OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT)-- A tough decision about an Omaha city park is moving forward after flooding threatened the historical artifacts.<\/p>\n
Freedom Park is southwest of Eppley Airfield. It spent the majority of 2019 underwater and it was hit hard in the 2011 flood too.<\/p>\n
There's a submarine, a minesweeper, and even a jet fighter at the park. The city wants to find a new home for these artifacts and other items, that's why it is looking into a study to see how to move everything.<\/p>\n
T0 move something of that magnitude takes a lot of coordination with a lot of different partners, said Brook Bench with Parks and Recreation. <\/p>\n
A WWII ship named the Hazard needs to be moved. It's the last minesweeper left in the United States. It's going to take a lot to move it. <\/p>\n
If we did move that minesweeper it would be such a huge project, it's going to take time and I don't think we would be able to get it done before spring, said Bench. <\/p>\n
On Tuesday the city council will be asked to hire a company that would do a mitigation study to see what it will entail moving these historical artifacts out of the flood plain, possibly to Levi Carter Park.<\/p>\n
The city is also working with FEMA. <\/p>\n
It's going to be a big-ticket item and we need to make sure its approved and help paid for, said Bench. <\/p>\n
Cold temperatures won't speed up the process but you have to wonder, is there a potential for more flooding come spring?<\/p>\n
It's a concern. It has been for the last few years, we will do what we can and as soon as we can, said Bench. <\/p>\n
Bench cleanup still needs to be done at the park and moving out of Freedom Park is the best option they have right now.<\/p>\n
The trend since 2011 has been the park seems it's been closed more than it's been open, said Bench. <\/p>\n
Np Dodge Park has also remained closed since the spring flood. The city says it's still considering options for the future of that park as well.<\/p>\n
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Freedom Park to possibly be moved to preserve WWII artifacts - WOWT<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT)-- A tough decision about an Omaha city park is moving forward after flooding threatened the historical artifacts Continue reading