Port St. Lucie reviews FY2025‑26 CDBG project proposals; council seeks prioritization and public comment

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Port St. Lucie staff presented a detailed list of proposed projects for the city's FY2025‑26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation at a June 16 workshop, and council members discussed priorities including infrastructure repairs, neighborhood culvert work and facility renovations for nonprofit partners.

Staff overview and available funds Miss Tasca (Neighborhood Services staff) told the council the city's confirmed FY2025‑26 CDBG allocation is approximately $1,860,000; after program administration and code compliance set‑asides and a small prior‑year surplus, the remainder available for project allocation was presented at roughly $706,000. Tasca reviewed the CDBG program objectives, the city's five‑year consolidated plan (this is year five) and eligibility rules (national objectives: benefit low‑ and moderate‑income persons, address slums/blight, or urgent needs).

Project proposals, data and council concerns Staff presented a mix of proposed and continuing projects, with new proposals and program updates including: - CRA Rivergate Parkway bike safety/sharrow at Veterans Memorial Hwy and Port St. Lucie Blvd — proposed $4,000 to improve bike accessibility. - Minority business development consulting funds: a $20,000 surplus from a previously funded MBDA engagement was proposed to be reallocated to WeVenture (local business assistance partner) as a subrecipient to fund outreach and consulting for businesses in CDBG areas. - Business Accelerator program and small business grants (max $5,000 per award); staff reported roughly half of accelerator graduates who applied received CDBG small business grants and recommended rolling some surplus funds into existing city‑run programs for greater control. - Southeast Veterans Memorial Parkway sidewalk connection (near the post office) as a small gap‑closure sidewalk project discussed favorably by council members. - Commercial Facade Improvement Grant: staff opened applications and awarded funding to six businesses for a total of $44,000 (two applications denied — one for geography, one for ineligible work); program leveraged private match and may reopen next fiscal year. - Boys & Girls Mobile Club: ongoing program funded in part by CDBG and program income, serving parks in CDBG areas and reporting participation at more than 10,000 students and families over events; council supported continued funding and stronger data tracking for city events served. - Septic‑to‑sewer conversion program: staff reported 52 household grants funded by CDBG in the past three years and recommended continued funding. - Culvert replacement assistance pilot (homeowner assistance, code‑driven failures): staff proposed augmenting an $80,000 carryover and estimated per‑residence culvert replacement costs in the $8,000–$10,000 range, higher than septic conversions; program to be coordinated with Public Works and Code and launched in early fall. - Whispering Pines neighborhood culverts (Phase 5): repeated CDBG priority; staff reported multi‑phase work funded previously and requested prioritization for further phases. - Lingate Park security lighting and Rotary Park lighting/security camera improvements (parks‑focused projects proposed to leverage CDBG materials purchases to reduce CIP costs). - Powell (Police Athletic League) gym renovations at Rotary Park: Powell representatives described the nonprofit building as land‑leased and funded in large part by donations; Powell said it could contribute capital funds (board estimate ~ $100,000) and requested CDBG assistance for larger renovations to expand usable gym and program space. The Police Department noted safety issues and asked for a site evaluation; council discussed whether to fund stop‑gap safety fixes now while planning a larger project or look for an alternate facility longer term. - Winter Lakes Park facility and sports lighting: CDBG materials‑only ask up to $500,000 to offset CIP costs.

Council direction, public process and next steps Staff said the formal action would be a public hearing next Monday to open a 30‑day public comment period on the draft Annual Action Plan. Staff advised that council may approve a draft at the public hearing and maintain other projects as alternates in the Action Plan so HUD can activate alternates if additional funding becomes available. Staff reported the submission deadline to HUD is August 15 and that projects not in the direct allocation can be listed as alternates.

Council members prioritized infrastructure items such as septic‑to‑sewer and homeowner culvert assistance, the Veterans Memorial sidewalk gap, and Whispering Pines culvert work; several members supported funding the Powell building for immediate safety fixes if funds were available while the city evaluates longer‑term facility options. Council asked staff to provide additional details (addresses, specific budgets, project timelines, and pre/post photos for facade grants) and to return a refined project list at the public hearing next week.

Direct quotes are drawn from the workshop transcript. Tasca described eligibility and the funding picture; Councilman Pickett and Vice Mayor Carballo pressed for ROI and clearer reporting on third‑party subrecipients. A Police lieutenant said Powell has safety issues that warranted immediate attention. Staff: "We will have probably a little money, but expending that amount of money during the fiscal year and only staying with about 100, 150,000 allows us to meet our timeliness goals and roll over that funding to the next year." (transcript excerpt).

Ending: Staff will open the 30‑day public comment period at the scheduled public hearing next Monday, return a refined allocation plan and consider alternates for HUD submission on August 15. Council also agreed to publicize program successes and provide more detailed tracking data for externally administered grants.