Harrisburg plans to apply for state COVID relief money to support park renovation projects, including one at 7th and Radnor park in Uptown (pictured).
Harrisburg hopes to receive millions of dollars in state COVID relief funds and is asking for the public’s input on its proposal.
The city plans to apply for around $18 million in funds under the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Community Development Block Grant-COVID (CDBG-CV) program.
It is proposing to use the funding for park, pool and Public Safety Building renovations.
This grant program is separate from the federal American Rescue Plan Act money that the city has received.
In total, Pennsylvania was allocated $71,493,980 from the federal government’s CARES Act program to address COVID. Harrisburg will apply to utilize a portion of that money. Under the state’s guidelines, the city can use the money for public improvements and public facilities, public services, housing rehab and economic development. All projects must help respond to the pandemic.
Harrisburg has applied for COVID relief funding to support the following projects:
- Renovate 7th and Radnor Park: $4 million
- Renovate public bathrooms and waiting room in the Public Safety Building: $1.5 million
- Renovate Sunshine (Morrison) Park: $3 million
- Renovate the Jackson Lick pool by turning it into a spray park: $5 million
- Renovate Rumson playground: $2 million
- Renovate the court area of Reservoir Park by adding handball courts: $1.1 million
- Add a “spray park alley” to Reservoir Park: $1.5 million
- Renovate the showers and bedroom areas of Fire Stations 1 and 2: $100,000
According to Dennise Hill, director of the city’s Department of Building and Housing Development, the proposed park projects address the need for social distancing and outdoor recreation during COVID.
The city must submit its application to DCED by Aug. 1.
Harrisburg previously received CARES Act funds directly from the federal government during the earlier stages of COVID. The money supported small business grant programs and a rent relief initiative. However, this round of funding would come to Harrisburg from the state’s allotment of CARES money.
The community will have the chance to comment on the grant application at two public hearings on July 18 and 19. Both will be held virtually on Zoom from 6 to 7 p.m. The public comment period will remain open through July 29.
Any residents with disabilities or limited English proficiency that need special accommodations to access the meetings can contact the city’s Grant Director’s office at least 72 hours in advance at 717-255-3068 or via email at rvollmer@harrisburgpa.gov.
For the Zoom meeting login information for the public meetings, visit the city’s website.
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