Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Development Cdbg topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chester County council adopts 2025 Community Development Block Grant priority needs list; senior services and sidewalks among items added
Summary
Council reviewed a presentation from Catawba Regional Council of Governments on CDBG eligibility and approved a prioritized needs list that includes water/sewer upgrades, sidewalk projects and senior services, with staff to finalize the adopted list.
Chester County Council on April 28 approved the county's 2025 priority needs list for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding after a presentation from Catawba Regional Council of Governments staff.
Frazier Bray, representing Catawba Regional Council of Governments, reviewed eligible CDBG activities — public improvements (water, sewer, drainage), facility renovations, planning and public services targeted to low‑and‑moderate income (LMI) areas — and explained program caps, match requirements (typically 10 percent), and application cycles.
Bray said most competitive applications in the region focus on water and sewer infrastructure but noted non‑infrastructure projects such as senior services facilities and ADA upgrades can be eligible when they primarily serve LMI residents. She reminded council that projects must be advertised and that public hearings are required at multiple stages.
Council reviewed the draft priority needs list and discussed specific local candidates, including streetscape and sidewalk upgrades on Lancaster Street (Highway 9), Saluda Street (Highway 72), and Ashford Street; water and sewer upgrades in targeted neighborhoods (East Chester, Lincolnville Street); brownfield remediation in former mill sites (Great Falls mills, Eureka Mill and Gale Mill); courthouse ADA work; and senior services facility improvements and transportation support. Council members asked staff to add senior services and Dawson Drive infrastructure/service-line improvements to the list and to prioritize sidewalks in certain neighborhoods.
Councilman Agee moved to approve the prioritized needs list as amended by the night's discussion; the motion passed by voice vote.
Bray said spring and fall CDBG application windows differ by activity (infrastructure typically in the fall) and reminded the council that projects must meet national objectives (benefit to LMI persons or elimination of slums/blight) and be ready to proceed if selected. Staff will finalize and file the county's formal prioritized needs list for the application cycle.
