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Grafius Run project moves to next stage

More than 100 surveys of city residents impacted by Grafius Run floods will help state Department of Environmental Protection officials determine if damage has been costly enough to build a flood-mitigation project.

The surveys asked for damage estimates from homeowners going back 10 years, said Mark Benner, city engineer.

It was an initial step to get the financial information to the department, which will decide if the cost-to-benefit ratio is worth building a flood-mitigation project, Benner said, adding it’s in the state’s hands.

Benner and others in city streets and parks department spent about six months on and off to distribute the surveys and hand-delivering them door-to-door, speaking with affected residents.

Residents filled them out, putting down any damage they suffered from the flooding or groundwater seepage of Grafius Run, which flows into the city from Loyalsock Township, he said.

The next stage will be force engineers with DEP to look at potential ways to reduce flood risks for neighborhoods in the Vallamont section of the city, Benner said.

Jason Fitzgerald, president of Penn Strategies Inc., the city economic development consulting firm, said he thinks the overall damage exceeded $3.5 million, which would be worth a flood mitigation project, he added.

The firm helped residents suffering from a flood-prone culvert in Ashley in Luzerne County, Fitzgerald said.

It is estimated hard rains may take more of a toll in the future, with more developments north of the city, he said.

City Council and the administration should be given an update next month, he said.

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