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Local officials approved a downtown flood-control upgrade on Tuesday following severe spring storms in the area. The project aims to reduce future flood risks and protect businesses, city engineers said.

The $4.3 million project, approved unanimously by the City Council, will focus on upgrading the existing stormwater drainage system along Main Street and adjacent downtown blocks, city engineers confirmed. The improvements include installing larger-capacity storm drains, reinforcing riverbank levees, and adding flood barriers near critical commercial properties, according to a city engineering report presented at Tuesday’s meeting.

“Our models indicate that the new system will reduce flood risk by up to 70 percent during severe storms similar to those experienced this spring,” Lopez said.

City Engineer Maria Lopez said the upgrades are designed to handle rainfall events exceeding the region’s historical maximums, which have increased in frequency due to climate variability.

The decision follows a series of flood incidents in March and April that caused temporary closures of several downtown businesses and disrupted traffic on Main Street. The city’s emergency management office reported that at least 15 properties experienced basement flooding, with estimated damages exceeding $1.2 million, according to records obtained from the city’s Department of Emergency Services.

Business owners expressed support for the project during public comment sessions. Jennifer Kim, owner of Kim’s Booksellers on 4th Avenue, said the flooding had forced her store to close for three days in April, resulting in significant lost revenue. “This upgrade is critical for protecting our livelihoods,” Kim said.

Funding for the project will come from a combination of local government funds and a recent state grant awarded by the Department of Environmental Protection. The $1.5 million state grant was secured through the city’s application in the State Flood Mitigation Program, city officials confirmed. The remaining $2.8 million will be allocated from the city’s capital improvement budget for fiscal year 2024-2025.

Construction is scheduled to begin in late summer and is expected to last approximately 10 months, with completion planned for next spring, according to the city’s project timeline. The city has committed to minimizing disruptions by coordinating work during off-peak hours and providing advance notice to affected businesses and residents.

Mayor Thomas Greene emphasized the importance of proactive infrastructure investment in a statement released after the council meeting. “Protecting our downtown area is vital for economic resilience and public safety,” Greene said. “This project reflects our commitment to adapting to changing weather patterns and safeguarding our community.”

The city’s flood-control system was last upgraded in 2008, according to municipal infrastructure records. Since then, increased urban development and changes in precipitation patterns have contributed to greater flood vulnerability, experts noted. The city’s planning department has been monitoring these trends and recommended the current upgrades in a report submitted earlier this year.

Environmental groups have also welcomed the initiative, highlighting the project’s integration of green infrastructure elements such as permeable pavement and rain gardens designed to improve stormwater absorption. The local chapter of the Clean Water Alliance issued a statement praising the city’s efforts to combine engineering solutions with environmental sustainability.

Officials noted that the project aligns with broader regional efforts to enhance flood resilience following several high-profile flood events across the state this spring. The State Emergency Management Agency reported that over 20 communities experienced significant flooding in March and April, prompting increased funding and technical support for local mitigation projects.

City officials plan to hold informational sessions for residents and business owners in the coming weeks to discuss construction impacts and flood preparedness measures. The city’s emergency management office will continue monitoring weather forecasts closely during the construction period and coordinate response efforts as needed.

The flood-control upgrade represents one component of the city’s long-term resilience strategy, which includes plans to update zoning regulations, improve early warning systems, and expand public education on flood risks. Officials said these measures are intended to reduce the overall vulnerability of the community to extreme weather events anticipated to become more frequent in the coming decades.