AUSTIN, CITY OF
Grant: $2,003,003 - Department of Housing and Urban Development - Jul. 27, 2009
0% voted satisfied - 100% voted not satisfied - 2 vote(s) cast
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Award Description: The City of Austin received $2,003,003 in CDBG-R Funds to be administered as follows: A forgivable loan in the amount of $500,000 will be given to LifeWorks, a local non-profit, for the purchase of land to construct a 32,000 square foot Resource Center to expand critical workforce and provide mental health services to low income populations. LifeWorks will close on the land in October 2009. The center is scheduled to open in mid-2011. The completed project will sustain 130 professional jobs and will create 20 construction jobs during the construction of the facility. The facility will have retail space that will create 20 part-time jobs. PeopleFund, another Austin non-profit, will receive a forgivable loan in the amount of $500,000 for the construction of the Center for Economic Opportunity. This facility will provide comprehensive services to local small businesses as well as to low to moderate income homebuyers. This facility will also provide affordable office space to small businesses. The City of Austin will use $550,000 toward the creation of the African-American Cultural and Heritage Facility, in a historic home. The new facility will house a visitor's bureau and services for minority businesses. This project will create approximately 50 construction jobs as well as 4 full time jobs for the designated tenants. Sidewalk projects will be funded with $250,000. This project will provide for the construction of sidewalks throughout the City and will be completed in early 2010. It will create 17 construction jobs for the community. The remaining $200,300 will be used for CDBG-R administration.
Project Description: LifeWorks is scheduled to receive $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant-Recovery funds. They are currently in negotiations with the City of Austin for the execution of their loan agreement. It is anticipated that the loan agreement will be executed by November 2009 pending the receipt of a HUD Environmental Release of Funds. PeopleFund is scheduled to close on their loan agreement with the City of Austin in October 2009. HUD issued a Release of Funds on the project on September 30, 2009. The bid requests for the construction of sidewalks will be underway in October 2009 pending the issuance of a Release of Funds from HUD in October. With regard to the African American Cultural Heritage Facility, the Austin City Council has approved the project, the environmental review process and project design are currently underway. City staff continue to work diligently to ensure that the execution of the loan agreements and progession of the projects proceeds without incident.
Infrastructure Description: This project will allow the construction of new sidewalks in disadvantaged, low-to- moderate income neighborhood to be completed within two years. Improving the pedestrian network has numerous societal benefits: (1) connectivity to mass transit routes is improved, encouraging individuals to leave their cars at home. (2) the reduced congestion improves air quality by reducing emission of SOX, NOX, and particulates (which are precursors to ozone formation). (3) improved pedestrian networks encourage physical activity and address occurrences of obesity, diabetes, and other diseases, that are often higher in disadvantaged neighborhoods. (4) foot traffic helps to support local businesses, helping neighborhood commercial districts grow. (5) providing adequate sidewalks ensure safe passage for workers as well as children walking to their neighborhood schools. (6) seventeen full time construction jobs will be created with this project to help promote economic recovery.
Jobs Summary: N/A (Total jobs reported: 0)
Project Status: Not Started
This award's data was last updated on Jul. 27, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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