Live Oak weighs replacing John Hill Park building after $800,000 broadband grant

Parks Department staff told the City of Live Oak City Council that a Department of Commerce broadband grant of $800,000 will fund technology and program space for telehealth, workforce and education at the John Hill Park community building, and council members discussed whether to renovate the existing 75-year-old structure or replace it with a new building.

The park project drew attention because the grant requires program delivery tied to broadband access. "The three main elements of the scope of work were workforce, telehealth and education," Parks Department staff said during the presentation. Staff said the grant includes funding for technology but does not require a local match: "In this particular grant, there is no match required at all." The speaker added the grant carries program expectations for roughly the next five years.

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