ECDA reports on housing rehab, demolition and grant activity; private security incentive funds near exhaustion

During the March 2 Community Development Committee meeting, ECDA staff provided a detailed departmental report covering construction and housing-rehab programs, demolition closeout, grant activity, and a small ARPA-funded private security incentive program.

Barbie Watson, presenting the ECDA report, said 25 construction programs are currently in progress and that the lead-abatement program had eight projects underway with two completions in February. Watson noted the HUD-funded healthy-homes grant is winding down; nine projects remain and staff will proceed with HUD closeout monitoring later this year.

Watson said the Fifth Avenue demolition project reached clearance and site closeout in February, including capping sewer lines and completing environmental requirements. Staff indicated they will pursue site-readiness steps and outreach to secure a developer for that parcel.

On shelter and procurement timelines, staff said a public bid opening for a shelter grant is scheduled for Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at the administration building; if acceptable bids arrive, staff hope to award contracts before the next council meeting.

The committee heard that the CDBG housing rehab pipeline includes seven projects in progress (the yearly goal is 14), and that an ARPA-funded rental rehab stream has funding to complete roughly 14 units with several intakes underway. Marina, the CDBG program manager, is overseeing drawdown submissions and monitoring for public-service agencies; staff expect increased drawdown activity before April deadlines.

Watson also reported the private security incentive program has about $4,800 remaining this fiscal year and that the program spent roughly $579 in February; staff encouraged alderpersons to promote the program to constituents if they want it continued in the next budgeting cycle.

Committee members asked whether the packet included addresses for land-bank lien-release requests and whether the interim land-bank director could present; staff said legal handles lien-release requests and agreed to invite the interim director (Mr. White) to a future meeting to explain the process.

The committee approved minutes and draw vouchers and then moved to the housing-counseling resolution (reported separately). The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.