City Commissioners amended their Community Development Block Grant funding agreement during their Oct. 15 meeting for sidewalk improvements around Carter Park.

City public works initially submitted the application for CDBG funds in 2023 toward the project.

The estimated total project cost at the time was $564,885.

The city’s CDBG review committee approved the agreement, which was then approved by the City Commission in August 2023.

City considering Carter Park sidewalk project

Public works staff finalized the designs and the city accepted bids in the spring. At that time, public works staff anticipated cost increases and met with the finance department about additional funding. Finance staff agreed CDBG could cover up to the then estimate of $637,210, given current resources and public works would fund anything over that amount, according to city staff. Public works staff eventually estimated the cost at $807,000 before putting the project out to bid, according to staff.

The low bid came in at $838,150, which awarded to United Materials in June.

The increase is primarily attributed to increased costs for concrete and its installation, according to city staff.

Tom Hazen, city grants manager, said that the CDBG amendment could have been done when the bid was awarded, but he decided to hold off until closer to actual construction since staff can’t draw those funds until payments are made to the contractor. It also allowed staff to make sure there weren’t additional project costs that came up.

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The project is currently underway and the commission will be asked to authorize the final payments later this fall, Hazen said.

CDBG funds are administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and can be used for projects benefiting a residential area with a majority low to moderate income population. Projects that benefit the “severely disabled” are also eligible under HUD rules.

The Carter Park sidewalk project meets those requirements as the residential area around the park has an eligible low to moderate income population and the project is designed to bring the park into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The project includes ADA corner ramps and the removal/reinstallation of damaged or uneven sidewalks, creating and preserving park access for those with mobility limitations, according to staff.

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Hazen told commissioners during their Oct. 15 meeting that staff were making changes to address delays in future CDBG projects and that one change will include requiring projects be contracted within 90 days of award and that a first draw request be submitted within 180 days of award notification.

The park is across the street from the under construction Carter Commons senior apartments at 520 3rd St S.

In 2022, the project was selected for $6.5 million in federal housing tax credits to build 25 new affordable homes for seniors.