the attached copy of the flyer that was distributed in hard copy form to all residents:  Rocky Ripple Flood Project Meeting Notice

Flood Protection Updates

redmomr Flood Protection, Flood Wall Project

Everyone,

There are several updates on flood protection initiatives in Rocky Ripple that we wanted to share with you.  As always, we welcome your questions and discussion to understand this somewhat complicated issue.  As we will all need to contribute input on what our future flood protection will look like, Town Council President Carla Gaff-Clark has put together a summary of her thoughts to assist in understanding the issue.  Listed below are links to pages on this website that contain the following:  Carla’s message (which was also posted on Next Door), the final AECOM report regarding flood protection options along the river, AECOM’s response to the town board’s questions on the draft report, a link to the City’s Northside Floodwall project website, which was recently updated with the latest developments, and finally a copy of a card being mailed by the Indy DPW regarding vegetation removal along the canal and Westfield Blvd that will start shortly.

Please note also that further work is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, 28-Feb-2017 to remove additional problematic trees on the river levee between 344 Ripple Road and 820 West 54th Street.  If you have any questions at all, please ask.  We want to ensure that you are as informed as possible on this issue.
Sincerely,
Carla Gaff-Clark 317-441-5263
Jill Morris 317-408-0524
Mandy Redmond 317-319-7865

City Abandons Westbank Canal Wall

redmomr Flood Protection, Flood Wall Project, Uncategorized

The City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) contacted the Rocky Ripple Town Council late this afternoon to inform us about the attached press release that was distributed this evening.  It states that the DPW has decided, based upon the feasibility study completed, that the Canal Westbank Alignment project will not be pursued. Instead the City will be proceeding with the east side of the canal floodwall along Westfield Blvd.

The Westbank Alignment project could have affected Rocky Ripple homes along the canal, had it been accepted.  City officials stated that we were the first area notified because we would be most affected by this.  They pledged to work with us on what will happen now, based on this decision.  They added that they understand the unique position of Rocky Ripple and will work with us to address our outstanding levee/flood protection concerns.  Further info will be shared as we receive it.

Canal Floodwall Press Release 14-Dec-2015