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Ogdensburg will seek $400,000 grant to improve homes on Ford Avenue

Posted 9/14/16

By JIMMY LAWTON OGDENSBURG – Ogdensburg will seek a $400,000 Community Block Development Grant to rehabilitate properties on Ford Avenue. Ogdensburg City Council gave authorization to the city …

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Ogdensburg will seek $400,000 grant to improve homes on Ford Avenue

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG – Ogdensburg will seek a $400,000 Community Block Development Grant to rehabilitate properties on Ford Avenue.

Ogdensburg City Council gave authorization to the city manager to pursue the grant, which will allow qualifying owner-occupied properties to apply for grants to rehabilitate their homes.

“The purpose of the Community Development Block Grant Program is to provide support for low- and moderate-income residents to perform housing rehabilitation to eliminate unsafe and unhealthy conditions,” the resolution says.

City Planner Andrea Smith said such grants have been very successful in the past. She said similar grants were received for Ford Street and New York Avenue, two of the city’s main streets.

Councilor Daniel Skamperle questioned why the city did not apply for the full $500,000 allowed under the program given the success of the program in the past.

Smith said there has been low interest from contractors in regard to performing the work. She said that while there is certainly need, it would be unrealistic for the city to complete $500,000 in rehabilitation work at homes on Ford Avenue within in the two year deadline.

She said the contractors that have participated have been excellent, but noted that only a few contractors were interested in taking on the jobs.

The funding is expected to pay for the rehabilitation of about 10 to 12 properties.

Ogdensburg councilors offered their support for the work and commended Smith for her efforts.