By John Kiesewetter
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FAIRFIELD - Twenty-three flood-prone homes along Pleasant Run Creek will be purchased and demolished with a $2.5 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, it was announced Wednesday.

"This is great news, that some people who are struggling and lost money on their homes may reclaim some of their losses," said Judy Morgan, president of Fairfield Flood Victims 6/14, founded after the flood last June that damaged 100 homes.

But the people eligible for the buyout - the 23 property owners specified in the grant application - don't know who they are. City officials did not inform homeowners that their properties were on the list submitted last year for the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Competitive Grant, said David Bock, city public works director.

"Once we get more information, we will be scheduling a meeting with the people involved and explain to them how this is going to work," Bock said.

City Manager Art Pizzano said the city received a grant for $2,578,845, the full amount sought for acquisition and demolition of flood-prone structures. The city has promised to add $859,615, for a total of $3,438,460, Bock said.

Homes in the flood plain along Banker Drive, Crystal Drive, Bandelier Court, Sir Lancelot Court and other streets between Resor and Nilles roads will be eligible for the buyout, Pizzano said.

"It's a great deal for the people in the impacted area. It means there is some relief in sight for them," Pizzano said.

Homeowners will be offered fair market value after a new appraisal, Bock said. They do not have to sell, he said.

Two years ago, the city bought and tore down one flood-prone home on Sir Lancelot Lane with a $92,000 state grant.

Tami Todd, a vocal flood victims' activist who lives on Banker Drive, said she had faith in the city obtaining the federal funding.

The flood-victim advocates said the federal funds will not end their fight. Their group also includes flood victims in the Winton Hills subdivision, southwest of Meijer.

City Council is to hear a consultant's report in April on Pleasant Run Creek flood remedies. In the past two decades, the city has spent $10 million to build two retention basins and address flooding.

"This grant doesn't get the city off the hook," Todd said. "There are other areas besides Banker and Crystal, and our group will keep fighting for them."

E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer.com