News
August 22, 2008
harkin announces over $35 million in fema funding for cedar rapids and linn county flood recovery
Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded Cedar Rapids and Linn County over $35 million in federal grants to aid in the recovery from the devastation caused by flooding. Today’s announcement is the beginning of funding that will come to Cedar Rapids, Linn County and the state as the rebuilding process begins.
“The floodwaters may have receded, but Iowa communities are still in the early stages of recovery from the historic flooding that ravaged our state this summer,” said Harkin. “Cedar Rapids and Linn County have experienced devastation in all aspects of government – city halls, fire stations and senior centers are damaged, and many have dangerous conditions for public health and safety. Today’s funding announcement will go a long way toward helping our state put the pieces back together one building at a time.”
$1,118,172 – Linn County – Witwer Senior Center. This funding will provide reimbursement for the cost associated with the muck out, environmental stabilization, initial clean up, rip out and disposal of contaminated materials in the Witwer Senior Center.
$1,960,253 – City of Cedar Rapids – Debris Removal Tipping Fees. This grant will allow for reimbursement of tipping fees associated with the completed flood debris removal and estimated amount of debris left to be removed.
$1,012,500 – City of Cedar Rapids, Central Fire Station Emergency Stabilization. This funding will provide reimbursement for estimated costs incurred to have the fire station mucked out following the flooding in late May, which left the first floor of the fire station completely submerged.
$9,372,342 – City of Cedar Rapids, City Hall Building Permanent Repairs. Funding will assist in the repairs needed to restore City Hall, which is on the Historical Register. The building’s basement and mezzanine were completely contaminated with floodwaters with approximately three feet of floodwater on the first floor.
$1,133,836 – City of Cedar Rapids, Emergency First-Pass Debris Removal Contract. This grant will assist the City of Cedar Rapids with the cost of emergency removal of 16,330 tons of debris, which was collected and disposed of following flooding.
$3,646,592 – City of Cedar Rapids, Central Fire Station Repairs. The funding will aid the City with estimated repairs based on the City’s square foot replacement cost provided by their insurance company for Central Fire Station building. The first floor of the building was completely submerged under floodwater, damaging walls, wall finishes, ceilings, electrical systems and mechanical systems.
$2,565,000 – City of Cedar Rapids – Police Department Building Stabilization. This funding will aid in the reimbursement for tipping fees associated with the mucking out of the police department building. Floodwaters submerged approximately one foot of the ground floor and caused mold and contaminated materials to be deposited. The City undertook emergency protective measures to reduce the threat of public safety by having the building dewatered, cleaned out, and removed mold infested walls and contents and structurally sanitized the building.
$9,744,375 – City of Cedar Rapids, Police Department Building Repairs. The funding will aid the City with estimated repairs based on the City’s square foot replacement cost provided by their insurance company for the Police Department Building (PDB). Floodwaters submerged the ground floor in approximately one foot of contaminated floodwaters. Damages include mold, deposits of contaminated materials, walls and wall finishes, ceiling, electrical systems and mechanical systems.
$2,230,922 – City of Cedar Rapids – Public Works Building Emergency Stabilization. Funding will aid in an emergency contract for stabilization work of the Public Works Building, which includes ventilation to remove airborne health hazards, odor-causing particles to stabilize air quality, dewatering of structure, removed damaged contents, coverings and components, structural sanitation of the basement and first floor, removal and disposal of hazardous waste. When the Cedar River overflowed, the ground floor, comprised of office space and open bays, was flooded to 36 inches above the floor. The basement was completely flooded.
$1,256,578 – Cedar Rapids Community School District – Emergency Protective Measures. Funding will assist with repairs include dewatering, mud removal, removal and inventory of damaged contents, provide structural cleaning, limited content cleaning, provide environmental stabilization with sanitation, provide desiccant dehumidification, testing for contaminants and disposing of debris. Cedar Rapids Community School District had multiple facilities with floodwater damage. The basement boiler room, basement cafeteria, first floor administrative services, first floor printing shop services and storage mezzanine suffered damages to electrical components, cabinetry, walls and flooring.
$1,798,252 – Linn County, Sheriff’s Department Building. Funding will aid the Linn County Sheriff’s Department with repairs to substantial damage to the department’s building, including labor, equipment, materials and subcontractor fee for muck out, clean up, environmental stabilization and initial demolition and transportation of contaminated materials to the Cedar Rapids landfill.
