CITY OF WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA
FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC REVIEW OF A PROPOSED
ACTIVITY IN A 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN
To: All Interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals
This is to give final notice that the City of Wheeling’s Economic and Community Development Department 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 and Protection of Wetlands. These activities are funded under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for FY 2019, #B-19-MC- 54-0005. The following streets are located in a floodplain: Georgia Street (N. Wabash to N. Front), Chapline Street (33rd to 37th), Bow Street (National Road to Peninsula Street), 32nd Street (Jacob to McCullough), and Zane Street (S. Broadway to Virginia). The Citywide Playground that is located in a floodplain is Belle Isle Park. These projects are located within Zone AE (area of special flood hazard with water surface elevations determined) of the Ohio River, as indicated on Flood Insurance Map (FIRM) Panel Nos. 54069C0053D,
54069C0054D, and 54069C0061D. These project locations are located in the floodplain and floodway, and will not affect the floodplain nor the floodway, change its water flow, nor obstruct the water course.
ACTIVITIES
DESCRIPTION:
The following projects are subject to the eight (8) step decision making process in 24 CFR 55.20:
*CD-19-3 Street Reconstruction – CDBG funds will be used for milling and paving of CDBG eligible streets. These include the following streets: E. 4th Street (Wilbert to Kenny); Pike Street (Wheeling Hill to Main Street); Georgia Street (N. Wabash to N. Front); Zane Street (S. Broadway to Virginia); Wetzel (45th to 47th); 32nd Street (Jacob to McCullough); Chapline Street (33rd to 37th); and Bow Street (National Road to Peninsula Street). The following FY 2019 streets are located in a floodplain: Georgia Street, Chapline Street, Bow Street, 32nd Street, and Zane Street. The project budget is $385,141.71, utilizing FY 2019 CDBG funding.
*CD-19-14 Citywide Playgrounds – Belle Isle and Grandview – CDBG funds will be used for playground improvements at Belle Isle and Grandview playgrounds. The Belle Isle Playground is located in the flood plain. Grandview Playground is not located in the flood plain. New playground equipment will be installed at Belle Isle. This project is located at: Belle Isle Park, North Front Street, Wheeling WV, 26003. The project budget is $90,000.00, utilizing FY 2019 CDBG funding.
All of these proposed projects are located in the City of Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia.
COMMENTS ON FLOODPLAIN ACTIVITIES:
The City of Wheeling Economic and Community Development Department considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values:
These proposed projects are all related to the existing built environment. Existing streets and park need to be reconstructed. Many portions of the City of Wheeling are located in the 100-year floodplain. Therefore, the City must address the need to revitalize its existing neighborhoods. The City cannot neglect these areas, even though they are located in the 100-year floodplain. All mitigation measures will be taken and none of these activities will affect the floodplain nor the floodway, change its water flow, or obstruct the water course. The City of Wheeling acknowledges compliance with state and local floodplain protection procedures.
The City of Wheeling has reevaluated the alternatives to building in the floodplain and has determined that it has no practicable alternative. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988 are available for public inspection, review and copying upon request at the times and location delineated in the last paragraph of this notice for receipt of comments.
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. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate impacts. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts 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 City of Wheeling’s Economic and Community Development Department, City-County Building, Room 305, 1500 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV 26003; Attn: Nancy Prager, Director, Department of Economic and Community Development; or oral comments may be made by calling 304-234-3701, by August 16, 2019, or seven (7) days from the date of the publication of this notice. A full description of the project and Flood Insurance Rate Map may also be reviewed from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday at the 1500 Chapline Street, Room 305, Wheeling, WV 26003.
Robert Herron,
City Manager
City of Wheeling
City-County Building, Room 305
1500 Chapline Street
Wheeling, West Virginia, 26003
Date: August 9, 2019
Int. Aug. 9, 2019