Board authorizes mayor to apply for construction grant for industrial-park site prep (up to $750,000)

The Livingston Board approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for a construction grant of up to $750,000 with a local match cap of $75,000 to support site grading, utilities and parking at a lot in the town’s industrial park.

Ray, delivering the downtown rehabilitation update, said draft invitations for bid for courthouse and Broad Street projects are under review and that he expects to advertise those projects for bid in March. He reported the limited-phase environmental assessment on the industrial-park lot is finished and the consultant anticipates the report will be complete shortly, with no adverse findings anticipated.

Ray summarized the grant sequence: earlier predevelopment studies made the town eligible for construction-phase applications once current site-development grants are closed out. "So what I have proposed in this resolution is that you authorize the mayor to apply for a grant in an amount not to exceed $750,000 with a cap set match not to exceed $75,000," he said. A motion to approve the resolution was made by Rex Dale, seconded by Bill Bender, and the board approved the resolution by voice vote.

The presenter said exact construction-phase budget quotes are not yet available; staff referenced a 2023 preliminary engineering report for planning estimates but told the board that updated cost figures will be provided as part of the procurement and bid process. The resolution authorizes the mayor to pursue funding; any contract awards and final construction budgets will return to the board for approval.