NEWS

January 15, 2009
Council eyes purchasing flood barriers

For Burlington residents, memories of floodwater submerging the city's riverfront and sections of the downtown are a reminder of the city's proximity to the Mississippi River.

In response to record flooding in June, the Burlington City Council has given its tentative approval to the purchase of portable flood barriers to protect city-owned property along the riverfront. The issue was discussed at a work session Monday.

The cost of roughly 7,500 collapsible wire mesh barriers, including shipping and erecting concrete bases, is about $250,000.

That cost goes up by about $66,000 when the purchase of 5,500 tons of sand to fill the barriers, which are braced by steel fencing is factored in.

If purchased, the barriers will be situated along the city's riverfront from the Port of Burlington to the Market Street, according to Public Works Director Ron Knoke.

The barriers also will be used to fortify the Port building, Memorial Auditorium, water treatment plant, wastewater facility and the Market Street Lift station.

When not in use, the barriers will be stored at the auditorium.

"If you do this, there will still be problems that you will have to deal with. Businesses are going to be pumping water out of their basements, and we will need to pump that water over the barriers," Knoke said.

Councilman Matt Murray said the city should contact business owners affected by flooding to gauge interest in purchasing their own barriers.

Front Street businesses erected a 42-inch-tall flood wall constructed with concrete parking barriers and sand in response to the June flooding.

The makeshift barrier built by volunteers and inmates from the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison stretched from the U.S. 34 off-ramp to Valley Street.

"I think we should extend that opportunity to businesses impact by flooding. If we can add their order to ours, we will all get a better deal," Murray said.

Any flood barriers purchased will be funded as part of a planned $4.5 million bond issuance.

If OK'd by the council next week, the two-year bond anticipation notes will also be used to fund street projects and equipment replacement this year and next. By 2011, the city will take out a 10-year loan.

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