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).
The City Commission, during its March 13, 2017 meeting, recommended the City submit a grant 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 responsible for $500,000 in funding and Alachua County would match $500,000.
The Board of County Commissioners, during their March 28, 2017 meeting, voted to approve the City's project and award funding. The County has developed a proposed interlocal agreement for the funds, which is provided for the City Commission's consideration.
Critical dates for the agreement state the City shall begin construction of the project by Nov. 1, 2018 and the anticipated completion date of the project is Sept. 30, 2020. City staff recommends the construction to begin in Fiscal Year 2017-2018 with the City to utilize its Wild Spaces Public Places revenues as matching funds. |