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Council accepts $1M HUD ADA grant and $1M state parks grant to replace city playscapes
Summary
Warren City Council approved creation of special revenue funds to accept a $1,000,000 HUD community project funding grant for ADA compliance and a separate $1,000,000 Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity grant for parks and recreation playscape replacements.
Warren City Council voted July 22 to recognize two separate $1,000,000 grants that will fund ADA accessibility work and park playscape replacements across the city.
The first grant is a HUD Community Project Funding grant; the council approved a resolution to submit the CPF grant agreement and create a special revenue fund in the amount of $1,000,000 for ADA compliance improvements. The second is a $1,000,000 non-match grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity that the council authorized to be placed in a special fund for parks and recreation improvements, including replacement playscapes.
Parks and Recreation Director (Director) Casasanto described the ADA grant work for Helmadge Park: "The grant that that we're talking about now is gonna be an upgrade of the playscape removal and replacement of ADA compliant playscape at Helmadge Park." He said the project will remove multiple old playscapes and replace the central barn-structure playscape, add connections to the parking lot for ADA access, and that the expected cost for the improved community playscape design runs "about a a million dollar, $800,000 playscape, which is kind of the the going rate these days on these these playscapes." Casasanto said materials and surface systems ("pour and play" or engineered surfacing) drive costs but increase durability and accessibility.
City Controller Richard Fox clarified the two grant sources when council members asked: the HUD funds are for ADA compliance and are separate from the Parks and Recreation LEO grant, which will be handled as a reimbursement non-match grant.
Why it matters: the HUD-funded ADA work aims to improve access for residents with disabilities; the LEO parks grant will fund multiple playscape replacements and other park facility improvements. Council discussed locations including Helmadge Park, JC Park, Rentz Park, Altermat/Ultramat Park and Veterans Park (for additional amenities such as pickleball courts and a basketball court). Director Casasanto said recent ADA-compliant projects in the city include Lick Park and Veterans Park.
The council voted unanimously to approve both grant recognitions and the creation of the required special funds.
Next steps: staff will proceed with design, procurement and reimbursement-driven purchases; council asked for additional public information about park designs and project timelines.
