Whittier Sidewalk/Right of Way Improvements | Grant

Pocatello City Corp

Grant: $134,733 - Department of Housing and Urban Development - Aug. 19, 2009

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Award Description: The Whittier Sidewalk/Right of Way Improvement project is a CDBG-R funded project to install and/or repair right-of-way infrastructure, including curb, gutter, sidewalk, and/or planter strips, in the Whittier Neighborhood, an area that residents ranked as one of the City's poorest as regards infrastructure condition. The project was designed not only to create the needed infrastructure where none existed, but also to repair or replace areas that might be dangerous to pedestrians. In completing this project, resident safety was enhanced for one of Pocatello's lowest income, highest pedestrian traffic neighborhoods, as well as enhancing the aesthetics of the area. Because the project involved transportation infrastructure, enhancement of walkability encourages pedestrian usage, promotes neighborhood revitalization, and furthers smart growth principles through energey conservation, walkability, and accessibility. As an ARRA funded project, it was 'shovel-ready' and provided immediate job creation/retention and the economic benefits of salary payment and material purchase.

Project Description: In completing the project,14,025 square feet of sidewalk was installed; 1,252 linear feet of curb and gutter was installed; 9,231 square feet of sod installation and/or restoration was completed; 400 linear feet of irrigation systems were repaired within the right-of-way; eight ADA truncated domes were installed while making corner ramps accessible. Street patchback and improvement was completed within the project area, as well. This project had the added benefit of improving the City's storm water control system in the area of the infrastructure improvements, which will improve the environmental quality of the Portneuf River. Coupled with the preparation and finish work, 9 individuals were employed for approximately 8 weeks completing the work. The City of Pocatello is proud that of the total CDBG-R award, only 3.5% was spent on administrative costs, with 96.5% spent on hard costs.

Infrastructure Description: The City of Pocatello chose the Whittier (South Second) Sidewalk/Right of Way Improvement project as its CDBG-R funded project for many reasons. Use of the funds for this project meets purposes #1, 2, 4, and 5 of the Recovery Act. First, the project enabled the contractor to hire one new employee and not lay off--or recall from layoff--eight other employees for the duration of the project. The money paid to these employees helped them directly, as well as the local economy as those funds passed from an employee into the community's general economy. Second, the neighborhood that received the infrastructure improvements is one of the poorest within the City, where 65.8 percent (1,545) of residents are considered LMI (based on data for Census Tract 8). Having decent infrastructure is one of the most basic needs for a community and in the poorer neighborhoods, residents are least able to afford improvements themselves. Plus, construction jobs in our community are among the most impacted by the current economic conditions, so the hiring/rehiring of workers easily meets the purpose of 'assisting those most impacted by the recession.' Regarding purpose #4, 'to invest in transportation . . . ' this type of pedestrian infrastructure will encourage the revitalization of what is one of Pocatello's lowest income, highest pedestrian traffic neighborhoods, providing long-term economic benefits in addition to the immediate infusion of jobs and cash. Having decent sidewalks promotes smart growth principles through vehicular energy conservation, thus improving local air quality. Stimulating opportunities for walking can also have a positive impact on individual health. Finally, although small in amount, the funds used for administration of the CDBG-R project freed other funds to be used elsewhere within the community.

Jobs Summary: One new employee was hired by the contractor and eight individuals were either recalled from layoff or not layed off as planned, because of this project, for a total of 9 FTEs. Jobs that were performed included: concrete finishers, general laborers, equipment (such as backhoes and asphalt rollers) operators, truck drivers. (Total jobs reported: 9)

Project Status: Completed

This award's data was last updated on Aug. 19, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.