Sep. 2--New Albany is aiding the state in its efforts to eliminate drainage problems in the Linden Meadows subdivision.

Work at the housing development was stopped this summer by order of the Indiana Housing Community Development Authority, or IHCDA. The state body loaned money to the New Albany Community Housing Development Organization and is a lien holder on loans for the project.

But blighted conditions led to the development being halted, with only a couple of the approximately 25 houses having been purchased. John Rosenbarger, director of public facilities projects for the city, said standing water in the basements of some of the houses was attributed to lack of grading, a relatively inexpensive choir required for most developments.

Rosenbarger said the city -- which had only provided a little funding and help with property acquisition for Linden Meadows -- is aiding IHCDA in seeding straw around the development along with other upgrades to help the properties drain.

"We're helping the state rectify some issues out there," Rosenbarger told the Board of Public Works and Safety during a Tuesday meeting. "There have been some pretty good improvements made in the last few weeks."

Rosenbarger appeared before the board to ask for police assistance in dealing with ATVs.

He said a group of people, who he believes likely live in the neighborhood, have been driving some kind of go-carts or four-wheelers around the perimeter of the development, stirring up dust and threatening the work that's been accomplished in recent weeks.

Dirt clouds became so massive from the riding that the fire department was called to the scene last week, as a neighbor thought one of the houses were on fire, Rosenbarger added.

He believes extra patrols could limit the riding.

City awaiting word from FEMA

New Albany could get a decision from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, on whether Floyd County will receive individual assistance for the Aug. 4 flood "any day now", said Matt Denison, president of the board of public works.

State and federal officials toured Southern Indiana last week to assess damage to commercial and residential properties. Local officials have said it will be a close call as to whether Floyd and the other seven counties declared emergency areas will get individual assistance.

As for the public aid side, Dennison said New Albany has filed its application, as FEMA representatives are expected to be back in the city today to review those numbers, which include overtime costs and damage to roads and other infrastructure.

"On the public side of things, we're doing everything possible," Dennison said.

-----

To see more of The Evening News and The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspapers, go to http://www.news-tribune.net.

Copyright (c) 2009, The Evening News and the Tribune, Jeffersonville, Ind.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.