Title
National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grant Application for Choice Neighborhoods (Ordinance S-43927)
Description
This report requests authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to apply and enter into agreement(s) for up to $200,000 in grant funds from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) under the Our Town grant for arts engagement, cultural planning, and design of creative placemaking work in the Edison-Eastlake Choice Neighborhoods Community. Authorization is also requested for the City Treasurer to accept and the City Controller to disburse the grant funds over the life of the grant.
Report
Summary
The Housing Department is seeking to apply for a $200,000 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Our Town grant. If awarded, the Housing Department, in partnership with the Office of Arts and Culture and Xico, Inc., will utilize these grant funds to incorporate arts engagement, cultural planning, and creative placemaking to improve existing and/or new spaces that strategically reflect or shape the physical and social character of the Edison-Eastlake Choice Neighborhoods (CN) Community. In June 2016, the City was awarded a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) CN Planning and Action Grant to conduct a comprehensive neighborhood planning and community engagement process. Within the CN boundaries lie three public housing sites: Frank Luke Homes, A.L. Krohn Homes, and Sidney P. Osborn. The CN Grant focuses on creating a redevelopment plan for these three sites as well as a plan to catalyze critical neighborhood improvements, provide services for individuals and families, and improve outcomes for youth.
As learned through the Edison-Eastlake CN Community Resident Leadership Council and over 300 public housing resident surveys, neighborhood beautification was cited as a quality of life issue that is a priority to address. Integrating arts and cultural activities into comprehensive strategies will advance the goal of making the Edison-Eastlake CN Community a desirable place to live. Edison-Eastlake residents, businesses and community stakeholders will be invited to participate in the planning and design process to ensure the placemaking project and/or art implemented fully represents those that live in the community. If awarded, the NEA Our Town grant program will reach an underserved population, leveraging concurrent CN efforts with much needed neighborhood amenities.
The Office of Arts and Culture will provide technical assistance throughout the application process and future implementation of the grant project, if awarded. Xico, Inc. is a local non-profit, multi-disciplinary arts organization, created in 1975, with a vision to promote indigenous arts and culture through community-based arts programs.
Proposals are due no later than Sept. 25, 2017, with notification of final grant award in April 2018. The allowable project time period is up to two years, with a starting date no earlier than Aug. 1, 2018.
Financial Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund. A one-for-one match is required. The match will be comprised of in-kind services from partner agencies, the Housing Department, and other City departments. Match may also be available from funds designated for CN Planning and Action activities.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was heard at the Sustainability, Housing, Efficiency, and Neighborhoods Subcommittee on Sept. 19, 2017.
Location
Edison-Eastlake CN Community is bounded by 16th Street to the west, Interstate 10 to the north and east, and the Union Pacific Railroad to the south.
Council District: 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Managers Deanna Jonovich and Karen Peters, the Housing Department and the Office of Arts and Culture.