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Council expedites $25,000 CDBG reprogramming to finish Jordan Park accessible pathway
Summary
Council advanced a proposal to reprogram about $25,000 in prior‑year CDBG funds to replace a narrow, uneven pathway and add wide, drained connectors at Jordan Park so the recently built bridge connects to playgrounds and the surrounding trail network.
Charlottesville council advanced a parks accessibility project Tuesday, agreeing to reprogram roughly $25,000 in previously unspent Community Development Block Grant funds to replace a narrow, cracked pathway at Jordan Park and install wider, drainage‑equipped connectors to playgrounds.
Anthony Warren from the Office of Community Solutions described the plan and said the money would come from unspent CDBG allocations from 2020 and 2022. Parks and Recreation trail specialist Chris Genzic said contractors are ready and estimated construction would take about two to six weeks once started. “Before we do a ribbon cutting, we wanted to make sure the bridge was actually accessible from the street,” Genzic said.
Councilors asked where the funds would come from, whether the work would delay other projects, the expected construction timeline and material choices (asphalt vs. concrete). Staff said the work is a “cleanup” of previously reclaimed funds and that asphalt was favored for ease of long‑term repairs.
No members of the public spoke during the public hearing on the item. Council debated whether to vote the same night and city attorney guidance noted that after a public hearing council can vote if it follows its procedures; staff said the Washington Park project had been handled similarly.
A councilor moved to approve the 2024 Parks and Recreation accessibility enhancement project at Jordan Park and reprogram $25,000 in CDBG funds and to waive a second reading; the motion was seconded and the council proceeded with the procedural steps needed to expedite the work.
Staff said the contractor will begin work once funding is moved and permit and procurement steps are complete. Councilors described the project as a small but important connection in the Moores Creek trail corridor and praised the accessibility improvement.
