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Requesting acceptance of a $400,000 grant that requires a match, from the MA Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs PARC Grant Program to SPCD for renovations to Prospect Hill Park.
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Official Text
To the Honorable Board:
I respectfully request that your Honorable Board accept a grant of $400,000.00 from MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs PARC Grant Program to the OSPCD, under the provisions of MGL Chapter 44, Section 53A. This grant requires some level of matching funds from the city. The purpose of this grant is to pay for renovations to Prospect Hill Park.
The honorable Board voted to authorize this grant application on July 13, 2017 and EOEEA announced the grant award on January 5th, 2018. PARC grants are reimbursable grants, meaning that the City must fund the entire cost of construction up front and then submit a reimbursement request to EOEEA.
The grant requires a minimum non-state match of $266,666.00. Match funds for this project are proposed to be provided under the City's Community Preservation Act (CPA) program. The funding request for the matching CPA funding will be presented to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) on January 16, 2018. Subject to the CPC's review and recommendation, the Administration will submit an authorization request to the honorable Board of Aldermen for its approval. The City also has sufficient Community Development Block Grant funding available for the non-state match requirement should there be insufficient CPA funding committed to the project.
The Plans for the Prospect Hill Park renovation are being developed with robust input from the community and the City's Historic Preservation Commission, and upon acceptance of this PARC grant, the City may begin construction in spring of 2018.
My staff will be available to answer any questions you may have. Thank your for your consideration of this item.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph A. Curtatone, Mayor