Summary Alachua County has set aside $3 million of Wild Spaces Public Places funds to be received by Alachua County for the purpose of municipalities to apply for joint funding opportunities. In February, Alachua County issued a request for applications from municipalities to apply for the joint project grant due March 31, 2017. Only the nine (9) municipalities in Alachua County are eligible to apply and projects must be to:
1. acquire and improve environmentally sensitive lands to protect drinking water sources, water quality, and wildlife habitat; or
2. create and improve parks and recreational facilities.
The grant is a 50/50 matching venture, which will require the City to provide 50-percent matching funds. Such matching funds can be City-received Wild Spaces Public Places revenue, General Fund dollars or other grants such as the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP).
After evaluation of the grant criteria and current City assets, City staff recommends the City submit application to construct two (2) multipurpose fields at Legacy Park and an outdoor amphitheater, as well as support facilities such as parking, walkways, concessions and restrooms.
Preliminary probable costs for the project are estimated at $1 million. Therefore, the City would be applying for $500,000 in funding from Alachua County and will match with $500,000. If awarded funding, the City would enter into an interlocal agreement with Alachua County. County staff has indicated they anticipate award of funding by June 2017 and funding would be available post Oct. 1, 2017. This timeline would provide an opportunity for the City to budget matching funds accordingly.
The proposed project is consistent with the City Commission's adopted Legacy Park Master Plan. |