Starting next month, improvements will be made to one block of Van Buren Street in the city of Jamestown.

With federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant program, a $92,000 street improvement project will be done by R.Patti Concrete & Excavating. Ryan Patti of R. Patti Concrete & Excavating said the project will start next month and will take about two weeks to complete.

Jeff Lehman, city public works director, said the CDBG target neighborhood infrastructure program will fund the project that will improve sidewalks, curbs and aprons along Van Buren Street, between Lakeview and Prendergast avenues. The program provides upgrades of substandard curbing, sidewalks and streets in designated areas of the city.

Lehman said the project was originally scheduled to happen last year when similar improvements were made on Price Street.

“It was part of the plan last year to do both streets. I’m glad we were able to come back to do the work this year,” said Anthony Dolce, council president and Ward 2 councilman.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist said it’s important for city officials to improve the conditions of city streets when possible.

“I’m excited that we’re going to be able to make these much needed repairs,” he said.

“(The repairs) are much needed across the city as we try to make it a much more walkable city.”

The city annually qualifies for grant funding from HUD through the CDBG program for housing and community development projects.

In order to receive funding, the city is required to submit a consolidated plan that outlines community needs and how grant funds will be prioritized.

City officials will submit its action plan to HUD later this summer.

Community officials in New York state use the CDBG funding to address a wide range of needs, which enables local governments to support affordable housing initiatives and expand economic development.

The CDBG program provides municipalities in New York with critical funding for transformative and unique development projects and needed funding to leverage outside investment in job creation projects.

The funds continue to play a critical role in facilitating local economic development in Upstate New York and helping local governments succeed.

HUD officials have three purposes for the use of CDBG funding.

First is to prevent or eliminate slums or blight; second is to benefit low-to-moderate-income residents; and third is to meet a particular urgent need for the municipality. The CDBG program stipulates that at least 70% of funding must be used for low-to-moderate-income benefit activities, and no more than 30% of funds can be used for slums and blighted areas.