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Mayor Starr: no critical-infrastructure grant application this year; city updates storm response and downtown projects
Summary
Mayor Starr told council the city will not apply this year for a critical-infrastructure grant because of limited bandwidth and scoping; he also updated council on CDBG paperwork, renovations to the municipal center, storm cleanup, and planned public art and events.
Mayor Starr told the council the administration will not pursue the critical infrastructure grant this year because staff and departments lack the bandwidth and scoping to prepare a competitive application now. "We don't have the bandwidth nor the scoping to be able to apply for that this year; it is something that we can do next year," Mayor Starr said.
Starr said the city is proceeding with other projects and that the Community Development Block Grant paperwork is on track; he noted a deadline "the 10th" for a related grant application. He also said the city will soon release RFQs and expects an announcement about renovations to the Mount Vernon Municipal Center and associated demolition bids for the square.
On storm response, Starr and other officials thanked first responders, public-works crews and lifeguard staff for rapid assistance during a severe storm that downed trees and damaged property. Starr specifically praised pool staff: "Columbus Pool Management and the lifeguards at the Hayawa Water Park for very quickly and safely getting patrons into safe shelter," he said. City staff clarified that the city does not maintain or restore power lines and therefore cannot remove trees that are entangled with live lines until the utility secures those lines.
Starr also noted community events and projects: Paddle for Heroes participants were en route to Marietta; the Blueest Star family bell circle public art is tentatively scheduled for installation June 16 behind the depot at American Heritage Park; and other downtown features linked to America250 will be unveiled in the near term.
What happens next: The city will monitor grant timelines and revisit the critical infrastructure application next year. The administration plans to release RFQs and post formal notices about municipal-center renovations and demolition bids.
