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Norristown council approves $1 million LSA grant application for Elmwood Park recreation center
Summary
Council authorized staff to apply to Pennsylvania DCED for $1,000,000 in Local Share Account funds to support phase 1 of the Elmwood Park Recreation Center project; staff said phase 1 is part of a six-phase $40 million master plan and that Montgomery County has already pledged $5 million.
Norristown council on Tuesday authorized city staff to submit a $1,000,000 application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Local Share Account (LSA) program to support phase 1 of the Elmwood Park Recreation Center project. The council approved the resolution by roll call; the motion carried with all present voting yes.
The grant request will be applied to phase 1 work for the Norristown community center and swimming pool. "We're here tonight, requesting your authorization for us to file an application to the DCED for $1,000,000 of the Local Share Account Grant Program," the project presenter said. He told council the Elmwood Park master plan recommends implementing the overall project in six phases and that the total estimated cost for the master plan is $40,000,000.
The presenter said the estimated budget for the community center and pool phase 1 is $11,000,814 and $455,000 (figures presented by staff). He also noted Montgomery County has earmarked $5,000,000 toward the project, which staff described as seed money that improves the city’s position for additional funding.
Staff described the LSA award as having no required local match and said the borough will continue to pursue other funding sources and discretionary funds to reach the phase 1 budget. Regarding schedule, staff said LSA awards can take time and estimated DCED announcements for the 2025 and 2026 cycles are likely toward the end of each year; staff estimated LSA funds typically have about a four-year window for use.
Discussion at the meeting focused on which components would be funded at the $1,000,000 level, how engineering would sequence the work, and how seed money from the county would be applied to later phases. Council members asked staff to confirm timelines and expiration/usage windows for awarded LSA funds before final acceptance. The council voted to authorize submission of the application; staff will proceed with the DCED application process.
Background: the Elmwood Park master site development plan was approved by council in July 2025 and staff said the master plan anticipates phased construction so the municipality can pursue multiple funding sources over time. The resolution authorizing the application is listed in the meeting packet as Resolution 25-70.
