2/10/93
By: Brien Murphy
Courier-Post Staff Writer

Hannibal's sometimes praised, sometimes maligned floodwall became operational in late 1992, providing the historic downtown district with flood protection for the first time.

Supporters point to its potential use in keeping the Mighty Mississippi River where it belongs and out of downtown businesses. Critics say it costs too much, voters didn't want it twice and besides, it blocks the view of the river.

Love it or hate it, the $8 million floodwall is practically complete, with only the beautification stage left. That stage will turn the mounds of dirt and mud into grass-covered public vistas.

The levee became operational in November with the practice installation of gates at four intersections two gates at Broadway, and one each on Main, Hill and Center streets.

The levee stretches from Bridge Street south to Collier Street, and then west to South Fourth Street. The city is providing about 25 percent of the cost of the project, with money split among downtown property owners, the Mark Twain Home Board, the Hannibal Visitors and Convention Bureau, the Board of Public Works and the city's general fund.

This spring, work should begin in earnest on the beautification portion of the project planting trees and grass, building benches and wheelchair ramps and generally sprucing up the levee.

Plans for beautification call for planting trees and shrubs on or near the floodwall on the city side, including flowering crabtrees; erecting planters to be filled with flowers; and steps and ramps on the sides so people may reach the public vistas.

Two vistas will be built one between Broadway and Center Street, and one between North and Hill streets. The vistas will be 16 feet wide on top of the levee, and will allow people to watch the river.

Former Main Street Program board president Jerry Adkins said the completion of the floodwall should mean more investment for downtown by both existing and new businesses.

"People will be more willing to invest in property," Adkins, who owns Haydon Tru-Value Hardware at 207 N. Main St., said. "People leave their floors as is, they don't install carpeting and make due. Now that protection is here, we'll see more interior redecorating."

Adkins also sees an increased interest in investing downtown with flood protection.

"As recently as four years ago, our 200 block (of North Main Street) had five vacant buildings," he said. "Now, all of them are occupied." South Main Street should also benefit because that is where vacant properties exist, Adkins said.

Despite the benefits of flood protection, the cost of the project remains. Original estimates were $5.7 million. Current estimates put the price at $7.99 million.

Former mayor Richard Schwartz, a candidate for the April 6 election, is using the floodwall in his campaign. Schwartz predicted in the late 1980s that the city's cost would not be as low as the $825,000 proposed for a bond issue. Instead, he predicted the city's cost would be closer to $1.5 million.

He turned out to be right. The city's cost, through money or land, is about $1.4 million.

Schwartz, in his campaign literature, calls the floodwall a "fiscal disaster."

And the costs do not end with the completion of construction. The city will have to rent cranes and pay people each time it wants to install the gates. City crews will install them at least once a year to practice, and installing all five gates takes about 10 people working 12 hours. The same is true for taking out the gates after flood waters receed.

The city also will have to maintain the streets near the gates so they can support a 35-ton crane.

Parks and Recreation Department workers will be in charge of maintaining the floodwall's appearance. With the grass and trees, mowing and disposing of yard waste will be the primary activity, as well as cleaning litter and painting benches and planters.

Parks and Recreation Director Doug Kliewer said he does not yet know how much it will cost the department to maintain the floodwall, but he expects to have to buy some yard equipment and supplies.

"With those steep walls, (riding mowers) won't work," Kliewer said.