The residents of a Saint John neighbourhood plagued by constant flooding are being asked to consider relocating.

This Glen Falls street was flooded when the remnants of Hurricane Danny hit the city in August, 2009. (Submitted by username: Violetentity) Relocating Glen Falls on the city's east side would allow the area to return to its natural state as a wetland area, the City of Saint John says.

Mayor Ivan Court floated the idea in late May, and city residents have now heard from the city at a public meeting Thursday and through a one-page questionnaire that asks whether residents would give up their homes.

Floods have struck the area consistently for decades: A map from 150 years ago shows Glen Falls as a flood zone. And Elsie Wayne, the city's former mayor and a former Saint John MP, got into politics because she was angry about her Glen Falls home being flooded.

Tim Vickers, of the environmental group Atlantic Coastal Action Program, said the problem is only going to get worse. "Ten, 20 years from now, unfortunately, we see flooding that's occurring now getting more severe," he said.

The city says that even a partial solution to the neighbourhood's flooding problems would cost $50 million — almost half the city's annual budget. Relocation would be a less-expensive option.

Consensus needed

If city management determines there's a large enough consensus for relocation, they'll take the proposal to the higher levels of government.

Resident Stacey Morgan isn't sure whether she would take a relocation offer.

"I'd have to see what the offer is, and it would have to be pretty substantial for me to make a move at this point," she said.

Carol Powers said she would accept a move if the city can't stop the flooding. Her basement has been destroyed twice in recent years.

"Now I cannot rebuild my house because if we get another flood I'm not putting my money into it, because it's just like burning your money," she said.