City parks board to submit $5 million Ready 2.0 grant for gorge-area improvements

At the April 9 meeting staff told the Richmond Parks and Recreation Board that the city will submit an application to the Ready 2.0 arts-and-culture grant program seeking $5 million to fund three gorge-area projects: the Staret Plaza, an amphitheater and venue improvements.

The board was shown a memo and told the council already approved the grant submission. Staff highlighted $10,575,000 in leverage dollars already committed to the gorge projects and described the proposals as "shovel ready," which staff said strengthens the application.

"Realistically, I think it's up to the region... but I feel we have a good shot. We have a lot of leverage dollars," a staff presenter told the board, adding the application will be judged regionally against other arts and cultural projects.

Board members asked about odds and timeline; staff said design phases are well advanced (phase-two designs near 90% and phase-three moving forward) and that the grant would fund projects not yet fully covered by existing commitments. Staff will follow up with council and report on the application progress.