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Staff shifts museum plan toward grant-funded acquisition and schedules public hearing
Summary
City staff told the CRA board it will pursue historic-preservation and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds instead of immediately spending $155,000 to build a new museum; staff scheduled a public hearing the next day and a special council meeting on May 19 to guide the grant decision.
City staff told the Keystone Heights CRA board on May 11 that it plans to pursue grant funding to support a museum or welcome center rather than proceeding with the $155,000 build-out that had been previously discussed. Staff said they are focusing on a state historic-preservation grant and a Community Development Block Grant administered by the state and indicated the CRA would be competitive for CDBG funding.
"Over the last 2 weeks, what we found out is we're probably more competitive, for a community development... grant," the staff member said, adding that the CDBG would be administered by the state. Staff explained that the local cost share under the CDBG category they intend to apply for would be $25,000 and that the grant process — including agreements — could take about a year; staff expects to know by the end of the summer whether they qualify or receive the grant.
To gather public input, staff scheduled an initial public hearing at 5:00 p.m. the following day to discuss the range of CDBG-eligible projects and will take that input into the city council discussion. Staff also proposed a special city council meeting on Tuesday, May 19, to obtain council guidance on whether to proceed with an application or change course.
If the CRA and city council decide to pursue CDBG funding, staff said it could change the scope of how museum or community-center space is financed and could allow the CRA to use existing funds for other near-term projects.
