The City of Manhattan is accepting proposals for 2017 Community Development Block Grant projects that benefit low- and moderate-income individuals or areas. A public meeting to accept and discuss project ideas will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14 at City Hall, 1101 Poyntz Ave. The city will also collect ideas online through Dec. 2.
“We’re asking Manhattan residents, agencies and non-profits to give us proposals for public facilities, housing and infrastructure improvements that serve low income areas of the city or low income residents,” said Christina L’Ecuyer, grant administrator for the City of Manhattan. “At the public meeting, we accept these same types of proposals and also accept suggestions for needed public services that could be funded through the annual
request for proposals process.”
Project proposals can include improvements, renovation or construction of non-residential historic buildings, ADA improvements to public facilities, senior centers, homeless facilities, youth centers, parks and recreational facilities, flood drainage improvements, street improvements, sidewalks, child care centers or any other public facility that serves low-income demographics.
Recently completed projects include moving and improving the Lee Elementary School crossing on Anderson Avenue, building improvements to the Douglass Community Center, and sidewalk repair and replacement in the block surrounding Manhattan Municipal Court. Projects slated for the 2016 grant year include renovations to the Riley County Seniors’ Service Center kitchen and the construction of sidewalks associated with the Old Big Blue River Trail project in northeast Manhattan.
Selected projects will be included in the 2017 Annual Action Plan submitted to U.S. Housing and Urban Development next year.
More information including the online suggestion form is available at CityofMHK.com/CDBG.