Nov. 7--CEDAR RAPIDS -- The city will receive $95.5 million from the federal government to buy out 852 flood-damaged properties. The state on Friday announced Cedar Rapids' share of $150 million in federal Community Development Block Grants for buyouts. Cedar Rapids' award will finance buyouts of 852 properties, according to Gov. Chet Culver's office.

Other block grants announced were:

--Iowa City will receive $11.7 million for 52 prop erties.

--Johnson County, $1.4 million for 18 properties.

--Coralville, $321,000 for three properties.

--Cedar County, $104,579 for two proper ties.

Another $70 million is available for buyouts, but cities must apply to the state for the money that is intended for properties outside the 100-year flood plain that are not safety hazards or beyond reasonable repair.

Cedar Rapids had asked for about $140 million in block-grant money, and will no doubt apply for more.

Greg Eyerly, city floodrecovery director, said he hoped the city could have some of the buyout money in hand as early as next month. The city has established a buyout process, which some property owners have begun.

The block grant funds are part of a $516.7 million award to the state that was first announced in June by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Cedar Rapids also has received $7.4 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to buy out 117 properties close to the river to create a greenway.

-- Comments: (319) 398-8312 or rick.smith@gazcomm.com

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