City, state and federal leaders met in Johnstown Thursday, to discuss Johnstown’s river walls.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting a flood plain study as part of a $250,000 federal grant. They’re looking at safety, structural and environmental factors, as well as the city’s flood mitigation plan, which haven’t been evaluated since the late 1930s.  

“We’re currently looking at a hydraulics and hydrology study that will allow us to better update some of the modeling and allow us to know better about flood plain management. From there, the other things we’d like to do is some ecosystem restoration as part of the project as well,” said Col. John Lloyd, a Commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The study is the first step in a larger plan to improve the city. Johnstown Mayor Frank Janakovic said improving the river walls not only ensures the safety of people living in the area, but it also ties into the goals the organization Visions 2025 has for the city’s future: economic and urban development and revitalization.

“First and foremost is the safety, but then looking at our rivers and having them become recreational, having them become available tourist attractions. For too long, Johnstown has not really used the rivers to our advantage and we hope to turn that around and they become a positive thing for our area,” said Mayor Janakovic.

A public informational session will be held on Wednesday, March 15th at 5:30 p.m. at the JAHA Heritage Discover center, where residents can talk about river issues and the city’s plans to improve the waterfront.