The city is expecting word on its state emergency disaster declaration, which should be received Wednesday.

Once that designation is received the city will set up a disaster assistance center at the Jo Story Senior Center on Jackson Street, City Manager Joseph Scherer said at this evening’s city council work session.

The center would include both state and federal teams, Scherer said,

The city itself received a half million dollars in damages from heavy rains on August 25, a rain event that is now being classified by city engineers as a 1,000-year rain, the city manager said.

The biggest damage was the collapse of Franklin Street, where repairs are now ahead of the one-month projection.

Scherer said, however, damage to the parks and recreation facilities will not be covered under the anticipated disaster proclamation, including damage to Kirkwood Adams Community Center and the Hodgestown Daycare.

Chaloner Recreation Center has opened up for basketball play although the vehicle traffic bridge remains closed until a state inspection scheduled for Wednesday morning is completed. The center should be reopened by the end of the week.

Planning and Development Director Kelly Lasky said the federal Small Business Administration was looking at a threshold of 25 houses damaged. “They found 32 and felt comfortable they had enough.”

Lasky said when the assistance center is set up there will be several different assistance options available.

“The intent is to be one-stop shopping,” Scherer said.

Councilwoman Carol Cowen said she was pleased with the city’s response. “Thank you to the city’s employees. I saw a lot of city cars and trucks rushing around.”