Contact:
Courtney Johnson
Mayor, City of Carver
cell: 612.702.7703
cjohnson@cityofcarver.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Carver receives $6M in bonding for Levee Improvement Project
CARVER, Minn. (May 26, 2023) – On May 22, the Minnesota State Legislature passed a $2.6B Bonding Bill, with support from Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen, Sen. Julia Coleman and Rep. Jim Nash. The bill includes $6M for the City of Carver’s Levee Improvement Project. With these funds, the city has now secured a total of $8.8 million in funding for the Levee improvement Project, which is estimated to cost $12 million to complete.
The City of Carver’s levee was constructed following the devastating floods in 1965 and was removed from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Levee Safety Program in 2016 due to documented deficiencies. The levee requires upgrades to modern standards to increase safety and to protect Carver’s historic downtown from the Minnesota River during floods.
“In a spring where we’ve already seen significant flooding in Carver twice, this money will make the Levee Improvement Project, which is something the City has been working on for decades, pass the threshold where we can finally begin construction,” said Mayor Courtney Johnson. “I am thrilled the City of Carver has received this money to help repair our vital piece of infrastructure!”
This is the largest amount of money the City of Carver has received so far for the Levee Improvement Project. To date, the city has received $2.5M from congressionally directed spending, a $150,000 Flood Mitigation Grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR), and a $150,000 grant from the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD).
“I was pleased to help secure the much needed funds to make the Carver Levee Improvement Project a reality,” said Rep. Jim Nash (R – Waconia). “I’ve heard from so many residents and business owners who are fearful the existing levee will be compromised and that businesses and lives could be lost. With this funding, a durable levee will be in place and provide for the safety of Carver for many years to come.”
The end goal of Carver’s Levee Improvement Project is for the levee to be certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This will result in 61 properties being removed from the floodplain, property owners will be able to invest in, and make improvements to their properties, and property owners will no longer be required to carry flood insurance. Design work for the Levee Improvement Project is currently underway and the City of Carver continues to pursue outside funding opportunities that will allow for additional phases of construction.
For more information about Carver’s Levee Improvement Project, visit www.carverlevee.com
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