The Federal Emergency Management Agency has cut off hazard mitigation grants and assistance to Indiana because the city of Kokomo, Ind., has refused to stop building a baseball stadium in a flood zone, according to a RTV6 Indianapolis report.
FEMA will withhold funding on $5.5 million worth of projects such as building tornado safe rooms in schools. It could force delays on other projects if Kokomo doesn’t comply with FEMA’s order to build the stadium elsewhere.
Some $50 million in hazard mitigation funded projects already committed to the state won't be affected. The state remains eligible for future disaster grants and the National Flood Insurance Program.
Kokomo officials say the federal government is overreaching its authority and that the stadium is the centerpiece of nearly $40 million in investments, job creation, and economic development. They contend that the project is compliant with deed restrictions placed on the 70 parcels involved in the project.
Related Stories
Concrete | Jun 13, 2016
American Concrete Institute releases new Guide to Shotcrete
Includes information on application procedures, testing.
Healthcare Facilities | Jun 10, 2016
Top 10 health technology hazards include some influenced by space design
ECRI Institute’s annual list includes operational and workflow issues.
Codes and Standards | Jun 9, 2016
Supreme Court ruling could aid developers on properties containing wetlands
Unanimous decision allows landowners to take regulatory decisions straight to court.
Green | Jun 8, 2016
TD Bank Group's renovated Toronto office is first WELL-Certified project under WELL v1
The newly renovated 25,000-sf space achieved gold-level status.
Concrete | Jun 7, 2016
Concrete Institute publishes document providing concrete curing guidance
New curing monitoring techniques included.
Energy | Jun 7, 2016
Energy modeling payback typically as short as one to two months
Energy modeling is a ‘no-brainer—like checking MPG on a car’
Green | Jun 2, 2016
USGBC offers new LEED pilot credit: Building Material Human Hazard and Exposure Assessment
For assessing human health-related exposure scenarios for construction products.
Resiliency | Jun 1, 2016
Federal agencies boost standards for more resilient construction
HUD, FEMA, GSA, Army Corps of Engineers make policy changes.
Green | May 31, 2016
Miami Beach requires developers to meet green standards or pay a fee
Applies to structures larger than 7,000 sf.
Codes and Standards | May 27, 2016
Better enforcement needed for successful implementation of energy efficiency policies
Commercial buildings the focus of recent code initiatives.