SIOUX CITY -- The Sioux City Council approved an agreement with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Iowa Flood Mitigation Board for the Big Sioux River levee extension project.
The agreement, which was part of the council's consent agenda, will allow the city to accept up to $865,000 in Iowa Levee Improvement Funds for engineering design and construction activities.
Before the vote, Mayor Pro Tem Dan Moore asked for clarification on the project's timetable. City Engineer Gordon Phair confirmed that construction activities would start in 2027 and be completed in 2028.
"There's a long lead time for departments through the DNR and the Corps," Phair said. "The design is relatively easy. The construction is relatively cheap. It's all of the permitting afterwards."
The design and permitting process is expected to take nearly two years. The engineering design and construction of the new levee will be completed following the approval of the state funding, according to city documents.
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The project will extend the Big Sioux River left bank levee system north along River Drive to replace the area identified for a temporary sandbag levee during high water events to reduce flood risk in Riverside.
The total project is estimated to cost over $2.65 million and take a total of three years to complete from commencement to final FEMA map revisions.
The project required the purchase of three homes along River Drive, relocation of the homeowners and demolition of the homes with city funds.
Heavy rainfall across Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota filled the Big Sioux River and its tributaries, causing record flooding in June 2024. More than 100 homes were damaged in Riverside, and a train bridge over the Big Sioux River collapsed.
Promenade landscaping
The council, by approving its consent agenda, also authorized a $200,000 grant application to Missouri River Historical Development's Impact Match Grant Program for the purpose of removing permeable pavers and adding native plant landscaping.
In 2018, the Promenade Improvement Project was completed at 924 Fourth St., which contained bioswales, landscaping native plant boxes along with permeable pavers being laid on the south side of Fourth Street from Virginia to Jones streets.
"The pavers from the alley, and to the west to Jones Street are now in need of being repaired or replaced due to shifting, and erosion causing safety hazards," city documents stated.
The Environmental Advisory Board wants to remove the existing permeable pavers and replace them with landscaping to match the initial design of the Promenade using native plants. A rain garden will be located at the corner of Fourth and Jones streets and additional native landscaping will also be added to the north side of the street to match.
"I think that's an area that really needs to be replaced," Councilman Alex Watters said. "The sidewalk is somewhat failing and in dire shape along that area. So I think the improvement would be much needed."
Under the terms of the grant, the city will provide a 25% cash match, which will be paid out of the stormwater administrative funds.
The grant application closes on Aug. 31.
Agreement for Big Sioux River levee extension project on council agenda Long-discussed Big Sioux Pedestrian Bridge project will finally see completion Sioux City receives $865K for Big Sioux River levee extension project Unlimited Access to the Sioux City Journal
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