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Hanford council votes 5-0 to decline federal LWCF award, preserve Prop 68 phase 1 plan for Heroes Park
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Summary
Staff told council the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) award of $1.9M left a roughly $4M funding gap, triggered schedule and federal‑encumbrance risks for a Prop 68‑funded Heroes Park; council voted 5‑0 to have the city manager decline the LWCF grant and proceed under Prop 68 funding.
City staff recommended that the council decline a partial federal LWCF grant for the proposed 40‑acre Heroes Park, citing a substantial funding shortfall, timing risks and long‑term restrictions on park use.
Jacqueline Hart, an engineering staff member, told the council the city had applied for a $6.0 million LWCF award to add amenities such as a 16‑court pickleball complex and expanded amphitheater, but the federal award arrived at $1.9 million—approximately $4 million short of the requested amount. Hart said the LWCF award carries a federal obligation process that commonly takes 12 months or longer and, critically, prevents construction until the grant is obligated. "With the LWCF grant, the entire site becomes federally encumbered and that gives a loss of local control of the site," Hart said, describing restrictions on revenue opportunities and future changes that, in some cases, could require federal action to alter.
Brad Albert, parks staff, showed concept drawings and a phased plan funded by the state Prop 68 grant (the city had secured the maximum $8.5 million award). Albert and Frank Centeno, utilities engineering director, described phase 1 as delivering the core amenities promised in the Prop 68 application while leaving room to add future amenities as funds become available.
Staff recommended the council authorize the city manager to formally decline the LWCF award and proceed with the Prop 68 phase 1 plan to preserve the Prop 68 schedule (construction completion under Prop 68 is currently required by Dec. 2027) and avoid an estimated $4 million of unfunded construction obligations.
Councilman Page moved to authorize the city manager to decline the LWCF award; Vice Mayor House seconded. The council voted 5‑0 in favor of declining the LWCF grant and moving forward with the Prop 68‑funded phase 1 plan.
Council members and staff said declining the smaller federal award preserves local decision‑making, protects the Prop 68 funding schedule, and avoids committing the city to substantial unfunded construction obligations. Staff said they will finalize design, complete environmental review and return to the community and council with subsequent steps and a construction timeline.
