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Newton staff outlines phased plan, CDBG bid for proposed theme park; LMI survey required
Summary
City staff told commissioners the Riller Foundation-led theme-park project will be phased and that the city plans to apply for a CDBG grant of roughly $700,000–$800,000 with a $140,000–$200,000 match; a communitywide LMI survey and an updated engineering estimate from Shaffer Architecture are pending.
Newton officials used their meeting to update the City Commission on plans for a proposed theme-park project and a potential Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application.
Daniela, the staff member leading the briefing, said the Riller Foundation is partnering with USD 373, the Public Building Commission and the Newton Recreation Commission on the project and that the original $2 million budget “will be phased” so the city can pursue grant funding. She told commissioners the CDBG request would likely fall between $700,000 and $800,000 and would require a local match of roughly $140,000 to $200,000, funds the Riller Foundation has earmarked for the effort.
The proposed Phase 1 scope, as described to the commission, would focus on engineering and design, restrooms, pickleball and basketball courts and lighting — although the city’s public-works director said some lighting may move to later phases. Daniela said the city plans to contract Shaffer Architecture for a preliminary engineering report, updated renderings and a current engineer’s estimate because the existing estimate is about a year old.
Daniela said the application requires a low-to-moderate-income (LMI) survey to qualify for CDBG funding. The city intends to field about 400 surveys to achieve the consultant’s target for meeting the program’s LMI threshold, and the consultant will execute the survey. Daniela cautioned that the Kansas Department of Commerce decided the survey must be communitywide (not just targeted to the park area) because students from across the city use the school facilities associated with the park.
City staff emphasized timing constraints: an upcoming funding round has a Nov. 14 deadline, and next year’s allocation may be roughly 40% smaller, making this round more competitive.
No formal action was taken on the MOA describing the project tonight; staff said they would return to the October 14 meeting with the MOA for approval and to hold the public hearing required by CDBG rules.
