Macomb city council members are reviewing the city administration’s proposal for spending money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Macomb is due to receive more than $2.3 million. City Administrator Scott Coker said the city has already received half of the money and the rest should come in this summer.
The administration’s recommendation for spending it:
- Public works projects: $1,494,642.02
- Employee bonus/hazard pay: $390,000
- Residential facade grant program: $350,000
- Thorpe and Piper pocket parks: $60,000
- Local non-profits grants: $50,000
- Small business competition: $25,000
The public works committee will determine what infrastructure projects to recommend.
The administration said the residential facade program will be for owner-occupied homes. Second ward city council member John Vigezzi called that proposal a great idea.
“There are a lot of houses – I do a lot of walking around my ward – that need a little bit of TLC. I think this would be a great way to go ahead and help improve the neighborhoods,” Vigezzi said.
Details regarding the facade grant program are still being worked out. The grants will be capped, perhaps at up to $10,000 per home, and income restrictions would apply. The work eligible for the grants could include painting, structure stabilization, roofing, landscaping, and other improvements that are visible from the public right-of-way.
The city council must still approve the administration’s proposals.
According to the administration, the federal government has said ARPA’s funding is for:
- Fighting the pandemic and supporting families and businesses struggling with its public health and economic impacts
- Maintaining vital public services, even amid declines in revenue resulting from the crisis
- Building a strong, resilient, and equitable recovery by making investments that support long-term growth and opportunity
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