Frustrated Residents Ask City Council For Status on Wilson Avenue Buyout

A frustrated Nazaree and Willie Burns asked the City Council Monday night for a status update on the .

"Today is the 28th, this is the deadline that you all promised us," said Nazaree Burns. "You asked for one month." 

The home of the longtime University City resident's is slated to be bought under the buyout program. In  late January, just days before homeowners were set to begin talks with the City about acquiring their homes, they learned the buyout time-line would be pushed back a month or more.

The development stemmed from a nearly one million dollar supplemental disaster grant the city had applied for through the Missouri Department of Economic Development. At a community meeting on January 27th, City Manager Lehman Walker said he learned at the same time as the council that to be in the running for the new grant the City would be required to perform an environmental assessment. This could take 60 to 90 days. During that time, recipients were restricted from acquiring property or expending any grant funds (including FEMA funds).

"At the time we applied for the grant we were not aware that there would be any implications or that the process would affect the timing," said Councilmember Lynn Ricci at the January 27th meeting. She has been a longtime champion of the Wilson Avenue Buyout program.

But the Burns' frustration could not be soothed Monday night. "Last night, we were in fear that we were not going to make it until today to find out if we got the grant," said Nazaree Burns referring to Sunday night's powerful storms and rain.

"We have been waiting. We've been patient. We've submitted all the paperwork you've asked for," Nazaree Burns said. "We need to know tonight. Our lives are on hold."

In response, University City Mayor Shelley Welsch said the council was not ready to give an answer Monday night. "We have to get the word from the federal government," said Mayor Welsch. "We will talk with Mr. Walker tomorrow."

"It's always tomorrow Ms. Welsch," said Nazaree Burns. "What is a promise? Do we need to get a dictionary to define a promise." 

The city manager has stressed that pursuing the new grant in no way means the City will not buy the 26 homes. He said the possibility of helping additional people in the floodplain and putting more money into the City's coffers made the delay worthwhile. 

In September of 2008, flash flooding of the River Des Peres severely damaged over 100 U City residences. The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded U City a $3 million grant to acquire 26 properties in the floodplain.