Title
Allocate Federal Community Development Block Grant Funding for Choice Neighborhoods Projects (Ordinance S-51759) - District 8
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to allocate U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding up to $5.79 million for Edison-Eastlake Community (EEC) Choice Neighborhoods projects and $100,000 for project(s) to be located in the Marcos de Niza-Grant Park Choice Neighborhoods community, and to take all necessary actions and execute all documents as needed for these projects. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Report
Summary
The Housing Department is seeking approval for an allocation of up to $5.79 million in CDBG funds to cover costs associated with the EEC Choice Neighborhoods Park improvement projects to expand and provide additional amenities for Edison Park and to create a new Linear Park along 19th Street south of Villa Street, adjacent to the new housing development. These projects are expected to bring much needed amenities to the community including new youth sports fields, a skate plaza, fitness equipment, walking paths, a healing garden, shade and additional landscaping and trees for heat mitigation and open green space. The estimated total cost for construction of these park improvements is $13.2 million. Other sources of funding include HUD Choice Neighborhoods funds as well as other City funds.
The Housing Department is also seeking approval for an allocation of $100,000 to be used in the Marcos de Niza-Grant Park Choice Neighborhoods community for an early action project to be planned and implemented during the community’s neighborhood planning process funded in part by a HUD Choice Neighborhoods Planning grant. The residents within the Marcos de Niza-Grant Park neighborhood will choose the desired early action project as part of the planning process.
Financial Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding is available in the Neighborhood Services Department’s CDBG program.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
On March 6, 2024, through Ordinance S-50652, City Council authorized submission of a Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant application to HUD for the Marcos de Niza public housing and surrounding community.
On January 24, 2024, City Council authorized an application to HUD for a Choice Neighborhoods Supplemental Implementation Grant for the EEC (Ordinance S-50501).
On December 13, 2023, via Ordinance S-50414, City Council approved entering into a contract with The Liou Choice, LLC, to provide planning and coordination services in connection with the development of a neighborhood revitalization plan and preparation of a Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant application for Marcos de Niza and surrounding community.
On December 14, 2022, City Council authorized implementing additional Choice Neighborhoods Program resources, initiatives, and program amendments via Ordinance S-49244.
On October 4, 2017, through Ordinance S-43959, the City Council authorized applying for and implementing a $30 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant for the EEC, that also included approval to apply for and accept grants and to expend matching funds, in-kind and other funding sources to support and implement the Grant which included $1.5 million in CDBG funds.
Location
Edison-Eastlake Community - bounded by the I-10 Freeway on the north and east, 16th Street on the west, and the Union Pacific Railroad on the south.
Council District: 8
Marcos de Niza-Grant Park Community - bounded by Lincoln Street on the north, Central Avenue on the east, 7th Avenue on the west and I-17 Freeway on the south.
Council District: 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Managers Gina Montes and Alan Stephenson and the Housing and Neighborhood Services departments.