By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TRENTON — Although not a substantial amount, city officials hope that unused grant funds can help brighten one or two local projects.
A public hearing is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Monday at Trenton City Hall, 2800 Third St., to consider proposed projects to benefit from $28,000 in unused Community Development Block Grant Funds.
City Administrator Jim Wagner said that the unused funds from the 2010-11 Wayne County grant — projects from that year did not spend the entire amount available — need to be put to use or be nullified.
“We got a waiver until Sept. 28,” Wagner said. “I’m trying to use the money before we lose it.”
Monday’s hearing will welcome groups or individuals wishing to request portions of the unused amounts. Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Grant funds typically benefit low-income residents and neighborhoods, or to improve community development needs.
Wagner said that two likely uses of the excess funds may be to repair the windows at the Trenton Historical Museum, and for sidewalk repair in targeted neighborhoods. No final decisions have been made, Wagner said.
In March city council approved allocation of $120,000 worth of CDBG funds, the bulk of which is financing current road and street repairs. Senior transportation programs and housing rehabilitation also benefitted. In 2011 CDBG funds made possible the playscape at Slocum Truax park.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected])