Committee moves Southside Community Center into public facilities category; reviews multiple public-service proposals

The Get Together Urban Renewal Agencies Neighborhood Investments Committee voted to recommend that the Southside Community Center’s proposal be moved from the public services category into the public facilities category, a change that would make the project eligible for a larger pool of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

Committee members said the Southside proposal — a multi-phase building project the applicants described as approximately $2 million in total scope — includes many capital and facility elements that fit the public facilities rules (rooftop solar, electrical relocation, adaptive interior work and similar items). Staff and committee members asked for additional budget detail and documentation of which outside funding sources are secured and which remain pending before final allocation decisions.

During discussion staff and at least one applicant spreadsheet indicated pledged or reported support including $250,000 from Senator Webb’s office, $200,000 from the city, $60,000 from the Park Foundation, and $25,000 from Cornell-affiliated sources; committee members asked staff to request commitment letters or clearer line-item…