TO: Urban Renewal Agency Board
THROUGH: Steve Powers, Executive Director
FROM: Kristin Retherford, Urban Development Director
SUBJECT:
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Riverfront Downtown Urban Renewal Area Strategic Project Grant Program
Ward(s): Ward 1
Board Member(s): Kaser
Neighborhood(s): CANDO
Result Area(s): Welcoming and Livable Community
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ISSUE:
Shall the Agency Board approve an additional allocation of $100,000 of Riverfront-Downtown Urban Renewal Area funds to the Strategic Project Grant Program and a reduction of the Strategic Project Grant Maximum amount from $50,000 to $30,000?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Approve an additional allocation of $100,000 of Riverfront-Downtown Urban Renewal Area (RDURA) funds to the Strategic Grant Program and a reduction of the Strategic Project Grant Maximum amount from $50,000 to $30,000.
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SUMMARY:
The Strategic Project Grant Program supports the goals of addressing homelessness within the RDURA. These grant funds can be utilized by property owners for safety and security projects for their building and/or property. Due to the high demand for Strategic Project Grant Program funds, an increase to the program budget and decrease in the maximum grant amount is proposed.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
A grant program is identified as an eligible project in Sections 1105 and 1108 in the RDURA Plan.
To date, a total of $275,000 has been allocated to the Strategic Project Grant Program.
Since February 2019, twelve projects have been funded with the Strategic Project Grant Program with an average grant amount of $21,000. The proposed reduction of the maximum grant amount from $50,000 to $30,000 will continue to cover project costs and expand funding for more grant requests. Attachment 1.
On August 22, 2019, the Downtown Advisory Board approved recommending the Agency Board support increased funding of $100,000 and maximum grant reduction to $30,000 for the Strategic Project Grant Program.
There will be no operational impacts if the Strategic Project Grant Program funding increase is approved.
If approved, the $100,000 would come from currently unallocated funds.
BACKGROUND:
On February 25, 2019, the Agency Board approved the Strategic Project Grant Program to support the goals of addressing homelessness within the Riverfront Downtown Urban Renewal Area by providing grant funds for building and property improvements that help with crime prevention, security, and safety. Eligible projects include fencing, trash/recycling enclosures, lighting, façade improvements, and security cameras.
The maximum grant amount approved per project in February 2019 was $50,000. An initial $100,000 of FY 2018-19 RDURA Capital Improvement Program Grant funds were allocated to support the Strategic Project Grant Program, and due to the interest in the program, on May 28, 2019, the Agency Board approved an additional $75,000. An additional $100,000 was allocated during the budget process for FY 2019-20. As of September 2019, a balance of $24,844 is available in the program.
Due to the limited amount of funds in this program, and level of interest in the funds, staff recommends increasing funding for the Strategic Project Grant Program by $100,000 and decreasing the maximum grant amount from $50,000 to $30,000.
Sheri Wahrgren
Downtown Revitalization Manager
Attachments: None