12 - Authorization of TxCDBG Grant Application - Texas Capital Fund Main Street Program

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Item No. 12 TO: Mayor & City Council Grayson Path, City Manager FROM: Carla Easton, PE, Engineering & Community Development Director SUBJECT: 2020 TxCDBG MAIN STREET — GRANT APPLICATION DATE: August 24, 2020 BACKGROUND: The City is eligible to apply for grant opportunities from the Texas Capital Fund Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) - Main Street Program for an amount up to $500,000 to reconstruct infrastructure in downtown. This amount has increased from $250,000 in years past, with the city match staying the same at $75,000. The city has had great success with this program, and it would benefit the downtown to continue replacing sidewalks and infrastructure under through this sort of funding opportunity, which emphasizes the removal of blight in downtown areas. The comprehensive plan and the Downtown Visioning Plan prepared by the Toole Design Group in 2018 recommends a transformation of 1St Street SE to a walkable street with pedestrian amenities, lighting, and utility improvements from Lamar to Clarksville, with the intention of creating an outdoor venue space coordinated with surrounding vendors and businesses. This grant would provide funding for this important project, which would coincide with the current reconstruction/revitalization efforts happening to several privately owned buildings in the area. The proposed project will include as many of the improvements as affordable from the Toole Design Group Downtown Visioning Plan from Lamar to Clarksville, and will also replace the street and sidewalks from Clarksville to Kaufman. STATUS OF ISSUE: Staff is working with Resource Management & Consulting Company to prepare the grant application, which is due September 1, 2020. A resolution is required for the application. BUDGET: The city is committing to a grant match of $75,000, which is included in the 2021 budget. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the resolution of support for the 2020 TxCDBG Main Street grant application.