The Independence City Commission takes a major step in improving flood control near Whiskey Creek.
At last night's meeting, commissioners approved a significant land purchase in the northeast part of the city. The city has agreed to purchase 125 acres of land north of Oak Street between 13th and 21st streets at a cost of just over $1 million. The area lies along the banks of Whiskey Creek, an area well-known for flash flooding during heavy rains. City Manager Kelly Passauer says the city has been looking for ways to mitigate flooding in the area since the 2018 floods.
The study recommended the construction of a water-retention lake in the area to help prevent downstream flooding. Passauer says the city has been in negotiations with the land owners for some time.
Passauer added that the purchase will help the community on other ways, including creating an additional area for housing and extending existing street in the area, which would help decrease traffic congestion around the city's schools. Passauer expects significant funding to become available to support any street and infrastructure improvements that would support the schools thanks to an anticipated early payoff of bonds issued after the school district’s 2009 bond issue election for school improvements.
