La Vista making offer on homes

Jeff Modlin has to routinely fill a huge sinkhole in the backyard of one of his La Vista rental properties. He typically has to use at least six wheelbarrows of dirt.

The eroding Thompson Creek has made maintenance at three of his four La Vista rental homes frustrating at times. He's even lost a fence to the creek.

That could soon change.

The city plans to purchase and demolish up to 24 homes, including three of Modlin's properties, to fix and maintain the creek.

A $2.1 million federal grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover about 75 percent of the erosion-control project's $2.7 million costs.

The City of La Vista and the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District plan to cover the remaining 25 percent, with each providing $340,155.

Mitch Beaumont, La Vista community relations coordinator, said he wants to emphasize to residents that the city isn't just going to go in and take their homes.

“There's a misconception out there,” he said. “The key point is we are not taking the properties. We want these residents to know it's a voluntary program. In order for the federal grant money to be used, residents have to agree to sell.”

Modlin said he's willing to sell his properties if the price is right.

Beaumont said for the most part, the owners of the 24 homes in the plan are willing to sell.

“The city would not have gone forward if the majority were unwilling,” he said. “We want to be fair and open.”

Each property will get two appraisals from separate firms before an acquisition firm handles negotiations with the homeowners. The City Council in the next few months will decide on an appraisal firm and an acquisition firm.

Thompson Creek runs from the Keystone Trail to the La Vista Falls Golf Course. The problem area is between 72nd and 84th Streets.

Over the years, the banks along the creek east of 84th Street have collapsed, claiming fences, utility poles and outbuildings.

“To improve the long-term stabilization of the creek, crews need as much continuous access while affecting the least amount of homeowners,” Beaumont said. “This plan does that.”

The project, expected to take a little more than two years, will repair the erosion damage, relocate power lines and allow for future construction to protect homes that remain.

The city plans to meet with affected property owners this spring, then appraise the homes of those interested in selling.

Officials want to sign purchase agreements by the fall, with demolition to begin in 2011.

“It's definitely a sensitive issue,” Beaumont said. “We are dealing with people's homes and a lot of personal memories.

“We want to assure residents it's going to be a fair process.”

Contact the writer:

444-1336, leia.mendoza@owh.com

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