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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09RESOLUTION 2003-09 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION AND FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT GRANT FUNDS THROUGH THE SMALL CITIES COMMUNITYDEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA WHEREAS, the Town of Pulaski has participated in the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG} Program under the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development's 2002 Planning Grant program in undertaking a study for the revitalization of downtown Pulaski; and WHEREAS, the Town of Pulaski is eligible for and wishes to submit a 2003 CDBG application for Central Business District Revitalization in conjunction with Upper-Story Housing Rehabilitation/Adaptive Use and Economic Enhancement for a total of $1,005,690 to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD) on or before March 26, 2003 for consideration during the 2003 funding round; and WHEREAS, the Town has identified and designated a redevelopment area characterized by slums and blight due to building, infrastructure, and site deterioration that have served as disincentives for private investment leading to unrealized commercial potential and underutilized buildings; and • WHEREAS, the Town conducted surveys of businesses and property ownersllandlords, and town residents, conducted meetings with the general public, Greater Pulaski Alliance, Inc., Pulaski Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, and local banks and completed a needs assessment whereby severe blight, non-conforming uses, street and storm drainage deficiencies, telecommunications infrastructure deficiencies, storefront deterioration, poor gateway entrances, limited public areas, insufficient public parking, street lighting and signage were identified as major concerns of property owners, businesses and other stakeholders; and WHEREAS, the Greater Pulaski Alliance, Inc. comprised of local merchants and property owners has committed to executing a "Main Street" approach for downtown economic restructuring, design, promotion, and organization. WHEREAS, a physical and economic revitalization program has been prepared including a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) and Downtown Streetscape Plan presenting all required infrastructure improvements, a Market Study assessing the areas strengths and weaknesses and identifying community priorities, an approved Storefront Improvement Program and Commercial Rehabilitation Loan Program, and an approved Adaptive ReuselHousing Rehabilitation Program Design; and WHEREAS, the Town has approved said Adaptive Reuse/Housing Rehab Program Design and intends to provide financial assistance for the rehabilitation of existing downtown apartments and the development or improvement of underutilized upper floor space of commercial buildings in order to provide new affordable housing units for LMI persons; and ., .., • WHEREAS, seven (7) investor-owners have committed to participation in the development of said housing rehabladaptive reuse of 33 apartments, of which (24) are currently occupied; said investor-owners will participate in improvement costs under program matching requirements; and all units will be targeted exclusively for LMI persons; and WHEREAS, the implementation of said upper-story housing will benefit an estimated 50 residents, of which 50 (100%) will be for low- and moderate income persons; and WHEREAS, the Town is willing to undertake blight removal in accordance with Title 36-49, Code of Virginia and in cooperation with the Pulaski Redevelopment and Housing Authority will adopt a Redevelopment Plan for the downtown redevelopment area that meets eligibility requirements under Title 36 of the Code of Virginia; and WHEREAS, the Pulaski Redevelopment and Housing Authority has agreed to assist with the implementation of redevelopment activities for the designated redevelopment area; and WHEREAS, any acquired and cleared properties under said redevelopment will be targeted for public/private reuse by the Town and the Authority to improve the economic vitality of downtown Pulaski; and WHEREAS, eleven (11) project area property owners have expended $180,300 since • July 1, 2001, for property improvements, and eighteen (18) property owners have submitted signed Letters of Intent for $699,500 in building rehabilitation, facade and entrance improvements utilizing the Storefront Improvement Program and Commercial Rehabilitation Loan Program; and WHEREAS, the Town will commit capital funds of $265,290 for storm drainage lines, culverts, streetscape, fire suppression and telecommunications infrastructure improvements including engineering design and inspection to serve the project area; and WHEREAS, the Town will provide annual assistance in cooperation with the Greater Pulaski Alliance, Inc., a downtown organization, to remove excessive underbrush, debris and trash through the provision of personnel and equipment valued at $2,500; and WHEREAS, the Town will commit $243,750 in program income from Community Improvement Grant #86-13 thereby providing needed funding for the proposed upper-floor housing rehabilitation and apartment production in the downtown; and WHEREAS, the Town of Pulaski properly advertised and conducted public hearings on February 4, 2003 and March 18, 2003 which addressed the CDBG program and the CDBG project application, thereby meeting citizen participation requirements; and WHEREAS, property owners, merchants, residents and the Greater Pulaski Alliance Inc. have requested the Town to proceed post haste with its comprehensive efforts to resolve all the problems in downtown Pulaski and secure necessary funds to carry out the Downtown Redevelopment and Revitalization Project. ~,,. ,~ • NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF PULASKI, VIRGINIA that; the Town of Pulaski hereby wishes to apply for a FY2003 CDBG Community Improvement Grant in the amount of $1,005,690 for the Downtown Pulaski Revitalization Project for the purpose of undertaking physical and economic blight removal, economic enhancement, and the development of new and rehabilitated affordable upper-floor housing, said CDBG funds to be used in conjunction with $670,740 in Town funds and $1,894,870 in non-CDBG funds for a total project cost of $3,571,300; and FURTHERMORE, the Pulaski Town Council hereby authorizes and directs the Town Manager to file the application, forms, assurances and other necessary documents as required by this program on or before March 26, 2003, to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. This Resolution is effective upon adoption and is adopted this 18~' day of March, 2003 by vote of the Town Council as follows: Jeffrey S. Worrell -Aye Kenneth M. Fleenor -Aye E. G. Black, Jr. -Absent Pauline G. Mitchell -Aye Bettye H. Steger -Absent John T. Bolen -Aye James M. Neblett, Jr. -Absent r Charles W. Stewart, Jr., Mayor Attest: Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council •