Radcliffe renovation nears finish as ARPA, CDBG funds close out

Erica (Parks and Recreation director) told the Garden City Parks and Recreation Commission that work at the Radcliffe Center is in its final phase, with ADA bathroom renovations finished, three of four restroom areas open and multiple interior spaces reconfigured for new tenants and programs.

The update, given during the commission's July meeting, focused on completing projects funded by a $200,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and a Wayne County grant the director described as a $4,000,000 award with a $1,000,000 match. Erica said the CDBG-funded ADA bathroom work met a June 30 deadline and that the city received reimbursement the prior week. “Our intention is to spend it all. All,” Erica said, describing the timeline pressure on the larger Wayne County grant, which staff say must be spent by Oct. 31 and for which the county prefers final spending by Sept. 30 so leftover funds can be reallocated.

Why it matters: the Radcliffe Center houses community programs, renters and senior services; finishing renovations affects safety and access, program scheduling and the facility's ability to generate rental revenue to offset operating costs.

Most recent work and occupancy

Erica said the CDBG work included widening doors and adding an ADA stall and additional sinks in the women's restroom, and modernizing fixtures in the men's restroom. She said one restroom still awaits tile work; three of four sets of restrooms are open. The laundry room was relocated from the kitchen as part of a kitchen renovation and to meet Head Start's laundry needs, she said. The computer lab has been converted into a cardio/fitness room, and the old game room will become the relocated game room while the thrift store will move into a larger room in October.

The commission was shown photos of the renovated spaces. Erica said the city approved a lease at a recent council meeting for a tenant called It Takes a Village; that tenant will operate a children’s program called the Imagination Station and will occupy the cardio room, fitness room and a small meeting room. The commission also approved a project-management contract with All Phases (described by staff as a city-contracted project manager) to accelerate purchasing and contracting necessary to meet grant deadlines.

Remaining projects, contingency and timeline

Staff listed active scope items including the gym/auditorium floor, a community kitchen, relocation/expansion of the fitness room, completion of activity rooms, key fob distribution for renters, and exterior wayfinding signage. Erica said about $392,000 in reimbursement documentation is pending and that roughly $323,000 is already committed or in progress; she said about $76,000 remains uncommitted though some items are budgeted. She emphasized the time pressure: if invoices and proof of spending are not completed in time, the Wayne County grant will be closed and unused funds reallocated.

Future amenities and smaller priorities

If higher-priority items finish under budget, staff hope to add amenities such as murals, additional picnic tables, improved recycling signage, bike racks, a shower/storage room, and four sliding doors at the front entrance. The commission discussed plans for a relocated teen program (“Spaceport”) with after-school hours and a membership model, and Erica said staff plan to reopen some Spaceport hours when staffing and rent adjustments allow.

Staffing and operations

Erica repeatedly cautioned that staffing losses during the spring have constrained operations and that part-time staff are still adapting to new roles. She said the center’s new renters will bring additional rent revenue beginning in October and that the project-management contract is intended to help the city spend grant funds more quickly and efficiently.

Ending

Commissioners praised the visible progress at Radcliffe and noted the remaining time pressure related to grant deadlines. Erica said staff will continue to brief the commission as punch-list items and billing paperwork are completed.