Darien Receives $1.3 Million in Grant Awards
Darien, Ga: Governor Sonny Perdue announced yesterday that the City of Darien has been awarded a total of $1.3 Million in federal grants from Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The grant money is part of the state’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP) which is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“We are thrilled that Darien has been awarded these grants,”said Darien Mayor Kelly Spratt. “We have all been praying that this would happen, but we never dreamed the City would end up with more grant money than any other municipality in the state.”
The Department of Community Affairs administers these programs in Georgia; which are designed to help eliminate slum and blight, while improving the quality of life for people of low to moderate income. This is the first time Darien has submitted applications for housing rehabilitation under these programs.
The City submitted 2008 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Community Home Investment Program (CHIP) applications on April 1st of this year. A Revitalization Area Strategy (RAS) application was also submitted, and a city-wide Urban Redevelopment Plan was developed and approved by the City Council.
Councilwoman Karen Clark summed up the City’s efforts when she said, “Competition for these funds is extremely stiff, and this was our first time. But we knew our community desperately needed help, so we forged new partnerships and worked together to tell our story. We are very grateful for what this process has taught us, and for these grants that will help us help ourselves.”
Community Development Block Grant ($800,000)
The CDBG project includes multiple activities in a designated area of Darien. The area boundary includes properties along Old River Road and Houston Street down to 4th Street W; east to Elbert Street; north to C.A. Devillers; and then following C.A. Devillers to its intersection with Old River Road.
The CDBG infrastructure component includes a new 10” water line from the Darien water tower which will connect with the water main on Old River Road. This will cause the current dead-end system to become a “loop-system” and significantly increase the water pressure to this neighborhood. The pressure upgrade is essential to meet the City’s fire safety codes and will include installation of additional fire hydrants in the area. Gate valves will also be installed in the system; allowing sections of the water main to be isolated for repairs, rather than turning off the water to the entire neighborhood when work needs to be done.
The CDBG infrastructure component also includes installing swales (depressions) and drop drains along the sides of Old River Road and Houston Street to 4th Street W to help drain storm water. Both streets will be resurfaced with a slight crown in the middle to help with drainage.
The CDBG housing component involves cleaning up 12 lots where there are vacant and dilapidated properties. The work will be done at no cost to the owners, and the property will be turned back over to the owners cleaned up and ready for infill development. The housing component also includes rehabilitation of 7 owner-occupied substandard homes in the target area.
Community Home Investment Program ($300,000)
The CHIP grant will be used to rehabilitate 7 owner-occupied substandard homes; but this money can be used anywhere in the City. Selection of the rehabilitation projects will be handled through a competitive application process that will be announced in December.
Revitalization Area Strategy ($200,000)
The City’s first Revitalization Area was designated as part of the ongoing planning for urban redevelopment. The boundaries include Old River Road and Houston Streets to 4th Street W; east to North Way (Hwy 17); north to Elbert Street; west and south to C.A. Devillers; and then north to the intersection with old River Road. The RAS project involves building 2 affordable homes on City-owned lots in the Revitalization Area; then making them available for purchase by qualified low-to-moderate income citizens. Planning for this project also envisions down payment assistance as part of the package.
For More Information, Interviews or Photo Opportunities:
Contact Frank Feild – (912) 437-6686
Article posted August 15, 2008.
