May 7, 2009
Stimulus dollars start flowing into Chandler; more sought
By Mayor Boyd Dunn
Like communities across our state and nation Chandler is receiving for federal stimulus package funds that will help to jump-start our economic engine and provide for new jobs. City staff is working on a number of projects that are in various funding stages.
We have been working in partnership with the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and other entities to obtain these funds. Some of the money comes from established federal programs or was passed through Maricopa Association of Governments. Residents should be aware that the City is working hard to secure funding that will make an impact and that makes sense for our situation here in the community.
Now more than ever, providing affordable transportation to citizens is critical and approximately $20 million is planned to go toward transit and transportation initiatives in Chandler alone. This will include $15 million to improve public transportation on Arizona Avenue in the form of bus rapid transit to connect people throughout Chandler with the Metro light rail line in Mesa. Additionally, nearly $6 million will help improve existing roads throughout the City.
The City has also received more than $2 million in energy conservation funds. Much of the monies will be used for building efficiency improvements and other renewable and/or energy efficient projects. The more efficient we can make our many municipal buildings, the more cost savings we will realize in the years ahead. We are also exploring a number of options for the use of solar panels on City projects.
With the economy taking its toll on the financial well being of so many residents, we have also obtained nearly $600,000 for improvements to the City’s public housing stock and $575,000 to assist in assist homeless prevention efforts, transitional shelter and family stabilization programs in the community.
These funds are over and above the $2,415,100 in Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds we recently received for low-to-moderate-income families. This program offers down payment assistance, rental housing and assistance in purchasing and rehabilitating approximately 17 vacant, foreclosed homes throughout the community.
As you can imagine, these funds will have a direct impact on the lives of our residents, many of whom are the hardest hit by the recession. Our City departments are working hard to turn these particular funds into tangible services that can make a real difference in the life of a Chandler family.
There are many grants available for public safety projects and Chandler is competing for those with other cities across the country. These grants would go toward facilities and equipment upgrades, along with the potential for additional public safety personnel.
The construction of Chandler’s City Hall is another good stimulus project for the community. Five hundred new construction jobs have been created for the building of the complex. And it is estimated that with those new wages it will have an economic impact to our City of $4 million and more than $90 million statewide. And because we bid the project in a slow economy, we received a construction price $4 million under our original estimates. City Hall should also boost new private development along the Arizona Avenue corridor.
These are extraordinary times for this country. They are also very stressful times. But as you can see, we are working to do all we can to provide a boost to the community to ease the economic pain. I look forward to the ongoing development of these projects and a far brighter tomorrow for the people of Chandler. |