New FEMA Grant Would Save County $300K On New Duncanville Storm Shelter

DUNCANVILLE, AL — The Tuscaloosa County Commission will vote Wednesday on an updated grant submission for a new storm shelter in Duncanville that will provide substantial cost savings for county coffers.

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District 3 Commissioner Mark Nelson told Patch that the change in the grant program from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will allow the county to obtain additional funding due to inflationary increases in construction costs.

As Patch previously reported in September 2021, the commission unanimously approved the donation of land by Johnny Free — owner of GFC Construction — along with the donation of certain services and materials to construct a storm shelter and multi-use facility.

When the grant application was first approved almost two years ago, the parameters provided for a 25% match from Tuscaloosa County, which would have been approximately $499,453.58 on a construction budget of just under $2 million.

Nelson explained, however, that under the new grant, the county's match would be reduced to 10% — coming out to approximately $199,781.43.

"The location of the shelter will now be located directly fronting Highway 82, just past Maxwell Elementary, which will give excellent access for the citizens of the Duncanville area and will be managed by the Duncanville Volunteer Fire Department," Nelson told Patch. "The shelter will have a listed capacity of 309 people. We have made sure to include a kitchen area and restrooms. which will make it available for use by the community when it is not being used as a shelter."

Nelson has been the tip of the spear on the project since its conceptual phase and said the Duncanville community is long overdue for a storm shelter to serve its citizens.

"The County Commission was able to purchase the property last year and future plans include moving the Duncanville VFD from its present location adjacent to Maxwell Elementary and put it next to the proposed storm shelter fronting Highway 82," he said. "Part of the property purchased last year, which also fronts Monticello Drive across from Maxwell Elementary, will be used to add additional parking area for school use for up to 82 cars which is something that has been needed for many years."

Given the drastic savings, the measure is likely to pass without any opposition Wednesday when the Tuscaloosa County Commission holds its regular meeting at 9 a.m.

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