Developer also gets money for 2 Cross St.
Dutchess County on Wednesday (April 5) announced that it plans to distribute more than $2.4 million in federal grants for community projects, including money to replace sidewalks on South Avenue in Beacon.
Beacon will receive $183,352 to replace deteriorated sidewalks on the west side of South Avenue between Davies and Wolcott avenues, the county said.
In addition, the developer Hudson Todd LLC will get $199,000 for the construction at 2 Cross St. of two of nine units of affordable housing designated for seniors. The building will have 18 units and commercial space.
This $184,000 is being awarded to Beacon as part of the county’s annual Community Development Block Grant program, and is being allocated to the repair of the South Avenue sidewalk because, as indicated by the city administrator at the Oct. 24 City Council meeting, “South Davies called us and said, can you guys fix the ones on our side of the street.”
This grant is intended to “develop viable, more resilient communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income people and communities.” Yet, Beacon consistently spends this money on uninspired infrastructure projects, while other municipalities build accessible playgrounds and public bathrooms, provide services for vulnerable adults and at-risk youth, and support low-income residents with direct financial assistance.
No one spoke at the Nov. 21 public hearing, which is intended to “to provide residents, particularly low- and moderate-income residents, an opportunity to suggest projects for CDBG funds,” suggesting that the city failed to adequately inform and engage its citizenry.