Niagara Falls Community Development Department announces 2017 action plan schedule

Spending strategy built through participatory budgeting

The Niagara Falls Community Development Department is announcing the 2017 action plan schedule, including an expanded public participation process for local residents.

"The strengths of our action plan are public participation and transparency. This is an opportunity for citizens to affect community change and to see real results," said Seth Piccirillo, director of Niagara Falls Community Development.

The 2017 action plan participation process includes eight neighborhood meetings throughout the city, increased from four in past years; an online/paper citizen survey; a competitive application and a public hearing all prior to Niagara Falls City Council review.

Niagara Falls Community Development's annual action plans are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, through the Community Development Block Grant, HOME and Emergency Solutions programs. Based on recent years' funding, the 2017 action plan includes an estimated $2.7 million participatory budget.

Schedule

Applications/ Citizen Surveys

Available at the Department of Community Development, 1022 Main St. (Carnegie Building), 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, or online at www.nf-cd.org (beginning Oct. 31).

Neighborhood Planning Meetings

• 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, LaSalle Public Library, 8728 Buffalo Ave.
• 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, City Hall Council Chambers, 745 Main St.
• 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, Maple Avenue School, Room No. 5 (use door No. 1, off main parking lot)
• Noon, Wednesday, Nov. 9, NACC, Niagara Room, 1201 Pine Ave.
• 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, Doris Jones Family Resource Bldg., 3001 9th St.
• Noon, Thursday, Nov. 10, John Duke Center, 1201 Hyde Park Blvd.
• 9 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15, Neighborhood Housing Services, 479 16th St.
• 1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16, LaSalle Senior Facility, 9501 Colvin Blvd., Building B
• •Noon, Friday, Dec. 16, application submission deadline
• •Wednesday, Jan. 25, draft plan and budget available for review
• •Thursday, Feb. 2, presentation of draft 2017 annual plan and budget; 6 p.m. Public hearing at City Hall, 745 Main St., Council Chambers

• Feb. 2 through Mar 6: 30-day public comment period
• March/April: City Council Approval

Highlights: Recent Action Plan Success Stories

Through strong community partnerships, recent Niagara Falls Community Development action plans are responsible for:

•156 first-time homebuyer closing cost grants since FFY 2011

•136 completed housing renovations since FFY 2011

•Demolition of 101 blighted structures since FFY 2012

•Creation of the Walnut Avenue Homes (Fifth through Seventh streets)

•Creation of the Gill Creek, Hyde Park and South Junior playgrounds, and improvements at D'Amelio/Center Court Park

•Creation of the NF Skate Park (Hyde Park)

•Upcoming improvements at 70^th Street Park (including a new playground), Jerauld Park and the Hyde Park baseball diamonds

•Relocation of O/N BOCES' health science career training program in Niagara Falls

•Support for youth programming, including the Francis Center and Niagara Arts and Cultural Center's summer programs

•Support of rapid rehousing for homeless individuals through YWCA Carolyn's, and Community Missions of the Niagara Frontier