Metropolis finance committee to contemplate reworked grant program, sidewalk repairs | Native Information

Town finance committee will take into account a proposal to remodel a Downtown Growth Authority grant program when it meets Monday.

Town acquired $9.2 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, of which $1.2 million was given to the DDA to make use of for small enterprise help grants and loans, based on a memo from authority officers to the town fee.

Some have been profitable, however $750,000 put aside for a revolving mortgage program has remained largely unused, based on the memo.

The DDA now proposes to make use of the cash as an alternative for a brand new grant known as the Business Property Enhancement Grant.

“The aim of this grant is to supply help for all times security, ADA compliance, sanitary necessities and basic constructing enhancements, with the Norwich hall candidates receiving precedence evaluation,” the memo states. “… Eligible bills listed within the grant are usually ones that companies battle most with when opening a brand new enterprise. Sanitary – grease lure – set up prices alone is usually a key determinant in a venture not going ahead.”

Companies have to be within the DDA’s space of protection, which incorporates the downtown business district on Newcastle Avenue, the Gloucester Avenue and Norwich Avenue corridors and a part of the Albany Avenue space straight north of Gloucester.

Metropolis commissioners must approve the proposal earlier than the grants could be made out there.

Additionally on the agenda is a $34,530 venture to repair journey hazards on sidewalks.

A memo from Public Works Director Garrow Alberson to the town fee states about 215 “extreme” journey hazards had been discovered on sidewalks on Altama Avenue from R Avenue to the Ga. 25 Spur, on Parkwood Drive from Altama Avenue to U.S. 17, on U.S. 341 from G Avenue to seventh Avenue and on Reynolds Stree from I Avenue to 1st Avenue.

“These hazards could be as a result of settlement, upheaval by tree roots, injury by automobiles or different causes,” the memo states. “Usually, these conditions lead to comparatively minor injury to the sidewalk which doesn’t require full elimination and substitute of the sidewalk part.

Many instances, the journey hazards could be eliminated by grinding or shaving the raised sidewalk panel in order that two adjoining panels are stage throughout the joint. There are just a few hazards so extreme that elimination and substitute is the one choice.”

Different gadgets on the agenda embrace:

• Acquisition of a flood-prone property.

• Finance stories from July.

The assembly will start at four p.m. and can be held by way of Zoom. For extra info, name the finance division at 912-267-5500.