Construction to help prevent flooding

OSHKOSH - Oshkosh is putting nearly four-million dollars toward a construction project to try to stop devastating flooding.

The project will also bring some temporary inconveniences to city hall.

Flood in Oshkosh is a sight many are familiar with.

"Last year when it rained really hard my street was completely flooded, cars were getting stuck," said Theresa Habenstreich.

"A lot of the properties down near the river in the Division Street watershed, you know, they've experienced it first-hand several times," explained James Rabe the Civil Engineering Supervisor for the city of Oshkosh.

Rabe told FOX 11 the city has a plan to stop flooding in that watershed.  The key is a large detention tank that would be built underneath city hall's parking lot.  The storm sewer would then bring water to the tank on its way to the river.

"It's got a small pipe outlet and a large pipe inlet.  So water flows in very quickly, is held and released at a slower rate, which reduces the flood elevation downstream," explained Rabe.

Miron Construction out of Neenah will handle the 3.9 million dollar project.  Rabe told us he doesn't know for sure exavctly how the plan will affect utility rates.  He said the city has several like it beginning over the next few years, so rates will likely rise eventually.

"The detention tank itself will be paid for by the storm water utility," said Rabe.

Construction is scheduled to start in March and finish in November.

"So the parking lot directly in front of city hall will be a big hole in the ground for most of the summer," said Rabe.

During construction parking is going to be severely limited.  So Rabe suggests people make modifications.  For example: put your bills in the mail instead of taking them to city hall.

"I usually like to go to the places and actually pay right in person," said Habenstreich.

For some, it may be a hassle, but citizens are trying to be optimistic about the outcome.

"Believe me, I hope it really works," said Habenstreich.

A new storm sewer will be built along Division Street starting next year.