City Won't Give Firm Timeline for Wilson Avenue Buyout; Homeowners Voice Frustration

The earliest date that University City staff expect to start buyout talks with property owners involved in the Wilson Avenue Flood Buyout is this summer, according to University City Director of Community Development Andrea Riganti.

Buyout talks were initially slated to begin in February, but were 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 FEMA funds). On March 14, the City learned  that it had been awarded $461,000 in grant money.

The average timeframe for the environmental review process is 60 to 90 days. The review will look for such things as possible endangered species. Riganti said the City will submit its environmental review document on March 31st. "That's when the 60 to 90 review period should began," she said.

After University City receives environmental clearance from the Department of Economic Development  it can proceed with the buyouts, said Riganti.

Residents at Thursday night's buyout update meeting at City Hall tried to press Riganti for a firm timeline but she refused to commit.

"I cannot provide you with any kind of time frame. I will not do that," she said. "I don’t want to provide you with any deadlines that we (University City) can’t meet." But she stressed that the City will proceed with the buyout. However, her comments did little to soothe one frustrated resident.

"But when? That's what the people want to know. They want a date. They want a time," said the woman. 

City Manager Lehman Walker cited the recent process for the supplemental grant money in not giving residents a firm timetable for buyouts. He said the state told University City that it would take 30 days - information the City shared with the public. In fact, it took several weeks longer than that.

"In retrospect we probably shouldn't have done that for the simple reason that we didn't  have any control over that timeframe," he said. "We were calling the state everyday after that initial 30 day period had expired because we had made a commitment based on a timeframe they had provided us."

Councilmember Lynn Ricci (Second Ward) said for her, the buyout process is "kind of on point." She said that when the City started the process in early 2009 residents were told it would take upwards of three years. She added "We're pushing it as hard as we can."

Residents expressed concern that the delay means they'll have to go through another flood season in their flood-prone homes.

"You all have the money. You're sitting on ten million dollars," said one resident who wouldn't give her name, referring to the amount in the City's General Reserve Fund. "We're getting tired of this. Why don't you all go ahead and buy us out...You guys just prolong it, prolong it and prolong it."

"I want to get on with my life, I can't" said an emotional Judy Baum, describing the state of limbo she is in. Her home is number six on the buyout list, but she said there is no comfort knowing she's in the first group of 15 homes that will be bought out. "It's total frustration," she said, about the City's lack of providing a solid buyout timeline. "I'm trying to take it a day at a time and I can't. I'm having trouble existing," she said as she choked up. "I just want to get out. I can't do anything. My hands are totally tied." 

Riganti tried hard to drive home the point that the City cannot proceed with the buyouts until it completes the environmental assessment, which is needed to receive the new Community Development Block Grant grant funds.  Walker echoed her comments. "We have to go through these steps in order to receive the money," he said.

The Rev. Willie Burn, whose home is one being bought by the City, seemed resolute about the situation. "We've got Jesus, that's all we can do. Our hope is in him." Nazaree Burns said the delay is "beyond frustrating." 

For those residents trying to acquire another house, Riganti said the State of Missouri State Emergency Management Agency or SEMA can provide them with a letter indicating that they are participating in the buyout. She said that letter can be brought to a bank or lending institution. Again, that did little to satisfy frustrated residents. "How can we afford two mortgages...I can't," said Baum.

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

According to University City's official website, in August of 2010 the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded a $3 million grant to University City to acquire 26 residents in the floodplain. The funding will account for 75% of the total project cost.  In March, 2011, the City received a $461,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Development to be used as a partial match for the buyout.  The remaining funds for the buyout will come from the City.