SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — The City of Sioux Falls is starting the process to remove or demolish homes in the Tomar Park area that flooded last March.
The City says it hopes to turn the area back into green space.
The buyout program is voluntary.
The City wants to remove the homes from the flood-prone area.
Below is the news release from the City of Sioux Falls.
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Sioux Falls Planning and Development Services will be continuing its efforts to prevent flooding in the Tomar Park neighborhood through its voluntary buyout program.
In 2019, the City purchased eight homes after the City Council approved $1 million to purchase the properties. Three homes were donated to the South East Development Foundation for relocation, and the remaining five homes are scheduled for demolition on Friday, February 21, 2020.
G&M Services will complete an environmental abatement before Runge Enterprises begins demolition. Habitat for Humanity will tour the homes prior to demolition and salvage any usable building materials for resale.
“After the 2019 flood, the City is committed to helping homeowners in this neighborhood who move out of the floodplain by offering the fair-market value for their homes,” City Housing Manager Chellee Unruh said. “Our goal is to convert this area back into green space.”
The neighborhood is located south of Tomar Park near Interstate 229 and Minnesota Avenue. In 2019, floodwaters damaged dozens of homes in the area, which led to a voluntary buyout program for flooded property owners.
The City is working with property owners in the neighborhood to purchase their properties in the coming years in order to remove them from the flood-prone area.
