Redevelopment staff updates grants, Shiloh demolition and Transform 386 homeowner recovery program

Miss Talbot, a redevelopment staff member, updated the Midtown Redevelopment Board on Aug. 12 about continuing public‑works projects, grant opportunities and recent actions related to Midtown redevelopment. She placed a Transform 386 homeowner-recovery pamphlet on members’ counters and said the most recent funding round is for hurricane Milton recovery; she advised residents to apply online and noted the program requires an email address and does not accept paper or walk-in applications. Talbot told the board that at the Aug. 6 City Commission meeting the commission approved demolition of a property at Shiloh that the city purchased several months earlier. She said staff plans to preserve the bell and the church’s cornerstone (to be turned over to Shiloh), remove two structures (the parsonage and the old church) and then issue a request for proposals (RFP) for redevelopment, with a possible response next year pending purchase-order processing and public‑works assistance. Talbot also described a Louisiana-based nonprofit program (SVP USA / Saint Bernard) that will provide roof, window and limited appliance repairs under a separate fund; she said the program coordinates with Transform 386. Board members asked whether Transform 386’s application was online-only (Talbot: yes) and about timelines; Talbot said the Transform 386 portal launched Aug. 1 or Aug. 2. Board members and public commenters also discussed Transform 386 and the related HUD-funded programs. A board member asked staff to request a follow-up presentation from Transform 386 leadership and to provide ZIP-code–level breakdowns as in the earlier briefing. Several board members and residents criticized the Transform 386 rollout and called for accountability; one board member asked staff to pursue Section 3 hiring commitments tied to HUD Community Development Block Grant funds and to provide accountability reports. Talbot said Midtown has reimbursable small grants available to help business owners with paint, signage and trash cans and that staff will follow up with Buck’s Gun Rack owner about application details. No formal Midtown board motions were taken on grants or demolition; Talbot said staff will return with details and an RFP timeline once purchase orders and public works scheduling are confirmed.