Commissioners Look at CDBG Project Proposals

The Marion County Commissioners last week got their first look at the projects proposed for funding through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) monies. The proposals include projects in the villages of LaRue, Morral, Prospect, and Green Camp, as well as Marion Township.

The CDBG funds come from the federal government and are administered by the State of Ohio. Marion County is expected to receive about $110,000.

Marion City/County Regional Planning, which handles the grants locally, presented brief overviews of the projects for the Commissioners, but a final decision has not been made on which projects will be funded.

The proposed projects include (the dollar figures are estimates only):

• LaRue – Construction of 62 linear feet of sidewalks on North High Street – $6,000
• Morral – Repair and make handicap accessible the restrooms at the village park – $13,000
• Morral – Construction of two storm drops to handle storm water and reduce flooding – $10,000
• Prospect – Construction of sidewalks in various areas – $54,000
• Green Camp – Street re-surfacing on Erie Street ($16,000) and County Street ($12,000)
• Marion Township – Completion of Phase II of the Oak Knolls project to reduce flooding in this low income area – $64,000

Two other projects were also submitted that could be funding by the county funds or by the funds received by the City of Marion. They included:

• Marion County Historical Society – $78,000 to repair the entire west side of the building to halt water leakage. A smaller amount, $44,000, would repair the west steps and landing where the worst damage resides.
• Marion Palace Theatre – $5,600 for the installation of an automatic door to allow for improved handicap access to the theatre.

Regional Planning is also asking that the County and the City put aside some funds for demolition of dangerous homes and for emergency home repair.

The Regional Planning Commission met following the Commissioners meeting to discuss the projects. They are recommending the Commissioners fund the Green Camp streets re-surfacing and the Oak Knolls project. They also asked that an attempt be made to include the storm drops for Morral if it is possible.

The County Commissioners will made a preliminary decision on the project the first week of May and a final decision will be made following a public hearing on May 15 at 9:00am.