Crestview council reallocates $56,835 in CDBG COVID funds for Main Street arts and learning center

The Crestview City Council voted 5-0 to approve an amendment to the city's 2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plan that reallocates $56,835 in COVID-response CDBG funds toward leasing and bringing a Main Street building up to code for use as an arts and STEM learning center.

City staff told the council the city originally received $96,835 in CDBG-CV (COVID) funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and used about $40,000 on a small-business grant program during the pandemic. "Every penny of it," Councilman Hayes said when asked whether the amendment would deplete the remaining COVID funds. Staff said the amendment would make available $56,835 of previously unspent money for renovation work.

Staff said the Main Street site is inside the city's low-to-moderate-income (LMI) core and is within walking distance of four LMI areas. The presenter said roughly 35 percent of residents in those surrounding LMI areas are families with children and estimated about 3,500 families with children live in those areas. Staff framed the center as a way to address long-term educational impacts of the pandemic by offering tutoring, literacy and library programs, arts and keyboard classes, and STEM and life-skills activities.

On the scope of work, staff described bringing the building into a code-compliant condition, including electrical, plumbing and mechanical work. "Our biggest concern, at the moment, is the electrical," the presenter said, noting the building is older and that providing outlets and safe circuits for multiple devices would be a major part of the renovation cost. Staff also said contractors' early quotes have come in higher than hoped and that the $56,835 would "get us started." The presenter said if additional funds are required, staff would seek them from the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) budget or general fund and would return to the CRA board when those additional amounts are better known.

Council members pressed for specifics on costs and departmental oversight. Councilman Bullock asked whether $56,835 would be sufficient; staff replied the total cost will likely exceed that amount. A staff member identified as Jess told the council, "Once it becomes operational, it'll be part of Parks and Recreation just like the library." Staff also said the amendment was discussed with and supported by the CDBG Citizen Advisory Council and was noticed in accordance with the city's citizen participation plan.

A motion by Councilwoman Allison, seconded by Councilman Hayes, to approve the proposed amendment to the 2020 CDBG annual action plan carried 5 to 0.

Staff indicated next steps include beginning preparation to bring the facility up to code and coordinating contractors; staff said they will return to the CRA board if further funding beyond the reallocated $56,835 is needed.