Following a public hearing, the Jay Town Council Monday night approved a resolution to allow grant writer and administrator Robin Phillips to move forward in submitting an application for a Community Development Block Grant Hurricane Sally Disaster Recovery funds for improvements to Bray-Hendricks Park in the amount of $5,479,939.96.
Improvements will include the construction of a community disaster response center multi-purpose building, to provide a central staging and recovery response site for residents as well as support crews following a disaster. The budget includes $5,064,939.96 for the construction of facilities and utilities; $240,000 for engineering, architecture and inspection; and $175,000 for administrative and environmental review.
Phillips said the purpose for the public hearing to let the public know the town intended to put in an application for the grant. Monday night was the first of two hearings that are required prior to submitting the application, due to the Department of Economic Opportunity by April 4.
“I think it’s an awesome opportunity,” said Councilwoman Jane Hayes. “It’s a great use because it will be a community response. Let’s face it, when Ivan came, that’s where everybody was set up.”
“We now have $5.4 million worth of associated parking lot, electrical, storm water and lighting,” said Jay Project Manager Eric Seib. “Along with that it all fits into the requirements that we are putting in with the building for that. We are super excited about that.”
Phillips said the communities in both Escambia County and Santa Rosa County are submitting applications for the funds. She reminded the council that the money could be used for sewer improvements if the town is awarded, but she thought the town would benefit far more by concentrating on the park.
“I think you would have a better chance if we concentrated on the park,” said Phillips. “The city of Marianna did something very similar to this with their (Hurricane Michael) money.”
The town intends on matching the project with $300,000 legislative appropriation the town has already received for the construction of the east road and parking lot as well as contributing $290,000 of town funds for civil and architectural design services.
Councilwoman Jane Hayes made a motion to approve a resolution to move forward, which was seconded by Councilwoman Nina Hendricks. The motion carried unanimously.
The next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 5 at Jay Town Hall. The public is invited.
