Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain

To: All interested Agencies (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Michigan State Housing and Development Authority (MSHDA), Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Water Resources Division (WRD) and the City of Lansing, Michigan.

This is to give notice that HUD under 24 CFR Part 50 has determined that the following proposed action under HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program is located in the 100-year and 500-year floodplains, and HUD will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands. The proposed project location is at 220 E. Kalamazoo Street in Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.  The extent of the Special Flood Hazard Areas was determined using FEMA National Emergency Flood Hazard Layer Map 26065C0131D effective 8/16/2011 and confirmed through an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey. The proposed project includes the demolition of the current (vacant) commercial building which is currently partially located within the 100-yr floodplain and the existing parking lot, and the construction of a new 4-story, approximately 20,406SF building containing 63 residential units and approximately 2,130SF of commercial space. The proposed project will provide 28 RAD Project-based Rental Assistance (PBRA) units, 28 project-based Voucher (PBV) units and 7 market rate rental units. The proposed building will be constructed in the western portion of the site, outside of the 100-yr floodplain; however, the northern portion of the proposed paved parking lot and the driveway off will be Cherry Street will be located within the 100-yr floodplain; the remainder will be developed with sidewalk or maintained as landscaped yard

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplain and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts within the floodplain. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in a floodplain it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by HUD at the following address on or before November 28, 2024: HUD Office of Recapitalization, Metcalfe Federal Building, 77 W. Jackson Blvd, Room 2301, Chicago, IL 60604, Attention: Ladrenna A. Figueroa, Branch Chief or via phone at (312) 913-8290. A full description of the project may be reviewed upon request from the HUD Office of Recapitalization at the address stated above. Comments may also be submitted via email at Ladrenna.A.Figueroa@hud.gov.

Date: November 13, 2024

CP#24-728