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Bridgeport council votes to request state help persuading FEMA to resume reviews of HMGP use-mod applications
Summary
The council approved sending a letter to Governor Shapiro and state senators asking them to press FEMA to resume reviewing Hazard Mitigation Grant Program use-modification applications so the borough can develop grant-funded projects including the Front Street Pocket Park.
Bridgeport Borough Council voted April 14 to send a letter to Governor Josh Shapiro and state senators asking for help getting the Federal Emergency Management Agency to resume reviewing FEMA use-modification applications tied to Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) parcels.
Keith, a borough staff member who briefed council, told members that after the flooding tied to Hurricane Ida the borough was awarded multiple HMGP grants to acquire properties in the most flood-affected areas, including parcels near Front, Second and Third streets. He said those parcels must remain permanently preserved open space under HMGP rules but certain limited redevelopment—parks or porous-paved parking—can be allowed if FEMA approves a use modification.
"Due to the funding cuts that have been exacted upon FEMA ... there is simply nobody at the Philadelphia regional office at FEMA that is even reviewing these use of modification applications at this time," Keith said. "It's really just a plea for help from our ... higher elected officials here in Pennsylvania to hopefully do what they can to get some money back into FEMA."
Council members agreed to send the letter after a brief chance for questions and public comment; the motion carried. Staff said the delay at FEMA risks missing grant deadlines and could make the borough unable to use awarded grants to develop projects such as the Front Street Pocket Park.
Why it matters: The borough has already secured grant awards it says are necessary to build flood-resilient public spaces; without FEMA action the borough may be unable to meet grant conditions and complete planned projects.
What comes next: Staff will finalize and send the letter to the named state officials. The council did not set a formal follow-up deadline in the meeting record.
