City Council approved an ordinance (O-17-14) this month to acquire one of three flood-prone residential properties on West Grand Avenue with the help of state and federal funding.

The city will acquire 194 W. Grand Ave. through the state’s Blue Acres program, which is specifically targeted toward willing sellers of flood-prone properties. The state set aside $12 million in 2007 and $24 million in 2009 as part of the Green Acres program.

The governing body introduced the ordinance June 11 and gave final approval at its July 14, following a public hearing where there were no comments by the public or council members.

The city also closed on 182 W. Grand Ave. (Block 161, Lot 37) in September, acquiring it for $147,800. When the city first began acquisition proceedings on 182 and 188 W. Grand Ave. two years ago, the former was budgeted for $167,500 and the latter for $180,000, for a total $347,500, with another $80,000 each for demolition and engineering costs. The final sale prices are pending environmental action and bank approval. The three properties paid a total of about $20,000 in property taxes last year but eventually will come off the tax rolls.