KC’s neighborhood grant program could give out as much as $10 million. Here’s what to know
Since Rebuild KC’s neighborhood grant application went live, the city has received more than 300 applications for projects that will improve the quality of Kansas City neighborhoods, according to City of KCMO spokesperson Maggie Green.
In the mix are applications for street resurfacing, environmental infrastructure, affordable housing units and nuisance abatement.
There’s still time to apply, as the deadline was extended to March 22. If you have a project in mind, you can look through The Star’s breakdown of what you need before submitting your application, which you can do here.
A reminder: The program is slated to get $10 million in the city budget depending on the council’s approval of the budget. Depending on the size and cost of each project, they could get started as early as this spring and summer.
Here’s what else to know before applying.
WHAT IS THE CITY LOOKING FOR IN AN APPLICATION?
The program is all about neighborhood connectivity and creating more vibrant communities. We know that sounds vague, because it is.
The city is putting an emphasis on projects that “benefit the public good and better the neighborhood,” which could be anything from building a playground to adding a bench to a park. If it improves someone’s life, the city will give it consideration.
There will be an internal team made up of representatives from different departments including public works, the neighborhood and code team and their environmental quality group. They’ll all review each application behind closed doors and determine which ones will be approved based on how the projects will benefit the community.
HOW MANY APPLICATIONS CAN I SEND?
There’s no cap on how many projects you can send applications for, but the city may call you or your neighborhood association in for an interview to determine which of your proposed projects has a higher priority, as there will be a limited amount of funding available for Rebuild KC.
If you forget a piece in your first application, you can send a new application that includes what was missing, and they’ll work with the updated information. Green emphasized that looking over your application and making sure you have all of your materials before hitting submit is important.
DO CERTAIN PROJECTS RECEIVE PRIORITY OVER OTHERS?
Green said the team will look for how each project benefits the public good, and that the reviewers will continue to emphasize that need as they review applications, whether it’s a project for a community garden or for building affordable housing units.
They’ve received applications from all walks of life: neighborhood associations, nonprofit and for profit organizations and everyday citizens.
What other questions do you have about this program or city services? Let us know at kcq@kcstar.com or with the form below.
