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Harbor House shelter project receives $2 million state grant agreement; site-plan, easement and financing remain in progress
Summary
City staff told the committee that a $2 million state construction grant agreement for Harbor House's domestic abuse shelter was received the morning of Sept. 2. The project is in site-plan review, an easement for utilities is still being negotiated and fundraising and bank financing are underway; the project is behind original timelines.
City staff told the Community Development Committee on Sept. 2 that Harbor House's planned domestic-abuse shelter has a state construction grant of $2,000,000 and that the city received the grant agreement the morning of the meeting, but multiple preconstruction steps remain.
The update, provided during the committee meeting, said Harbor House is in site-plan review with the city's engineering and planning staff and that one required utility easement is still being negotiated. "We just received the grant agreement from the state this morning," a city staff member reported, and staff said they would be working with Harbor House to execute signatures and define administrative responsibilities among city staff.
Why it matters: The grant supports construction of an expanded shelter for victims of domestic violence. While the state funding is confirmed by the grant agreement, staff said Harbor House still faces a financing gap and must combine grant funding, local financing and private fundraising before construction can begin.
Staff described community fundraising efforts and local banking discussions to address the financing portion required by the grant terms. "They do have to finance portion of the construction as well. That was part of the terms of the grant with the state," a staff member said, adding that Harbor House has started a fundraising campaign and that a group of community organizations and local bankers are assisting.
Timeline and risks: Staff said the project has slipped behind earlier timelines. "We've had timelines upon timelines upon timelines and none of them have been met," a staff member said, adding that the committee previously expected the grant agreement earlier in the year and had hoped to have broken ground by now. City staff described the implementation challenge as a combination of site-plan review, easement negotiation and financing arrangements.
Next steps: Staff will continue to coordinate with Harbor House, planners and lenders, finalize site-plan review and return to the committee and council as required once construction timelines and funding gaps are firmed up.
