Grants to aid in completion of city projects

Jul. 14—Several projects in the city are a step closer to completion after the Sanford City Council approved amendments to ordinances for a Community Development Block Grant to fund a neighborhood revitalization project and a memorandum of understanding to accept a grant that will help stabilize a creek that runs through the city.

At a previous council meeting, a public hearing was conducted on the Linden Avenue housing project, a revitalization of a building located at 226 Linden Ave. to provide five residential units for homeless individuals.

"We need to approve some additional funding that the state agreed to," Community Development Manager Karen Kennedy said.

Kennedy said council was being asked to approve ordinance and budget amendments to allow the grant funds to be allocated. The additional $241,967 will be used for infrastructure improvements including sidewalks, curb and gutter work along Linden Avenue and a portion of North First Street. With the budget amendments, the total cost of the project is $991,967.

Council learned that the money was needed because the project had taken 12-18 months longer than expected and there were several cost overruns during that time period. The state approved the additional funding for the city and the Sanford Housing Authority to complete the project.

"We hope to have a ribbon-cutting soon," Kennedy added.

Mayor Chet Mann said the project was important.

"We need the project," he said. "We have a much-improved property that was an abandoned dwelling before."

Councilman Jimmy Haire said he was concerned with the cost overruns.

"In the national media, all they talk about is supply chain and inflation," he said. "I just wonder of some people — if it's a municipality or sometime of government — that they figure they've got deep pockets."

Council also agreed to approve Phase B of the Triangle Innovation Point water and sewer improvements. City Engineer Paul Weeks said the bulk of the funding comes from the Golden Leaf Foundation.

"Golden Leaf knows this is a fast-moving project," Weeks said. "They're prepared to release up to $5 million for Phase B."

The project will provide water and sewer to several locations including the Moncure Megasite, which will soon be home to Vietnamese automaker VinFast.

Weeks also spoke with council about a grant that will be used to address issues with Little Buffalo Creek, which flows through downtown Sanford.

The grant of more than $1.1 million from the North Carolina Emergency Management Agency will help decrease flooding and erosion through placement of culverts near Weatherspoon Street.

After the special meeting concluded, Sanford City Council also held its regularly scheduled workshop session to discuss items for future city meeting agendas.

Among the items discussed were updates on citizens and developer input regarding system development fees, health insurance, developer's agreements and the Patterson Creek sewer basin.