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Street reconstruction, curb cuts, removal of architectural barriers for accessibility needs, an exercise pad at Memorial Park, a restored band shell at Brandon Park, home buyer and improvement funds -- these things and more are among the projects to improve life in Williamsport that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding can help to financially support this year.
Community Development Block Grant funds are on their way into the City of Williamsport now that City Council approved the FY 2023 annual Action Plan for CDBG and Home Investment Partnership Funds as presented by August "Skip" Memmi, director of city community and economic development, and SEDA-Council of Government representatives.
The combined CDBG funds amount to $1,023,714, Memmi said.
Out of that, $397,614 will be used toward street reconstruction while $83,300 will be for removal of architectural barriers and curb cuts, he said.
The bandshell restoration project will get $156,300 as will a Memorial Park site for outdoor activity, he noted.
The city offices have architectural barriers that make them inaccessible to some people; $90,700 will be reserved for alleviating such issues.
Three entrances do not have push buttons for the doors to open. These areas are the third floor on Trade and Transit I, the second floor on Trade and Transit I, and the tax collector office.
Administration funds will be $141,500, he said.
The Home funds are a total of $307,845 with $172,061 for owner-occupied single-family rehabilitation; $105,000 for homebuyer assistance and $30,784 for administration.
The request will be submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The request went through two required hearings where officials said they received about 11 project suggestions and came up with the final recommendations for the approval that was given.
The projects that were selected were reviewed by the council. The projects were discussed in a prior economic revitalization committee meeting.
Bids will be received back from companies interested in the bandshell project imminently.
The outdoor exercise pad is to be located where there is a lot of foot traffic and in sight of individuals driving by to see it and think about using it.
The organization sponsor, the National Fitness Campaign, would put up $30,000 to $40,000 in cost of the facility and the balance would be paid in CDBG funds, Memmi said.
"I'm hoping we can have naming rights to save us some money on this," Councilwoman Bonnie Katz said.
Should the company not be able to come up with the partnership money, CDBG funds that were allocated for the exercise facility or for perhaps push button accessibility could be reallocated should the city offices not be in Trade and Transit I in the future. That information was confirmed through Memmi by a question from Councilwoman Liz Miele.
That would be done through the SEDA-COG assistance and this has been done in the last few years with substantial amendments approved by council, Memmi said.
HUD gives seven years to get projects done. It is more likely that the city will have its projects done and funds expanded within five years.
The federal department prefers municipalities to have the projects done within five years to provide a two-year cushion if needed.