Sandy Springs Celebrates Federal Grant Program

Staff Report

The Sandy Springs City Council on Tuesday marked the 40th anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) with a proclamation declaring Aug. 22, 2014, as Sandy Springs Community Development Block Grant Fair Housing Day.

The CDBG program provides annual grants to cities, counties and states to develop strong communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and opportunities to expand economic opportunities, principally for low and moderate-income people, the city said in its press release.

The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Sandy Springs completed its first 5-year Consolidated Plan in 2008. Sandy Springs initiated its first CDBG Grant project in late 2009, with a comprehensive sidewalk assessment and design plan targeting areas along the Roswell Road corridor.

In its utilization of CDBG funds, the city has been able to leverage its Capital Improvement Projects moneys to complete sidewalk networks in critical target areas benefitting low and moderate income individuals by providing improved access to public services, commercial areas, public transit, and community facilities, improving overall pedestrian safety.

Among those projects: Pitts, Ison and Roswell Road intersections, Dalrymple Road to the city’s northern boundary at the Chattahoochee River and Hightower Trail. Construction is currently underway for phase two of the Roswell Road multi-year sidewalk project, encompassing portions of Roswell Road from Northridge to Roberts Drive. The work includes sidewalk upgrades to current accessiblity standards, installation of pedestrian street lighting and landscaping.

Since 1974, CDBG has invested $144 billion dollars in communities nationwide. Sandy Springs has received $3,799,019.00 in CDBG funding.

(Photo: Patch file)