Residents speak out against Westfield Boulevard flood plan

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A controversial flood wall is at the center of a debate in a north side community.

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers held a public hearing and open house Thursday night on a flood protection project that includes the last of three levees to be built along the White River.

Their proposal is to build a levee along Westfield Boulevard, between Butler University and North Capitol.

The current proposal does not include the community of Rocky Ripple

“If it doesn’t change, Rocky ripple will be swimming. It will be a health hazard. I don’t believe any community could put up a levee, knowing they’re blocking off and walling in a community of 700 residents, said Judy Mooney, a resident of Rocky Ripple.

Nearly 200 people showed up to the public hearing Thursday night. The majority spoke against the Westfield plan.

Butler University is also against the Westfield plan. Their campus engineer planned to attend the meeting. They’re concerned about Holcomb gardens and the impact the levee will have there.

But most at the meeting Thursday were from Rocky Ripple.

The Army Corps of Engineers says adding Rocky Ripple would cost $30-million dollars more.

“The cost of adding Rocky Ripple to the project would substantially exceed the economic benefits,” said Col. Luke Leonard with the Army Corps of Engineers.

“The bottom line is that the Army Corps of Engineers cannot construct the Rocky Ripple alternative. The most viable economic alternative is the Westfield Boulevard,” said Bonnie Jennings, US Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager.

The Butler-Tarkington neighborhood association has also come out against the Westfield plan, and many spoke at the meeting.

The Army Corps of Engineers will take public comment until September 28.