Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 29, 1995 TAG: 9506290125
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-15 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Greg Secrist, assistant town manager/engineer, said the town has stiff competition from 55 other applicants in Virginia seeking a slice of the $4 million grant pool available in the state this year.
It is not known if the grant will be affected by the budget-cutting atmosphere in Richmond and Washington.
Secrist said, even with the heavy competition, he feels good about the grant and believes Vinton has as good a chance as any of the other applicants.
The Town Council has given Secrist authority to apply for the grant, but the writing and formal filing of the application will be done by the Fifth Planning District Commission. The grant money, if it comes through, will be administered by the planning district but will be reserved for Vinton's project.
The town is seeking about $650,000 for flood abatement work along Tinker and Glade creeks, which intersect in the Midway area in the western section of town.
The work would include an effort to remove 12 houses from the flood plain along Glade Creek and install control valves on both creeks to prevent water from flowing back in times of heavy rain.
Secrist said back-flowing water is a major problem during flood conditions because several box culverts and storm drains are not large enough.
Valves to control backflow would be installed on a box culvert under the Norfolk Southern tracks near Tinker and Walnut avenues, Secrist said, and on three storm drains on Tinker Creek.
As for the removal of houses in the flood plain along Glade Creek, Secrist said they would be voluntary on the part of property owners.
``The town will offer them a fair market price for the properties,'' he said, ``but the owners can decide whether to accept or not.''
If the grant comes through, Vinton would contribute about $38,700 - or 6 percent - of the total cost. The Town Council has authorized an expenditure of as much as $50,000 for its share.
The main portion of the grant would come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which would contribute about $484,000 or about 75 percent of the cost.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Services would put up approximately $123,000 or about 19 percent.
Secrist said he believes this work is essential for the town because the project areas are flood prone.
``It is not a question of if we have another flood but when we have it,'' he said.
by CNB