The city of Shawano is seeking $1 million in Community Development Block Grant public facility funds to improve water and sewer systems on four segments of roads.
According to Jennifer Trader with MSA Professional Services, three of the roads will be South Union Street, South Hamlin Street and Maiden Lane, all from Richmond Street to Randall Street. The fourth street will be East Maurer Street from Maiden Lane to Evergreen Street, she said during a public hearing held Dec. 16.
Street repavement, sidewalk improvements and curb gutters, sanitary sewer main and water main replacements for all four streets will be addressed, Trader said. Some storm sewer improvements will also be done.
Trader said residential and business displacement will not happen while these projects are happening, if the city gets the CDBG funds.
The total project is expected to cost $1.59 million, so the city will be responsible for paying the remaining $590,000.
The CDBG program was created through the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, according to Trader. The Wisconsin Department of Administration has been administering the funds since 1982, she said.
The purpose for CDBG funds to help areas where there is low to moderate income housing and public facilities, Trader said. The state receives about $28 million annually in CDBG funds from the federal government.
“The goal is always job creation,” Trader said, whether it’s jobs for people making the street improvements or something else.
There had been grants available that were coronavirus-related during the pandemic, Trader said. There are grants available for planning on a local or regional scale for economic development, but the city is not currently applying for any of those.
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
