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Glen Ridge seeks CDBG funds to build an ADA-accessible restroom at Freeman Gardens
Summary
Town staff told council they will submit two Essex County CDBG applications prioritizing a barrier-free bathroom at Freeman Gardens (estimated ~$35,000–$40,000) and ADA ramp upgrades tied to road work, aiming to be ready to capture repurposed funds if they become available.
Town staff presented the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application priorities during a public hearing, asking the council to rank Freeman Gardens’ barrier-free restroom as the town’s first priority and street ramp upgrades as the second.
Mike, speaking for municipal staff, explained the CDBG program is federal funding administered locally and that Glen Ridge typically receives about $440,000 in funding in past cycles. He said the town plans to request roughly $35,000–$40,000 to install an ADA-compliant barrier-free bathroom at Freeman Gardens, noting the facility already has plumbing and that the project would make a public facility more accessible.
Staff recommended ranking two projects so the municipality can be ready if additional, recaptured funds become available from other communities. “We have been successful in capturing repurposed funds last year and it served us well,” Mike said, urging council to place Freeman Gardens first and ramp improvements second on the submission.
Council approved Resolution 153-20 authorizing the director of Planning and Development to submit the CDBG applications by priority: (1) Freeman Gardens ADA bathroom (requested amount noted in the application text) and (2) ADA ramps for road projects. The motion passed on roll call with councilors voting in favor.
What happens next: staff will finalize the application and submit it to the Essex County division of Housing and Community Development; if additional funding becomes available, the town will be positioned to receive and implement the projects.
