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CDBG Capital Projects Training TONIGHT (Sep 15)

CDBG Capital Projects Training TONIGHT (Sep 15)

capital projectThere will be a training session tonight (Monday, September 15) for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for capital projects at the West Central Community Center (1600 N. Belt) from 5:30 to 7pm.

These capital projects— that is, physical constructions and improvements like street lighting, landscaping and building renovations — need to emphasize two things:

  1. Improve the quality of life for your neighborhood’s low- to moderate-income population
  2. Address blight, such as graffiti-covered, dilapidated or disused buildings

This is a great opportunity if you or the organization your represent would like to invest in large-scale improvements with a positive community impact but have not been able to source sufficient funding.

Anyone is welcome to make an application for projects on our neighborhood’s behalf, but all applications for such projects will need to be approved and signed by the chair of the E-G Neighborhood Council.

To better prepare for the training, application materials and instructions are available from the ONS website. For more information, you can also call Rod Minarik on (509) 625-6737.

Recap of the September E-G Neighborhood Council Meeting

Recap of the September E-G Neighborhood Council Meeting

The September 14, 2014 meeting of the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council got underway when Marlene Feist, Utilities Communications Manager for the City of Spokane, spoke about the street levy proposal that will be on the November ballot. This levy will complement the parks levy that is also being proposed. Many of the details of the parks levy and the improvements it will bring to Riverfront Park were addressed by Parks and Recreation Director Leroy Eadie during the May meeting of the E-G Neighborhood Council.

Marlene explained that the street levy proposal is designed to improve the arterial system, which accommodates approximately 90% of Spokane’s traffic. The levy would use 57¢ of the 93¢ per $1,000 of assessed property value, with the remaining income going to the parks program. With proper maintenance, involving grind and overlay, the life of streets could be extended to 50 years. Some of the arterial money could be used for residential areas as well.

A council member asked where the income from license plate tabs went, and the speakers confirmed that the income from renewals is directed to the improvement of residential streets.

This is a 20-year levy, and the debt will be paid off four years later. The park bond requires a 60% voter approval, and the streets bond only requires 50% approval. The ballots can be expected to arrive in your mailbox by the middle of October.

Judith Gilmore from the Fulcrum Institute spoke about her organization’s work with the Geiger Correctional Center and low- to moderate-income families in West Central and Emerson-Garfield Neighborhoods. To augment these services, they are planning to renovate a building at 1926 N. Ash, the former home of Nords Electric. The historic building has set vacant for years but is still in phenomenal shape. There are three large bays for work or classrooms for training as well as three apartments for transitional living.

Judith said that Fulcrum is looking for partner organizations that would occupy the available training and retail space in the building. Anyone who is interested should contact her via e-mail or by calling (509) 838-2799.

Jackie Caro from the Office of Neighborhood Services reported that the traffic circles on Montgomery have gone out to bid. Another project that will finish some sidewalks on Madison and Jefferson (also part of the traffic calming program) is underway.

She explained changes to the current Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding process. The majority of E-G still qualifies for CDBG block dollars, as in the past, and could qualify for a number of additional larger grants. For example, the neighborhood could apply to install new lighting on N. Monroe to increase safety and walkability. Neighborhoods can also collaborate with each other and pool money for even larger projects, such as renovations or capital projects that would impact nearby neighborhoods.

There is a training session for these CDBG projects and applications on Monday, September 15, from 5:30 to 7pm at the West Central Community Center (1600 N. Belt). Anyone can put forward applications on the neighborhood’s behalf, but all applications for neighborhood projects will need to be approved and signed by the chair of the E-G Neighborhood Council.

More information on CDBG funding and opportunities is always available through the ONS website.

A short update was given on the Greening Neighborhoods Grants. E-G has been given an extension until September 15 to finalize the paperwork. For the Stevens/Atlantic grant, volunteers will go door-knocking to obtain residents’ approval to plant and maintain trees.

A proposal was made to change the EGNC meeting time from 7pm to 6pm to better accommodate participants’ busy schedules. It was discussed that the time should be changed after the next neighborhood mailing, which will be soon enough for the October 8 meeting. The proposal was approved, with one “nay” vote.

The memorandum of understanding between the Emerson-Garfield Farmers’ Market and Project Hope Spokane was discussed. A few changes for fine-tuning the wording were recommended. The revised MoU was approved unanimously.

The council members gave retroactive approval for a sidewalk improvement project near Emerson Park, which permitted that $5,015 be reallocated from the neighborhood’s street tree fund to the sidewalk fund, even though the money will be used for street tree replacement as part of the sidewalk project.

Jay Cousins reported on the Community Assembly. The elections for the CA will be moved one month earlier to better familiarize those in newly elected positions. A workshop on Saturday, October 18 from 9am to 2pm will offer an opportunity for the public input and involvement on CA priorities.

Help Green E-G with a “Guerrilla” Planting

Help Green E-G with a “Guerrilla” Planting

The Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council is currently applying for two ambitious Greening Neighborhoods grants.

One project will use native shrubs and permaculture to complete the area on N. Maple that was planted with nine trees back in April.

The other project will be a “guerrilla” planting that will put street trees in front of homes at 2000–2500 N. Atlantic and 2400–2500 N. Stevens. It’s called “guerrilla” because a band of neighborhood volunteers will conduct the planting themselves over the course of a day or two. They’ll be overseen by a certified arborist.

However, to ensure the grant is successful, we need permission from the owners of the properties that fall within those areas. This means we can either knock on your door in person, or you can get in touch with us (quickly, please!) and say that you’d love to have a street tree in front of your home that will buffer wind and noise, beautify the neighborhood, shade your home from the sun’s heat, and, yes, even help calm traffic.

To see what’s planned in terms of location and scope, click on the aerial maps above. These indicate what planting strips will allow for trees, the number of trees (61 in total), and the proposed tree class (i.e., I, II or III) as specified on the Approved Street Tree List on the Spokane Urban Forestry web page. Residents will be able to determine the choice of trees.

Even if you don’t live at one of those properties, you can still get involved. We welcome volunteer door-knockers who will help us get residents’ permission as well as volunteers who will help us plant the trees on the day. Just contact us to say you’d like to help.

This application is due September 15, so please don’t delay.

Madison/Adams Sidewalks, Montgomery Traffic Circles

Madison/Adams Sidewalks, Montgomery Traffic Circles

Designs have now been drafted for the new sidewalks to be installed on Madison and Adams Streets as well as the traffic circles that are planned for Montgomery Ave. They’re provided below for reference.

The designs show in detail what’s planned, including curb ramps, signage, landscaping, and stormwater improvements. Residents in the construction areas should already have received notices about the projects and their effects, if any, but please contact us if you still have any comments or concerns.

The projects are going out to bid very soon and the City anticipates completion by late autumn.

E-G Neighborhood Plan 2014

E-G Neighborhood Plan 2014

EGNP_2014The completed Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Plan was unveiled to the entire neighborhood at a public presentation on June 12, 2014.

In addition to planning stakeholders and residents, representatives from the City, the STA and the neighborhood business community were in attendance.

The plan has since been presented to relevant planning and land use committees, where it has received overwhelmingly positive feedback on its scope, ambition and equity. On July 9, the Spokane Plan Commission unanimously (6-0) voted to recommend adoption of the plan by resolution to the City Council.

On July 28, the Spokane City Council voted unanimously (6-0) in favor of adopting the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Plan by resolution. This is a big achievement, and it means the plan stands an even better chance of having its most salient points incorporated into Spokane’s long-term Comprehensive Plan.

We encourage you to read the plan, as it lays out a vision that befits Emerson-Garfield as a vibrant residential neighborhood with a strong central business corridor. Download it here as a PDF.