BLOCK GRANT PROGRAMS A BOON TO CITY PAST 10 YEARS

In the 10 years Cape Girardeau has participated in the Missouri Community Development Block Grant program, more than $4 million in state grants have gone for neighborhood improvements in South Cape Girardeau and Red Star districts.

The intent of the block grant program is to provide funds for cities to improve blighted conditions in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods through housing rehabilitation and infrastructure improvements.

The program also is used to create jobs for low- and moderate-income individuals. Funding for the program is provided to the state by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

City officials report that since 1982, the program has resulted in the rehabilitation of 113 homes and the improvement of 17 streets and two alleys with about two miles of high-quality pavement.

The city's current project is in the College-Jefferson Neighborhood, where 12 homes have been rehabilitated and another five are under contract, said Steve Williams, the city's housing assistance coordinator.

Williams said an additional eight houses are expected to be rehabilitated this year, for a total of 25 with the two-year program. The program also includes separation of the combined storm and sanitary sewers in the area.

The state last year approved the city's grant application for $800,000 for the project, which allows eligible low- to moderate-income property owners to receive up to $12,000 to rehabilitate their homes.

The city will contribute about $280,000 in cash, labor and materials to the program.

Some of the city funds will be allocated to correct two sewer problems in the area. A private Park Avenue sewer line will be replaced with a public line, and the city also will begin work to separate south-side combination storm and sanitary sewers.

Of the grant, $230,000 has been earmarked for the sewer work, with the remaining $570,000 allocated for home improvements.

Currently, 40 of the 51 easements necessary for the sewer projects have been acquired.

Along with the Community Development Block Grant program, the city's Economic Development Block Grants have been used to fund projects to assist General Sign Co., Tri-Con Industries, Resin Exchange, and Dana Corp.

The city also recently received a grant to provide $158,200 in funding for rehabilitation of qualified rental units in the east-central section of the city, a program that will begin in the next few months, Williams said.