COLLINGSWOOD, N.J. --Congressman Rob Andrews (D-Haddon Heights) today joined with Mayor Jim Maley, Collingswood Commissioners, and local and state officials to announce that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has granted his request for $2.3 million dollars to purchase flood damaged homes along Richey Ave.  The federal share, along with a local match of 25% ($774,795) will bring the total project funding to $3,099,179 to purchase 30 homes along the 100 block of Richey Ave to begin some time in May.

“The long nightmare for the residents of Richey Avenue will soon be brought to an end,” said Andrews.   “I want to sincerely thank Mayor Jim Maley and Commissioners Lou Cappelli and Joan Leonard for their diligence through out this process who worked with State Officials and my office to make sure the residents of Richey Ave received the help they needed.”

These homes will be purchased at a fair price and then demolished to turn Richey Avenue into a green space. Because the parcel of land would be open space, free of any structure, it would also serve as a water retention area for the run off from area roads and parking lots.   Additionally, planners at the New Jersey Department of Transportation, aided by a $ 6 million grant from 1998 federal legislation sponsored by Congressman Andrews, have begun work to fix the RT 130 and surrounding roads to remove the circle there and put an end to the flooding that causes traffic snarl-ups for area commuters.

This plan will not just benefit the residents of Richey Ave.  The general public will also benefit from this plan, as it will save taxpayers’ for clean up, emergency services and shelter for homeowners every time this area floods.  Estimates have shown that State, County and local governments expend approximately $5000 on Police, Fire, EMS and clean up costs each time this area floods and it is estimated that they spent between $15-20,000 as a result of Hurricane Floyd.