According to hostmadison, the city of Madison, the state of Wis., and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are partnering to build a storm shelter for the 540 residents of the Highland Manor Mobile Home Park on the southside of Madison. With an $1.18 million FEMA grant, the $1.52 million, 6,870 square foot shelter will withstand winds up to 250 mph, and will also serve as a community center. One man says he heads to the Wal Mart parking garage when a storm approaches. With the highest number of confirmed tornadoes and high wind thunderstorms of any county in the state, the safe house will have precast concrete walls, a reinforced membrane roof, and safety guards for the windows and doors. The city will invest another $85,000 to spruce up the interior of the building with tables and chairs and modest furnishings. The money will also fund a playground, a green space and half a basketball court. As MHProNews has learned, MHC owner Uniprop, of Birmingham, MI, which owns land lease communities from Nev. to Fla. to Vermont, favors the project.
