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CRA shifts, grant uses and park funding debated; $1.8M proposed redirect to Chester Bird
Summary
Staff proposed reallocating $1.8 million to Chester Bird (design and state grant in place) while holding ~$3M for Olson pending school board decisions; commissioners urged continued support for Olsen and requested clarity on grant deadlines.
City staff told the commission the CRA budget would be slightly reduced but reallocated to land investments and small-business incentives. The administration proposed applying $1.8 million toward Chester Bird—where a design and state grant already exist—so work can proceed before an approaching grant completion deadline.
Assistant staff explained Olsen (a park project tied to the school board property) remains uncertain because the school board may change ownership or disposition of the school site; the city holds about $3,000,000 in a balance earmarked for Olsen and said it is pausing major outlays until the school board clarifies plans. “Chester Bird already has a design and a grant that we need to use when we lose it,” staff said.
Commissioners urged staff not to abandon Olsen and asked for formal follow-up and negotiations with the school board to preserve opportunities in the southeast part of the city. Staff also discussed CRA programming—commercial façade and mural grants ($5,000 per applicant, up to 10 businesses)—and recommended using CRA savings to fund select memberships and new pilot outreach to support small business recruitment.
