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KC Water Celebrates Groundbreaking on the Swope Park Industrial Area Flood Risk Reduction Project

Posted on November 4, 2019

(Kansas City, MO) – KC Water kicked off the official start of the Swope Park Industrial Area Flood Risk Reduction Project Friday, November 1st with a ceremonial groundbreaking.

Colonel Bill Hannan Jr., Kansas City District Director of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City Councilmembers Ryana Parks-Shaw and Lee Barnes Jr. and business owner Charlie Livers, President of Livers Bronze joined KC Water Director Terry Leeds in breaking ground on the new flood reduction wall.

“There have been a lot of people before me who have gotten the project to this point,” said Terry Godard, KC Water Project Engineer. “It’s going to be a ring levee that’s going to go around the entire Swope Industrial Park Area to protect it from flooding.  There will be a combination of actual flood walls and earthen levees.”

The area near 75th and Cleveland has been prone to severe flooding for years. In 2017, employees were evacuated and rescued by boat when the Blue River overflowed its banks. This flood reduction system will help minimize flooding and protect businesses.

“It can be a complex project but these are the kinds of projects that I really like because one of the great things about the Kansas City district is we get to serve the community and offer these projects that are going to help businesses and people out,” said Col. Hannan.

The total project will be completed in 2023. The final phase is fully funded. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has appropriated $23 million for this phase. Stormwater GOKC bonds will pay for the remaining $9 million.

For more information contact Heather Frierson, KC Water Media Relations Coordinator, at heather.frierson@kcmo.org 816-513-0280, cell 816-674-0211.

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KC Water maintains and operates water treatment and distribution systems, stormwater management systems, and wastewater collection and treatment systems for residential and business customers in Kansas City and for wholesale customers in the Kansas City area.  KC Water is primarily funded by fees charged to customers based on their use or impacts on the three utility systems.

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