People who have been concerned for many years about the stability of Via de las Olas, especially the supporting bluff between Swarthmore and Friends St., received some unexpected good news Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security”’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a $2.6 million Public Assistance grant to the Los Angeles Department of Public Works for necessary repairs to Via de las Olas for damages incurred following the storms of December 27-January 11. ”’In our commitment to keeping communities safe from mud flows, floods and landslides, we awarded this grant to repair Via de las Olas Highway,”’ Federal Coordinating Officer David Fukutomi said in a press release. The total amount of the project is $3.4 million, with the state paying 18.75 percent and the City of L.A. contributing the remaining 6.25 percent. On February 4, at the request of Governor Schwarzenegger, President Bush declared Los Angeles County eligible for public and individual assistance for damages that occurred during the storms. The weather caused roadway subsoil to become super-saturated, resulting in a loss of lateral support for 500 feet of Via de las Olas. According to Fukutomi, in order to protect against similar damages, a soldier-pile wall will be constructed downslope and guard rails will be installed along the damaged portion of the roadway. ”’The more than $637,000 in state funding approved for repairs to Via de las Olas Highway, combined with the federal reimbursements announced today, will help ease some of the burden the storms have placed on the City”’s budget by reducing its share of eligible costs to 6.25 percent,”’ said Henry Renteria, Director of the Governor”’s Office of Emergency Services. ”’This is a great first step,”’ said Regina McConahay, a Via de las Olas resident who has been spearheading a neighborhood campaign for emergency action by the City since February. ”’I called FEMA and requested funding following a Community Council meeting,”’ McConahay told the Palisadian-Post. ”’I also contacted Congressman Waxman”’s office at the advice of my daughter, Hailey, who successfully petitioned him to allocate 1994 earthquake funds for sewer repair of our street, and Fran Diamond, who has a relationship with Congressman Waxman”’s office. ”’I want to stress this is a group effort. Via de las Olas neighbors have been resolute in their determination to consistently support restoration of our street. And Louise Rishoff of Assemblywoman Fran Pavley”’s office has been enormously helpful in strategic advice. Rob Glushon, a professional in community land-use issues advised us to alert Public Works Commissioner Ron Low, who was tremendously responsive, and the City of Los Angeles Engineers have been as helpful as possible.”’ However, as McConahay warned: ”’This is a first step only and will take us only to pre-disaster conditions. One of our neighbors is conducting an empirical study to determine what long-term mitigation must take place.”’ Fran Diamond and her husband Roger were in Mexico when they heard about FEMA”’s grant in an e-mail from McConahay. Fran wrote back: ”’I am reading this in Oaxaca, Mexico, and cannnot tell you all how thrilled I am by the news.”’
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