FLOOD07547

• County: Statewide
• Community: Statewide
• Stream Name: All
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Economic Analysis of Floodproofing Analysis of a Small Commercial Buiding
• Date: 1/1/1979
• Prepared For: State of Colorado
• Prepared By: FEMA
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

Introduction

Research has been initiated by Sheaffer & Roland, Inc,
for the Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Office of Policy Development and Research, to evaluate,
systematically and from a national perspective, the
social, economic and environmental effects of floodplain
regulations,' One part of this research focuses on the
effects of the minimum flood plain management criteria
that have been developed for the National Flood Insur,
ance Program.2 Of particular interest for commercial
structures is the stipulation that once flood elevations
have been detennined and a community is participating
in the Flood Insurance Program new non-residential
construction in the special flood hazard area must be
protected from inundation to or above the level of the
base flood (the flood having a one percent chance of
being equalled or exceeded in any given year)3 This
flood proofing requirement can be met either by raising
on fill or columns or by equipping the structure with
watertight closures,

4

Research Objectives

The implications of these flood proofing requirements
are crucial to an evaluation of the effects of floodplain
regulations. An issue that raises particular concern
nationally is whether compliance with these require-
ments can be justified economically, At present, there is
a paucity of reliable information on the costs and benefits
of flood proofing with which to make such judgments, To
partially meet this need for information, the Department
of Housing and Urban Development has commissioned
this research to develop conceptual designs which meet
the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insur-
ance Program, and estimate costs and benefits for flood
proofing a small commercial structure in Jersey Shore,
Pennsylvania,

The specific requirements of the research are as follows:
The Contractor shall develop conceptual designs and
cost estimates for an elevated and a floodproofed struc,
ture which will meet Federal Insurance Administration
(FIA) performance requirements, These estimates shall
be compared with conventional construction practices.
The Contractor shall develop the conceptual designs
and cost estimates in accordance with the following
subtasks:
1, The Contractor shall prepare conceptual drawings
for a multipurpose commercial structure which will be
flood proofed against a flood level seven (7) feet above
the existing ground, Flood proofing shall be accom'
plished by using two approaches: elevation and build-
ing at grade and designing the structure to exclude
water and be capabie of withstanding the resulting
hydrostatic, hydrodynamic, and buoyant forces, The
building shall be designed for a lot in Jersey Shore,
Pennsylvania on the southwest corner of the intersec,
tion of Main and Allegheny Streets. The building shall
be suitable for commercial use and be compatible with
existing adjacent structures and local architecture,
Attractive entrances and display areas shall be pro-
vided for both of the above approaches, The structures
designed shall be economically competitive with con,
ventional construction if at all possible, Adequate con-
sultation with local officials will be required to accom-
plish this task,