FLOOD BUYOUT OFFICE CLOSES

It took longer for the memories of rising floodwaters to fade than for Commerce residents to accept or decline property buyout offers that began four months ago.

The State Emergency Management Agency closed its flood buyout office last week even though some offers are still on the table. Residents didn't learn about the closing until it happened.

About 45 landowners in Commerce, a Mississippi River town in Scott County, accepted offers; only 13 declined after offers were made. No offers will be made after May 1, and all deals should be closed by May 31.

The office, operated by SEMA as part of the Community Buyout program, was inside the St. Paul United Methodist Church on Broadway Street.

"We couldn't justify keeping it open daily," said Buck Katt, the agency's assistant director.

Commerce and Cape Girardeau both received federal money for the voluntary buyout program. Commerce received $1,756,707 in federal money and $680,530 from the state.

Cape Girardeau received $742,000 for its purchase of homes in the Red Star and Smelterville areas.

Twenty-eight offers have been made on the 50 homes in the Cape Girardeau floodplain area, said Ken Eftink, development services coordinator for Cape Girardeau.

Participation in the buyout program has been good, he said, adding that closings are planned for next Thursday.

"We've had the appraisals done for about two months," he said. "The big problem has been getting everything back from the property owners and FEMA."

Although Commerce and parts of Cape Girardeau flood annually from spring rains and swollen riverbanks, this is the first time either community has approved a federal flood buyout offer. Congress accepted the offers in November 1995.

About 75 properties were eligible for the voluntary federal buyout program in Commerce, but owners of 19 expressed no interest, said Katt.

Residents with questions about their offers must now call long-distance to Perryville. Laurel Moldenhauer, grant administrator, can be reached at (573) 547-8302 in Perryville.

"Things are on hold now," Katt said, adding that several properties are caught up in paperwork.

About eight of the homeowners who accepted a buyout offer need some sort of legal document before any work can proceed. Six others are still awaiting a second appraisal, he said.

During a closing ceremony in February, many residents complained about discrepancies in the first and second property appraisals issued from the state. Only 12 property owners accepted an offer and closed on the deal then. Fourteen others are still awaiting a closing date.

"It's had its ups and downs," Katt said of the buyout process. "Some people think their property is worth more than we are willing to offer."

All buyout offers are based on the fair market value of the property, not on replacement costs or pre-flood values, he said.

Only homes in the 100-year floodplain were eligible for the buyout. Once an offer has been accepted and the deal finalized, the land becomes city property. Demolitions could begin in a month, Katt said.

The Commerce town board had hoped to meet with SEMA officials and discuss the demolition process. Federal regulations forbid any permanent structures from being built on buyout land; the land must remain open space.

"They just walked out and left them," said newly-elected Mayor Alan Wright. "We're responsible for them if anyone got hurt."