Gladstone highlights three completed neighborhood home-repair grants, plans projects for fiscal 2026

Allen Napoli, Community Development Administrator for Gladstone, told the City Council on Aug. 25 that the city completed three projects funded through the first-year Neighborhood Grant program and has additional applicants lined up for fiscal 2026. "We received close to 40 applications...out of that, we had several that were good applicants. We picked 3 of them for that grant," Napoli said. The three completed projects included a chimney flashing repair at 6307 North Florida Avenue that stopped water intrusion into a homeowner's garage, a repaired and repainted screened porch and entry steps at a home on North Woodland Avenue, and exterior painting and minor dry-rot repairs at a house and shed on Northeast 506th Street, Napoli said. He said all three projects were completed before the end of the city's 2025 budget year. The program received initial funding of $25,000 from the city's annual budget; Napoli reported the grant paid just under $17,000 for the three projects. He said additional funds are available from the local nonprofit Neighbors Helping Your Neighbors, which he said is "probably pushing just south of $30,000" and has been used to supplement the city allocation. "The 25,000 comes from our budget money," Napoli said. Napoli told council members the city had held a number of additional qualified applicants from last year and already has three residents lined up for work this year; he said he will begin soliciting bids and preparing scopes in the coming weeks. Council members praised Napoli for creating the application process, conducting eligibility reviews, and following up with applicants. No formal council action was taken on the floor beyond questions and remarks; Napoli said staff will pursue the projects and return with any needed contract or procurement items if required.