Title
Resolution to Approve a Grant Application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Grants Management for the Acquisition of Land and Site Improvements Along the Huron River at 841 Broadway Street for Up to 5 Million Dollars
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution approving the submission of a grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Grants Management (MDNRGM) for acquiring roughly 2.3 acres of riverfront and site improvements along the Huron River for up to 5 million dollars. A prior resolution was acted on at the July 6, 2021 Council meeting. The MDNRGM has reviewed the application and requires the Council resolution to include language about matching funds. The resolution has been updated to include that information, and to amend the total grant application to be for up to $5 million instead of $7 million in order to meet local match requirements. The local match will be covered by The Roxbury Group, developer of the site, who have requested $2 million from the DTE Foundation, which Roxbury has pledged to make good if the DTE Foundation does not contribute. Additionally, Roxbury has pledged to donate land to the project worth approximately $594,500.
Budget/Fiscal Impact:
MDNR Grant funds $5,000,000.00
Roxbury Group/ DTE Foundation Funds $2,000,000.00
Roxbury Group/ DTE Land Donation Value $ 594,500.00
Project Estimate $7,594,500.00
Should the City be awarded the grant, staff will return to City Council with the required budget amendments.
Staff
Prepared by: Adam Fercho, Parks Planner
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: John Fournier, Assistant City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City park system values riverfront property and access to the B2B trail and other river amenities;
Whereas, The Park and Recreation Open Space Plan identifies riverfront property as a desired acquisition criterion;
Whereas, Site Improvements and their ongoing maintenance would be the responsibility of the developer of the 841 Broadway Street site;
Whereas, Grants are available through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Grants Management to assist in acquiring land and amenities such as proposed in this grant application;
Whereas, The Park Advisory Commission recommended applying for this grant at their June 15, 2021 meeting;
Whereas, The Roxbury Group has made a financial commitment to the project in the amount of $2,000,000 in matching funds, in cash and/or force account, and to donate land in the estimated amount of $594,500; and
Whereas, If the grant is awarded, the City commits its local match and donated amounts from the following sources:
Roxbury Group / DTE Foundation $2,000,000 funds/force account
Roxbury Group /DTE $594,500 estimated value of land to be donated
Total $2,594,500;
RESOLVED, That City Council directs the City Administrator to apply to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Grants Management for the Acquisition of Land and Site Improvements Along the Huron River at 841 Broadway for up to $5,000,000.00; and
RESOLVED, That the City will make available a local match for the grant through financial commitments and donations in kind from The Roxbury Group, DTE, or DTE Foundation of $2,594,500 (34%) of a total $7,594,000 estimated project cost, during the 2022-2023 fiscal year.