Council approves draft consolidated plan and readies $272,325 HUD CDBG allocation for park accessibility

The Lincoln City Council on May 12 closed a public hearing and voted unanimously to advance the city’s draft 2026–2030 consolidated plan and annual action plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for final review.

Nita Racker, assistant city manager and community development director, introduced the item and said the plan is required now that Lincoln has entitlement status and will guide the city’s housing and community development funding for the next five years. “We are back before you with the consolidated plan,” Racker told council before the consultant presentation.

Frankie Lewington of Root Policy Research, the city’s consultant, outlined the plan’s outreach and analysis. The city reported about 215 survey responses and engagement with more than 15 stakeholder organizations during the planning process. Lewington said the draft distills priority needs into five areas: public infrastructure and improvements; affordable and accessible rental housing (especially for aging residents); housing rehabilitation targeted to low‑ and moderate‑income homeowners downtown; community services such as mental‑health supports and child care; and economic development and workforce programs.

HUD allocated $272,325 to Lincoln for the 2026 program year. The draft action plan proposes to direct roughly 80% (about $218,000) toward accessibility improvements at McBan Park and to reserve the statutory maximum of 20% for administration and program setup in this initial year, with community services funding to be distributed in years two through five. Lewington cautioned that projects using federal CDBG funds must meet HUD procurement and eligibility rules, which could affect how playground equipment and related work are procured and whether volunteer labor can be used for removal or installation.

During public comment, a resident asked whether funds would cover replacing the park play structure and addressing tripping hazards near the little‑kids baseball area. City staff said the intent is to fund a more accessible play structure but that HUD rules and federal purchasing requirements add complexity: using CDBG dollars can make an equipment purchase subject to federal procurement and public‑works standards.

Council members also asked whether community services awards would be made to existing local nonprofits; staff said the city intends to make those resources available in later program years and that awards can take the form of subrecipients or contracts with local organizations that meet HUD requirements.

The motion to close the public hearing and advance the consolidated plan passed by voice vote, recorded as 5–0. Next steps are finalizing the plan after the 30‑day comment period and submitting the materials to HUD in early June for review.