Mayor Carlo DeMaria is excited to announce that the City of Everett was recently awarded $900,000 in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) from fiscal year 2013. CDBG is a program created by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs.
The CDBG program works to ensure decent affordable housing, to provide services to the most vulnerable in communities, and to create jobs through the expansion and retention of businesses. CDBG is an important tool for helping local governments tackle serious challenges facing their communities. The CDBG program has made a difference in the lives of millions of people and their communities across the Nation.
With funding from the CDBG, the City will complete various projects, the first of which are targeted specifically towards the Lower Broadway (“South Everett”) neighborhood. These projects include roadway improvements for Bow Street, as well as roadway reconstruction, sidewalk improvements, crosswalk improvements, and improvements for pedestrian mobility within the neighborhood. In addition, the Mayor and his administration will provide 2-3 workshops to promote a model program for business assistance and economic development for the area. The City will provide additional assistance through the program to a selected group of businesses to enact best retail practice improvements.
Also through the use of CDBG funding, the City will complete a master plan of the Commercial Triangle Neighborhood. The area is a mix of residential and commercial real estate and the Mayor has identified it as the next prime spot for redevelopment within the City. The goal of this reimaging project is to illustrate the possible infrastructure improvements, tax money, building permit fees, and most importantly, jobs for residents that a proper redevelopment can provide.
Working with five PSS agencies the City also plans to ensure funding goes to agencies with a strong track record of adhering to CDBG program requirements, and to provide services to Everett residents, with an emphasis on those providing services to Lower Broadway neighborhood residents.
In addition, the Mayor and his administration will expand the housing rehabilitation program currently funded through HOME. The targeted houses and properties will be located in the Lower Broadway neighborhood and will include funding for 2-4 projects depending on project size. Due to expanded housing rehabilitation program and economic development initiatives, administration funding will also be provided.
“The Lower Broadway neighborhood has long been neglected from a planning perspective and is prime for redevelopment”, states Mayor DeMaria, “The CDBG Grant is making available necessary funds that will assist and address vital needs for the area. These essential dollars will help create a more vigorous and thriving neighborhood.”