Goshen City redevelopment commission authorizes request for additional federal funds for Blackport Drive

The Goshen City Redevelopment Commission on a 5–0 vote authorized staff to apply for additional federal participation to cover a recent increase in the Blackport Drive rehabilitation estimate.

Redevelopment staff told commissioners the design process and updated geotechnical information pushed the project estimate up by about $328,000 to a current total near $2.377 million. "We are here today as staff requesting from the redevelopment commission authorization to apply to [the regional planning authority] for an additional 80% funding allocation for the amount that the project cost has increased since spring," Becky, redevelopment staff, said during the presentation.

The staff request sought only permission to apply; project funding is not yet guaranteed. Staff said the city’s local share would remain roughly 20% of the total if the full 80% match is awarded, meaning a local contribution in the neighborhood of $500,000. Commissioners heard that walking away from the federal project now could trigger repayment of preliminary engineering costs already incurred (staff estimated roughly $342,000–$348,000 would need to be repaid if the federal project were cancelled and grants rebounded).

Caitlyn, the regional transportation director in attendance, described how the regional program reviews additional funding requests and the timing of awards. She reminded the commission the call-for-projects opens on a two-year cycle and that program pots and fiscal-year limits constrain how much can be shifted among competing projects.

Commissioners pressed staff on scope, lifecycle and risk: engineering staff said the March-approved scope remains a minor structural overlay with targeted deep patching and culvert work and that the selected treatment is expected to add roughly 15 years of service life if conditions are as anticipated, though additional repairs may be needed once crews expose underlying pavement. After public comment and discussion the commission voted to move forward with the authorization to seek the additional federal funds.

The next step is for staff to complete the application to the regional planning authority and report back; if federal participation is not awarded or if bids exceed estimates, the commission will review any additional funding requests before any further commitment of local funds.