Casper council schedules public call for CDBG housing proposals after environmental delays stalled prior projects

City of Casper staff asked the City Council on July 29 to authorize a public notice and a call for applications for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to support preservation and maintenance of low‑ and moderate‑income housing.

"We put a temporary tentative timeline in the memo," said Liz Becker, community development staff, asking councilors for direction to proceed. Becker described two potential housing preservation projects under preliminary review and said the city would sponsor applications to WCDA (the state administrator for the program) if the council chooses to move forward.

Becker reviewed the local history with CDBG: Casper previously was an entitlement community with relatively small grants; since WCDA took program oversight the state allocation mechanism allows larger requests. She said earlier proposals—work at the Willard School and the former North Casper School—stalled after HUD environmental requirements (lead‑based paint and asbestos) created compliance complications that prevented timely distribution of funds.

"We do not have, at this point, any environmental asbestos or lead based paint," Becker said, adding that staff and applicants have done pre‑application due diligence to avoid the problems that delayed prior awards. If the council approves issuing the public notice, Becker said applicants will present formal proposals at the Sept. 16 meeting and the city would make a determination then about sponsoring one, both or none of the applications.

Becker said WCDA indicated roughly $7,000,000 remained statewide for allocation and that municipalities may submit up to two applications. She gave a preliminary estimate that Casper might seek about $1,800,000 across two projects, but emphasized council approval will be required for any formal sponsorship.

Councilors raised concerns about past delays. One councilor recalled a promised $500,000 for Willard that was not released over two years; Becker and staff said environmental reviews were the cause and described new steps taken to address those issues early in the process. Staff also confirmed the city would have no local financial match requirement for applications and that, if awarded, the city would contract with subrecipients and process drawdowns through WCDA.

Next steps: councilors agreed to publish the public notice and accept applicant presentations on Sept. 16; council will decide at that meeting whether to sponsor any applications.