The City of Minot has approved a comprehensive, long-term recovery plan. See Plan
Six months since the Souris River`s crest through Minot, emotions are still raw in neighborhoods... Inside Minot City Hall elected officials approved a FEMA plan that aims to get the region back on its feet.
More than 150 pages in length with a completion date years from now, it`s a challenge, but Minot Mayor Curt Zimbelman says the investment is worth it. "A lot of times these kinda plans get set on the shelf and are never looked at again but I think this is the kinda plan that we can honestly take a good hard try at and accomplish," Zimbelman said after Monday`s City Council Meeting.
Building affordable housing, promoting economic development and building parks are all priorities of the plan. Now, the minds behind the final draft say it`s important that communities work quickly to get the smaller- more manageable projects completed first.
"A lot of the things we`ve worked on in previous disasters we start with the small things, work on those, get those accomplished, and then start working on biggest things. It`s kinda that confidence builder if you will," said FEMA representative Steve Greene.
The other reason planners put smaller things first: money. Big undertakings such as improving traffic along Burdick Expressway as well as a miles-long greenway will be expensive and while this plan doesn`t come with a check- it isn`t without suggestions.
Greene said, "We don`t guarantee funding but the one thing we can do is start asking our federal and state partners what programs they have out there that these communities can take advantage of."
Will it be expensive? Definitely; but Zimbelman says the cost is worth it, "Can`t let that hold you back. You have to have a vision and I think this sets us on a track for a better Minot at the end."
Nothing about this plan is set in stone, but Minot leaders hope this will be the bed rock of a healthier city.
Ward County Commissioners will discuss the plan Tuesday.
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