Riverside to seek CDBG funds to demolish deteriorated house at 1514 Phyllis and ready parcel for infill

City staff asked council to approve submission of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application to demolish a deteriorated structure at 1514 Phyllis and remove three adjacent concrete pads to create a shovel-ready infill parcel.

Grants coordinator Nigha said the house has failing siding, broken glass and rot and that demolition plus concrete removal would produce a larger contiguous parcel close to the Air Force Museum and Gate B that could support multi-family or several single-family infill units. Staff reported $7,500 already invested in predevelopment and proposed additional local match to strengthen the county-administered CDBG application. The application deadline is May 15.

Council moved and seconded for staff to submit the application and provide the proposed local match; the motion passed by voice vote. If awarded, staff said the demolition would proceed after grant approval and appropriate compliance steps, and the cleared parcel would be held for future redevelopment.

The city emphasized that compliance and HUD reporting would be required for any CDBG-funded demolition and that the county reviews projects submitted by cities for funding eligibility and service-area targeting.