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Council approves $110,000 budget transfer for Pembroke Choice Neighborhoods early-action improvements
Summary
City Council voted 6-0 to authorize a transfer of funds to support an early-action placemaking and pedestrian-safety project within the Pembroke Choice Neighborhoods planning area, part of a HUD planning grant.
City Council on April 15 approved a $110,000 transfer from the city's recreation fee fund to support an early-action improvement project in the Pembroke Choice Neighborhoods planning area.
The transfer implements part of the city’s Choice Neighborhoods planning grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Laura Collins, director of community and economic development, said the city received a $500,000 planning grant from HUD and "HUD has asked that we invest a hundred and 50,000 of that grant into physical improvements in the district."
The council’s action moves $110,000 from recreation fees into the Choice Neighborhoods account to fund place-making elements and pedestrian-safety work around Steffco, Pembroke and Washington and improvements at a local green space identified in the plan as Ducko Park. Collins described the early-action project as demonstration work meant to show investment during the two-year planning period, including pathways, bus shelter improvements, public art and play elements.
Collins told council the Housing Authority has separately taken a step to authorize a preferred developer to advance the housing portion of the plan, which Collins said would allow resident-driven housing concepts to move toward design and capital planning. She said the planning grant also supports connecting residents to services and improving surrounding infrastructure.
Council members asked about conflicts of interest. The city solicitor advised a council member who serves on the housing authority board that she does not "stand to gain anything personally from this vote," and therefore need not recuse herself. The ordinance to transfer funds passed 6-0.
The early-action work is intended to be part of the broader Choice Neighborhoods process, which Collins said began in 2023 and will conclude the planning phase with an implementation strategy and developer selection steps underway.
Council and staff said the demonstration improvements are intended to reflect ideas gathered from resident engagement during the planning process and to provide visible near-term benefits while the larger redevelopment work moves forward.
