PEABODY — Flooding in Peabody Square during heavy rains is a local fact of life city officials hope to make history with $365,000 in money to design flood barriers.
The state “municipal vulnerability grant” money will pay to advance designs for a 1,600-foot flood barrier paralleling the canal from 25 percent to 75 percent design status. The money will also pay to advance design work for the Riverwalk park and walk area along the canal.
One of Peabody’s historic waterways, the canal receives storm water runoff from a number of drainage sources across the city, said city assistant planning director Brendan Callahan.
During heavy rains, the canal contributes to flooding in low-lying Peabody Square, inundating streets, sidewalks and cellars.
A previous $224,000 grant helped the city conduct a detailed study of flood conditions extending from present conditions well into the mid-21st century. The results are sobering.
“Tidal flooding due to sea level rise is expected,” Callahan said, summarizing the study results.
“Mayor (Edward) Bettencourt’s dedication to address downtown flooding issues and develop the Riverwalk signals a commitment to the future welfare of the community and provides opportunities to create other synergies,” Callahan added.
The latest grant is part of a state-wide commitment by the Baker administration to begin dealing with climate change at the city and town level. A description of the Municipal Vulnerability (MVP) Grants talks about the state implementing a hazard mitigation and climate adaptation plan, beginning in September 2018, to forecast climate change impacts on Massachusetts and to start planning.
“The MVP Program pairs local leadership and knowledge with a significant investment of resources and funding from the Administration to address ongoing climate change impacts like sea level rise, inland flooding, storms and extreme temperatures,” Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said in a statement describing the program.
Along the North Canal, plans for a metal sheet-pile wall and a sloped bank designed to retard flood waters would run from Wallis Street by the post office to Howley Street along the south side of the canal.
Design work and construction will stretch well into 2021 and includes landscaping the Riverwalk to include areas for retaining water.
“This project will address critical flooding issues to contribute to localized improvements. But it is only one part of the picture,” Callahan said.
