Washington’ Parks and Recreation Department will apply for a $10,000 grant from North Carolina’s Adopt-A-Trail grant program.
The City Council, during its meeting Jan. 14, gave its approval for the department to seek the grant. The money will be used to construct a canoe/kayak launch at the Havens Gardens boat ramp, recently renovated by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. The launch area would be an access point to the Tar-Pamlico Blue Trail and connect two existing trails.
If the department’s application is approved, the grant would be awarded in October. The project’s cost is not expected to exceed $10,000, but any additional costs associated with the project would be included in the 2013-2014 budget, according to a memorandum from Kristi H. Roberson, parks and recreation manager, to the mayor and council.
No “matching” funds from the city are required, according to the memorandum.
The department will partner with the Pamlico-Tar River
Foundation for grant application assistance, as well as involvement in the Blue Trail project. The Blue Trail project’s goal is to increase public access to the Tar-Pamlico River watershed.
The required Coastal Area Management Act permit for the project has been obtained.
The council also conducted the first of two required public hearings on seeking funds through the Community Development Block Grant program. The city may apply for up to $1 million per grant cycle, according to Kevin Richards.
Grants may be awarded in economic-development categories such as building reuse and drinking water or wastewater-treatment projects. Loans are available for publicly owned industrial shell buildings.
“Again, this is the first public hearing. It’s basically — this is what CDBG is. Our second public hearing will a lot more detail of the project that will be presented,” Richards told the council.
That second public hearing likely will be scheduled for February, he said.
“Do we have a specific project in mind at this point in time, Kevin?” asked Councilman Doug Mercer.
“Yes, we do have a project in mind,” Richards replied.
“Would it be appropriate to say what the project is?” asked Mayor Archie Jennings.
“Not at this public hearing,” Richards said.
Richards said project details would be discussed at the second public hearing.