First Post-Irene Plan Set in Flood Ravaged Vermont Town

Enlarge image

Credit Ryan Delaney/WAMC

The federal government is going to contribute $950,000 as part of a plan to build 27 units of affordable housing in a Vermont state office building in Waterbury made unusable by flooding from Tropical Storm Irene.

Governor Peter Shumlin and U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy on Friday announced the grant for the $6 million project on the building that fronts on Main Street.

The plan for the building known as Ladd Hall is the first concrete step in the rehabilitation of the Waterbury complex that was largely abandoned after it was damaged by the 2011 flood.

A portion of the building was constructed in the 1890s. An addition was added in the 1950s. Prior to Irene the building was used as state offices.

It's hoped construction can begin by year's end.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.