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City staff say $803,000 congressional grant will fund Joslyn Center repairs; council asked to set aside additional funds
Summary
Staff told the Recreation and Parks Commission that consultant-led outreach for the Joslyn Center is under way and the city has secured an $803,000 congressional grant (pending federal signature); staff requested council set aside roughly $700,000 in local funds so the project could reach an estimated $1.2–1.3 million and meet a one-year completion target.
City staff told the Recreation and Parks Commission that the Joslyn Center community workshop with consultants (MIG) produced feedback and that the city has been awarded an $803,000 congressional grant from Congressman Ted Lieu pending federal signature.
Allie, the Recreation, Parks and Library Director, said the grant must still be signed at the federal level but staff do not anticipate problems and are preparing design work to meet a one-year completion schedule. She told commissioners the staff asked the City Council to set aside an additional ~$700,000 so the project budget would be roughly $1.2–1.3 million including contingencies.
Allie emphasized that the grant is capital-only: "And it all has to be used for capital." She said consultants and community feedback prioritized kitchen and bathroom work and cosmetic upgrades to make the building warmer and more usable for seniors. Staff will provide a conceptual design and may phase work by priority (structural items first, then interior updates).
Staff also announced an online survey (with hard copies available at the Joslyn Center) to gather further input; Linnea reported the survey will remain open through June 2 and staff had already received responses. Commissioners asked whether the grant's one-year timeline risks insufficient municipal capacity; staff said they are seeking flexibility and are proceeding with conceptual design so work can start promptly once funds are finalized.
Next steps: staff will continue community outreach, complete conceptual design, and return to the commission with more detailed plans and cost breakdowns once federal signature and council funding decisions are finalized.
