Lake City Council approves application for $1.1 million CDBG to repave MLK Jr. Street and replace sidewalks

The Lake City Council voted unanimously Monday to submit a $1,100,000 Community Development Block Grant application to the Florida Department of Commerce to repave about 0.6 miles of Martin Luther King Jr. Street and replace roughly 1,400 linear feet of sidewalk from Texas Avenue to Broadway Avenue.

Dakota Braun, the city’s grant specialist, told the council the application is required to apply for this year’s neighborhood revitalization funds. “This hearing is a requirement to apply for this year's Community Development Block Grant administered by the Florida Department of Commerce,” Braun said, and he summarized the project scope and budget for council and the public.

Braun presented the proposed budget as engineering and design at $234,000, road construction at $801,000 and sidewalks at $35,000. He said the corridor is a residential two‑lane road that provides primary access for nearby residents and supports emergency services and local commerce, and that the work would “directly address critical infrastructure needs, beautify the surroundings, and enhance the quality of life of the residents in the area.”

No members of the public signed up to speak on the item. Councilmember Carter moved to approve submitting the grant application; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll call vote: Carter — yes; Harris — yes; Young — yes; Jernigan — yes; Mayor Walker — yes.

Next steps: if the Florida Department of Commerce invites the city to proceed, the city will advance engineering and then a procurement process for construction contracts.

The application and staff presentation will be included in the council packet and the city will publish updates if the grant is awarded.