Jamie Perkins, Neighborhood Services and Community Redevelopment Agency manager, reviewed Lincolnville CRA project activity on Jan. 13, reporting multi-year progress on institutional-rehab grants, neighborhood beautification and streetscape design.

Elks Lodge: Perkins said contractors mobilized in late October and work is progressing; interior demolition and the elevator pit were complete at the time of the update. The project is roughly a $1.1 million scope that includes mechanical and electrical upgrades, an ADA elevator, window repair/preservation and flood mitigation. Perkins said $250,000 for the Elks project comes from Lincolnville CRA funds and that the project also received an African American Cultural and Historic State Grant; the city will preserve historic window features where feasible.

Flood mitigation for the Elks Lodge will use door dams and water-resistant paint roughly six feet up the exterior in locations where permitted by grant rules, Perkins said, noting state and federal grant rules limited some options.

Trinity Independent Church: Perkins said Trinity’s rehabilitation is back in active design after earlier delays. The CRA has roughly $460,000 currently allocated and staff plan to phase remaining work across budget cycles. The project will include a new roof, mechanical/electrical/plumbing upgrades, demolition and reconstruction of the bell tower brick-by-brick where feasible, structural stabilization and repairs to the adjacent Rutledge Hall used for fellowship and community events.

St. Joseph Neighborhood Center: Staff reported a contractor is fabricating and installing custom, operational shutters; the CRA’s allocation for the shutter work is $150,000.

Institutional-rehab and fix-it-up pipeline: Perkins said three institutional-rehab projects are active (Elks Lodge, Trinity Independent, St. Joseph Neighborhood Center) and eight “fix-it-up” residential applications are under review following the most recent application cycle.

MLK Streetscape: The streetscape project is in design; staff are reviewing 90% plans this month and coordinating with Public Works, resiliency and historic-preservation staff. Perkins said easements will be required for some underground utility and transformer placements and that FP&L is leading the utility-undergrounding initiative. Perkins said she is pursuing a RAISE grant application with consultant support; the city has previously received RAISE funding for other streetscape work. Perkins gave a preliminary cost reference of roughly $7 million for projects similar to MLK streetscape but said total cost could be higher and will depend on grant awards and final design.

Lincolnville Park (George and Ollie Smith): Perkins recapped a Dec. 5 ribbon cutting for Lincolnville Park in honor of George and Ollie Smith. She described the pocket park as a passive-recreation space with chess/checkers seating and encouraged residents to visit. City videographer Maren Dunn produced a short video of the opening that the city posted to the CRA website.

Perkins said the city will continue to accept and evaluate institutional-rehab applications each budget cycle and will circulate program details and interlocal maintenance agreements as requested. No formal funding votes or contract awards were made at the meeting.