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A long-delayed buyout of 26 properties in University City that were severely damaged by flash flooding in 2008 has gotten a final level of approval.
The state Department of Economic Development on Thursday granted the city an environmental release to use federal Community Development Block Grant dollars for the buyout. Those grants are the final piece of a $4 million funding puzzle that also includes reserve funds from the city and $3 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
City officials have met with 21 of the 26 property owners. Their homes were inundated in September 2008 when the remnants of Hurricane Ike pushed the River Des Peres out of its banks, killing two people.
The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District faces a class-action lawsuit over the flooding.
