FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLA…

Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a 500-Year Floodplain To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals This is to give notice that the West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) under Part 58 has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management, to determine the potential affect that its activity in the floodplain will have on the human environment for HOME Investment Partnerships Program under Grant M24-SG540100. The purpose of the project is to rehabilitate the former Tiskelwah Elementary School and construct an additional building, which will result in a total of 29 units serving families at or below 60% AMI. The proposed project will be called Tiskelwah House and is located at 600 Florida Street, Charleston, Kanawha County, WV 25302. The entire project site is approximately 1.808 acres, and it is in the 500-year floodplain, which has a base flood elevation of 593.4 feet, and the entire project parcel is 601.6 feet. The entire project parcel is above the 500-year floodplain and all improvements will be equal to or greater than 2 feet above base flood elevation. WVHDF has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values: Alternative 1: Locate the Project to another site that is not within the floodplain. Locating the Project to another site represents challenges that are greater than acquiring, rehabilitating, and constructing at the current site. These challenges include: (a) difficulty in finding a suitable, approximate 1.8-acre parcel in proximity to the current project site; and (b) the cost of acquiring a new parcel and the new construction costs for another site will exceed the total project costs on the current parcel. Therefore, Alternative 1 is impracticable. Alternative 2: Eliminate HOME from the project's funding sources. Currently the total Project costs are $8,449,629 and include realistic costs for rehabilitation and new construction. The elimination of HOME from the Project would create a $950,000 gap. Unfortunately, municipality, county, and state agencies offer minimal soft source funding options, and the Project would be unable to adequately fill the $950,000 gap. Consequently, the Project would only be able to accomplish approximately 89% of the construction, and that would be unsatisfactory and unacceptable. Therefore, Alternative 2 is impracticable. Alternative 3: Proceed with the proposed project, confirming all rehabilitation and new construction are equal to or greater than 2 feet above base flood elevation. Comply with the City of Charleston building requirements for activities in the 500-year floodplain. Alternative 3 is practicable. WVHDF has reevaluated the three-preceding alternatives regarding the construction of the Project in the floodplain. WVHDF has determined that Alternative 3, confirming all rehabilitation and new construction are equal to or greater than 2 feet above base flood elevation and compliance with the City of Charleston building requirements for activities in the 500-year floodplain, is the practicable alternative. Environmental files documenting compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988, are available for review either electronically or by U.S. mail. Please submit your request by email to [email protected] or U.S. mail to WVHDF, 5710 MacCorkle Ave., SE, Charleston, WV 25304. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by the WVHDF at the following address on or before May 19, 2026. WVHDF, 5710 MacCorkle Ave., SE, Charleston, WV 25304, Attention: Nathan E. Testman, Executive Director or via [email protected]. A full description of the project may also be reviewed either electronically or by U.S. mail at the previously listed addresses. Date: May 12, 2026 LC-458319 05-12;2026
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