PHOENIX (August 1, 2018) – Mesa residents will soon benefit from a Flood Control District (FCD) of Maricopa County program that develops solutions to local flooding hazards. Today, through the Small Project Assistance Program (SPAP), FCD Board of Directors approved three drainage improvement projects to help reduce flooding in the following District 2, City of Mesa neighborhoods: Lazona and Broadway, Venture Out Drainage and 64th Street and Halifax.
Projects will involve the installation of concrete storm drain pipes and inlets to address documented historic flooding to 39 residences, neighboring properties and area roadways. Drainage will be improved and help increase roadway access to residents and first responders during storm events.
"As regional leaders, our first job is to optimize our resources to keep the community safe," said FCD Board Chairman Steve Chucri. "With the Small Project Assistance Program, we're able to do that by addressing flood risk, neighborhood by neighborhood, and partnering with cities such as Mesa to ensure that local issues get local solutions."
Under SPAP, FCD provides the lead municipality with 75 percent of construction costs, up to $250,000. The municipality is responsible for the remaining funding, as well as, all aspects of design, right-of-way acquisition, utilities relocation, construction management and other logistical work including post-construction maintenance. FCD is able to help municipalities with projects that address small-scale flooding that directly affect residential or commercial properties in Maricopa County and can be fixed by a simple solution with minimal administrative delay.
“The protection of our residents and neighborhoods is the priority,” said Mesa City Mayor John Giles. “The partnership and support from the Flood Control District through this program allows us to do that more effectively.”
Since SPAP was launched in 2009, FCD has approved $11.6 million of funding for 54 projects that were submitted and qualified for program funding. Cities that have requested and received benefit from the program include Avondale, Glendale, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, Wickenburg, Mesa, Gilbert and Guadalupe.
“The Flood Control District recognizes that localized flooding hazards exist where large structural solutions would be impractical,” said Michael Fulton, FCD Director. “The Small Project Assistance Program supports partnerships to advance localized solutions in these situations.”
For more information on how to reduce your risk, flood insurance and steps you can take to better prepare for storms, visit FCD.Maricopa.gov.
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The Flood Control District of Maricopa County reduces risk from flooding so that property damage and loss of life is minimized, economic development is supported in a safe and responsible manner and stormwater is recognized as a resource for the long-term benefit of the community and environment.