Clearwater wants to hear ideas from residents on improving the East Gateway, North Greenwood and Lake Bellevue neighborhoods.

CLEARWATER – Residents in the East Gateway, North Greenwood and Lake Bellevue neighborhoods have an opportunity during two public meetings to comment on priorities for how federal money should be spent to improve their neighborhoods.

The first meeting is set for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday (March 29) at the Ross Norton Recreation Complex, 1426 S Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. The second meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday (March 30) at the North Greenwood Recreation Center, 900 N Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Staff from the city of Clearwater and Wade Trim, a consulting firm contracted by the city, will attend the meetings. Residents will have an opportunity to express their opinion about needs in their neighborhoods and help prioritize programs and projects.

A short survey to help identify housing and community service priorities is also on the city website. Residents can take the survey by going to myclearwater.com. The deadline to submit the survey is April 8.

The public’s comments from the meetings and surveys will be used to develop the city’s Five-Year Consolidated Plan that identifies goals and proposes how the city will use funds to be received over the next five years or the program years, 2016-2021.

A major component of the Five-Year Consolidated Plan involves providing opportunities for public input and consultation with stakeholders, including nonprofits, service agencies and other public sector entities who are beneficiaries or partners with the city of Clearwater in the implementation of federally funded programs and projects in the East Gateway, North Greenwood and Lake Bellevue neighborhoods. The plan is due to the feds in August 2016.

Monies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is used to finance housing programs to help Clearwater homeowners make code improvements to their homes or purchase a home in the city. Funding can also be allocated for public facility projects or public service projects, such as elderly assistance, youth initiatives, homeless programs, mentoring and other social services.

For information, contact Diane Durr, the city of Clearwater’s housing manager, at (727) 562-4032 or diane.durr@myclearwater.com.

For information about Clearwater, go to clearwater-fl.com.

Clearwater | North Greenwood | East Gateway | Lake Bellevue | TB Reporter

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