From left, Brent Sheldon, Ward 1 city councilman; Jeff Lehman, city public works director; Crystal Surdyk, city development director; Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist; and Anthony Dolce, city council president; stand along Bowen Street where curb, sidewalk and driveway apron improvement work will start later this month. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

Curb, sidewalk and driveway apron improvement work will be started later this month along Bowen Street in Jamestown.

On Tuesday, city officials announced the improvement project along Bowen Street. Jeff Lehman, city public works director, said the project is being funded through $146,775 in Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He said the work will be done on Bowen Street between Newton Avenue and Price Street. He added the work will start the last week of September and should take two to three weeks, depending on the weather. The work will be done by R-Patti Concrete & Excavating.

“It’s a great improvement to the neighborhoods and the neighbors love it,” he said. “It makes for a more walkable neighborhood.”

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist said he is excited the repairs will be made along Bowen Street.

“On this block, it’s much needed,” he said. “It will improve the character of the neighborhood.”

Anthony Dolce, council president, said he is very pleased that city officials had the funding to move this project forward.

“I’m happy and pleased to get this done this season,” he said.

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 year.

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.