Community development grant to improve Father Marinaro Park, Butler retaining wall
After getting no public comments on the application for the 2024 Community Development Block Grant, the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler will send it to city council for a final vote to apply on Wednesday evening, Sept. 25.
The authority had its last hearing to apply for $311,848 through the grant on Monday, Sept. 23. As outlined in the application, the city plans to use the money to reconstruct a sidewalk and retaining wall on Mercer Street; improve Father Marinaro Park; continue the Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation program; and for general administration and audit costs.
Veronica Walker, executive director of the Butler redevelopment authority, said the application this year is down about $5,000 compared to last year. A minimum of 70% of money received through the grant has to be used to directly benefit low- and moderate-income residents.
About $169,000 of the money would be used to reconstruct a retaining wall on Mercer Street, where about 77% of residents are low- to moderate-income. About $56,500 will be used to match funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to renovate Father Marinaro Park. Plans for the park include raising the softball field’s fence, constructing an accessible walkway, creating a playground area complete with equipment, creating a new pavilion, paving the basketball courts and adding a new softball field to the park.
The redevelopment authority will continue to fund its Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation program by using $56,000 from the grant, allowing low-income homeowners to apply for money to bring their facilities up to code compliance. The remaining $56,000 the redevelopment authority is applying for will be used for administrative costs over the term of the four-year grant contract.
Butler City Councilman Troy Douthett was the only person to attend Monday’s hearing, and was happy to see the planned use of the funds.
“I’m just happy to hear about Father Marinaro Park,” Douthett said at the hearing.
The application is due to the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development by Nov. 1.
