City approves $400K in neighborhood improvement grants

The city of Springfield approved $400,356 in park improvement grants for eight neighborhood associations.

Funded through the city’s quarter-cent tax for public improvements, the Neighborhood Works grants are for small-scale projects. Applications were reviewed by city staff for feasibility and cost before being passed to an advisory council made up of neighborhood residents. The council’s recommendations were approved this month by City Manager Greg Burris and presented during City Council’s May 30 meeting, according to a news release.

The largest grant award was $95,880 for Bissett Neighborhood to install a 30-foot by 40-foot pavilion, as well as picnic tables, lighting and electrical service.

Other grants were:
    •    $77,930 for Tom Watkins Neighborhood to add four new lights in the center of its park, install a new disc golf course and improve drainage at the community center;
    •    $59,800 for Grant Beach Neighborhood to install new electrical service and lighting at the park pavilion, as well as installations and repairs at the sports field;
    •    $54,210 for Phelps Grove Neighborhood to expand parking, repair asphalt and install a new curb for two islands;
    •    $47,936 for Midtown Neighborhood to improve Washington Park by repairing parts of its basketball court, installing a new basketball goal, and putting a new coat of asphalt and bench seating at the tennis courts;
    •    $36,500 for Woodland Heights Neighborhood to add solar lighting at the Lafayette Park tennis court, as well as install electrical outlets at the Charlie Norr Community Center, the west side of the tennis court and near the pavilion;
    •    $18,500 for Doling Neighborhood to perform electrical upgrades at Giboney Cave; and
    •    $9,600 for West Central Neighborhood to install picnic tables and park benches at the Birthplace of Route 66 park.

The Neighborhood Works program issues grants annually. It has $500,000 set aside per year, $100,000 of which is withheld to cover any contingencies that may come up for projects, according to Public Works planner Dawne Gardner.