Wilson Avenue Buyouts Underway

The City of University City buying up homes from residents involved in the Wilson Avenue Flood Buyout program.

"We've closed on several of the properties on Wilson Avenue, and I expect to have all of the properties purchased by the middle of September," City Manager Lehman Walker told University City Patch. "Last week, I closed on seven. By the end of next week, I will have closed on another eight."

In total, the city has agreed to buy 26 homes that are situated in the floodplain.

The buyout process to begin in February, but was pushed back after the city learned it needed to conduct an environmental assessment as part of the process of pursuing a supplemental disaster grant. During the review, process recipients are restricted from acquiring property or expending any grant funds (including Federal Emergency Management Agency funds).

Once the city assumes ownership of the properties, the buildings will be removed or destroyed, and the land will be cleared.

Walker said the demolition process will start this fall.