The City has issued a call for project applications for the next round of Neighborhood Works program funding with approximately $1 million available through the 2019-2024 round of the program
First launched in 2016 and funded through the 1/4-cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax, Neighborhood Works is intended to fund small-scale capital improvements within officially registered neighborhoods. The program gives residents the opportunity to identify projects they believe will offer the greatest benefit to their area.
Examples of eligible projects include small-scale stormwater drainage improvements, alley improvements, street markings for bikes, small sidewalk improvements and trail connections, and updates to parks such as playground equipment, sidewalks and parking lots.
Individual projects are limited to $100,000 or less and must take place on city-owned property or right-of-way. Since the program began, it has funded 21 individual neighborhood projects totaling $1.5 million.
.Projects for the 2019-2024 program are planned to be selected in two application cycles. Approximately $600,000-$650,000 will be allocated for this first cycle. All leftover funds will be carried over and added to the balance available for a second program funding cycle expected to take place in 2023.
Applicants to the upcoming cycle must be a neighborhood association officially recognized by the City of Springfield six months prior to the application deadline. A neighborhood representative must have attended one of two mandatory application workshops.
The deadline to submit an application is March 10. Applications were sent to the registered neighborhoods in December.
All project applications received by the application deadline will be reviewed for eligibility and feasibility. City staff will then prepare cost estimates for each project and forward eligible applications on to the Neighborhood Advisory Council for evaluation and scoring. The NAC’s recommendations will be presented to the City Manager who will finalize the projects to be funded.
For more information, contact Alana Owen, senior planner for the City of Springfield, at 864-1831 or aowen@springfieldmo.gov.