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EOHLC seeks clarity on Waterford Street center LMI benefit; St. Paul's garden must meet prevailing wage and access rules
Summary
Staff told the CBP steering committee that EOHLC requested clarification that more than 51% of the Waterford Street Community Center’s square footage would benefit low- and moderate-income residents; staff plan to finalize the layout and may reapply in a future grant cycle. St. Paul's Community Garden expansion needs construction quotes, prevailing‑wage compliance and architectural access review.
Gardner City staff reported on June 23, 2026, that the Executive Office of Housing and Local Communities (EOHLC) asked for further detail on the Waterford Street Community Center because CDBG rules require that more than 51% of a building’s total square footage must serve low‑ and moderate‑income (LMI) people for the project to meet a CDBG national objective. Staff said the project’s proposed uses and final layout are still being finalized and that the city will consider applying in a future grant cycle if the current submission does not demonstrate the required LMI benefit.
Staff also provided updates on public social-service grantees: Voice of Truth submitted an invoice that the city will process, Gardner Athletic Program invoices on a quarterly schedule and several other grantees will invoice after expending prior awards. Staff said the Gardner Community Action Committee’s cargo van delivery has been delayed to late July but the city secured an extension from EOHLC through Dec. 31, 2026, to allow the grantee additional time to complete the project.
On the St. Paul's Episcopal Church community garden expansion, staff said the project includes construction elements that make it more complex than a standard social-service award: the applicant must obtain construction quotes, follow applicable state and federal prevailing‑wage rules, and comply with architectural access requirements; staff will work with the applicant and the Architectural Access Board (AAB) to ensure accessibility requirements are met.
Next steps: staff will finalize the Waterford center layout and resubmit to EOHLC as needed; the city will process grantee invoices as they arrive and assist St. Paul’s with procurement and compliance requirements.
