The city of Apopka has earned a $750,000 grant for Alonzo Williams Park improvements that will include the construction of a new community center.
The city received the grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). The DEO sent a letter to the city dated November 17, announcing that the state has completed its review of Apopka’s fiscal year 2015 Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for funding.
According to the letter, the final score for the city’s application is “within fundable range, and as such is granted a subaward in the amount of $750,000.”
Besides a community center, planned improvements at Alonzo Williams Park, located on South Hawthorne Avenue in Apopka, include expanded parking, a covered drop-off and pick-up area, bathroom facilities accessible from inside the center and the outside park.
The City Council had their first hearing on the CDBG application in July 2015. Last March, the City Council had their second hearing on the application as well as for the city to match $50,000 if it earns the $750,000. The CDBG application deadline was scheduled for April 25.
St. Augustine-based Fred Fox Enterprises wrote the CDBG application.
Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the CDBG Program is a federal program that provides funding for housing and community development activities. The Department of Economic Opportunity administers the state program in Florida through the Small Cities CDBG Program, which awards money to local government in small urban and rural areas.
CDBG has a points-based application process.
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