City to execute $500,000 Choice Neighborhoods planning grant; council briefed on CPF awards including Rasmus Park Heritage House

Assistant Director Angela Simon told the committee the city will seek execution of a $500,000 HUD Choice Neighborhoods planning grant for the Near Northside Irvington Village area, with the Houston Housing Authority as lead applicant and the city as co‑applicant. "This is a $500,000 Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant," Simon said, noting the grant is reimbursement‑based, the performance period was updated and that the grant agreement had arrived the day before the meeting. She added the planning process could position the area for a future implementation grant.

Simon then summarized three community project funding awards received through the FY24 cycle totaling approximately $2,423,300: $1,000,000 for renovation of the West Gray Metropolitan Multi Service Center for People with Disabilities (District C); $850,000 for Mason Park Community Center improvements (about $722,500 construction and $127,500 administration); and $573,300 for the Rasmus Park Heritage House project, which staff said will be combined with $500,000 in other funding for an approximate total project cost of $1,073,300. Simon said grant awards must be spent by Aug. 31, 2032 and that subsequent agreements with partner organizations or contracts will return to city council for approval.

Council members and audience representatives praised the Mason Park and Rasmus Park funding and asked clarifying questions about district support and application consolidation; a community representative thanked the committee for prioritizing Mason Park. Simon said staff will implement awards through the application and contracting process and will bring back executed agreements and partner contracts to council as required.