Connellsville’s application for a COVID-19-related Community Development Block Grant program has been amended to increase the monetary request.
At a Connellsville Redevelopment Authority board meeting this week, Executive Director Michael Edwards said the original $500,000 grant request is now $662,000.
Edwards said he cannot remember any time the city has received a larger one-year CDBG grant.
If awarded, the money would be used for major improvements at 12th Street Park.
The project would feature a splash pad play area, 50-space parking lot, basketball court improvements, new DEK hockey facility fencing, bleachers and new sidewalks.
It would include a 500-square-foot restroom facility that complies with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations and a 20-foot by 50-foot pavilion.
Edwards said $500,000 is the minimum grant request under the special program.
Based on rising costs since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, which administers the CDBG program, allowed grant requests to be increased, Edwards said.
Engineer Kerry Bell of Widmer Engineering designed the project and recalculated the cost.
While the state was awarded $51 million under the COVID-related program, timing has become a problem, Edwards said.
Under CDBG program rules, the deadline to apply was in August, and money must be spent by June 2023.
Edwards said several Pennsylvania agencies have asked HUD to extend the contract now to allow time to complete projects and avoid loss of the federal dollars.
An extension would allow projects get under way with assurance grants would be awarded.
Edwards said HUD has not shown willingness to do that now, indicating it will look into the request closer to the spending deadline.
CDBG grants must benefit low- to moderate-income residents. Based on Connellsville’s poverty rate, the entire city is eligible for broad-ranging projects under the federal program.
The CDBG program is administered in Pennsylvania by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
In Connellsville, the redevelopment authority administers the program and city council chooses projects. Final approval must come from the DCED.
In another CDBG matter, Edwards told the board that city council was expected to approve the 2022 regular CDBG project proposal.
That happened Tuesday at a city council meeting.
The city’s 2022 allocation is $308,063, the major portion for $223,000 in improvements at Woodruff Park.
If approved, the project will entail ball field dugouts; LED lighting throughout; new fencing and restrooms; and basketball court replacement, including poles and hoops.
In addition, $29,920 will go to code enforcement and $55,143 for administration.
In other business, the authority board agreed to accept the former Fayette EMS building at 305 S. Arch St., pending determination of sale by city council.
City Council is accepting proposals for the building, which it received at no cost from the Connellsville Municipal Authority.
As part of a $23.4 million wastewater treatment system upgrade, the municipal authority purchased the building from Fayette EMS to make way for a pump station on an adjacent parcel.
Had the city sold the building, a competitive-bidding process would be required, Edwards said.
The redevelopment authority does not face that requirement, and because of that city council can choose a buyer that best benefits the city and its downtown business district.
Edwards said the city will receive proceeds from the sale, minus any associated costs.
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