City groups request grants

Representatives of seven city agencies are asking for almost $1.8 million in Community Development Block Grant money for fiscal 2006, which begins Oct. 1.

Representatives presented the requests to the Community Development Commission on Wednesday. CDBG money is intended for the development and improvement of low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. Projects in large portions of central and northeast Columbia are eligible for the money.

A summary of the requests:

n The Office of Emergency Management wants $54,000 to replace outdated emergency sirens. According to the request, the sirens have a recommended use of 15 to 20 years. The city is using a number of sirens older than that, and many are obsolete.

n The Parks and Recreation Department would like to make improvements at Douglass Park. It asked for $85,000 to improve the park’s basketball courts and $99,000 to fix Douglass Pool and adjacent plumbing. The request says the pool loses about four inches of water a day because of its cracked fiberglass shell.

The request also notes the pool’s condition has caused maintenance costs to rise. Mike Griggs, parks services manager, said the water bill for the park increased about $750 during the past year.

n The Public Works Department wants $280,000 to repair Hardin Street, in the central city, to prevent water from pooling on the pavement during and after heavy rains. Crews would repave the street and add curbs and gutters.

If the proposal is approved, the improved street would serve as an “anchor” for future projects of the same nature.

The department is also asking for $475,000 to install sidewalks on the north side of Worley Street, from the Sanford Kimpton Building to Bernadette Drive.

n The Water and Light Department wants $142,100 for three projects for the Columbia Terminal Railroad. Two would fix crossings at Wilkes Boulevard and Fay Street, while the third would improve drainage and complete a cleanup of the rail corridor between College Avenue and Fay Street. Supervising engineer Christian Johanningmeier said the projects would make the corridor safer for area residents.

n The Columbia Fire Department wants $539,000 to replace a fire engine for Station 2, 1212 W. Worley St., which serves CDBG-eligible areas.

n The Planning and Development Department wants $75,000 for its Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program. The program appraises houses and aids in inspection costs. Department representative Vicki Turner said the goal was to prevent houses from falling into disrepair.

n The Office of Protective Inspections wants $40,000 to destroy dilapidated buildings. The money would be used to aid families unable to pay for demolition of uninhabitable properties.

The commission will meet again June 8 to hear funding applications from nonprofit organizations. It will send its recommendations to the Columbia City Council on June 29.