Cobb receives federal grant for demolition

From September 2009, many Austell homes were under water from the 500-year flood. A new federal grant - combined with a Cobb County grant - will buy, demolish and remove three houses in South Cobb to change their property to deed-restricted green space. AJC file photo

From September 2009, many Austell homes were under water from the 500-year flood. A new federal grant - combined with a Cobb County grant - will buy, demolish and remove three houses in South Cobb to change their property to deed-restricted green space. AJC file photo

A federal grant of $441,365 was accepted by the Cobb County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 27 to buy, demolish and remove three houses that have been subject to repetitive flooding.

Cobb is required to contribute $147,122 to that amount for a total of $588,487, according to Cobb Water System Agency Director Steve McCullers in a Nov. 27 memo.

The properties included in this grant are 2921 Clay Road, Austell and 5715 and 5722 Glandor Drive, Mableton.

Once the houses are removed, the land will become deed-restricted green space.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency grant will be distributed to Cobb through the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.

Each of the affected homeowners has been contacted, signed an affidavit declaring their U.S. citizenship and signed a “Notice of Voluntary Interest” form to acknowledge this program is only voluntary by all concerned, McCullers said.

The Cobb Water System’s Capital Improvements Program Budget has funds available for Cobb’s local share.