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Council members press to restore people’s budget, target downtown redevelopment and preservation funds
Summary
Members proposed restoring $5 million to the people’s budget in FY28, targeting funds for affordable housing and neighborhood displacement grants, and aligning CIP investments to small‑area plans to kick‑start the Central Business District; members argued these steps encourage development while protecting vulnerable residents.
Several council members centered housing and downtown development in their amendment packages.
Councilmember Bridal asked that $5,000,000 be placed in the CIP for FY28 to fund the people’s budget and to provide certainty for the engagement process. Councilwoman Robertson proposed restoring a $10,000,000 allocation to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, creating a neighborhood‑displacement performance grant to preserve single‑family owners and at‑risk communities, and aligning CIP dollars with small‑area plans to drive downtown transformation and a workforce hub.
Councilwoman Lynch described an initiative to repurpose the Clark Springs Elementary School footprint for senior affordable housing and possible new open‑high‑school planning, requesting consultant funding to evaluate feasibility. Members also discussed preservation investments and coordination with faith‑based partners for by‑right housing opportunities.
Members emphasized sequencing implementation: text amendments were proposed to ensure budget language reflects the Affordable Housing Trust Fund ordinance, and several members asked administration to supply clearer account coding and performance expectations.
