NCFPD to seek CDBG funding for ADA parking

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

The North County Fire Protection District will be seeking Community Development Block Grant funding to provide parking areas meeting Americans with Disability Act standards.

The NCFPD board voted 5-0 Tuesday, Oct. 25, to approve a resolution authorizing staff to submit a request for CDBG funding to San Diego County’s Department of Housing and Community Development Services. The application will request funding for ADA parking at Station 3 in Rainbow and at the NCFPD administrative headquarters on Main Avenue.

“We are going to submit an application for grant funding,” NCFPD fire chief Keith McReynolds said. “Hopefully we’re successful.”

CDBG projects are intended to revitalize lower-income communities. The proposals are selected based on criteria which include benefit to lower-income residents, health and safety considerations, the ability to leverage block grant funds into additional revenue and availability of alternate funding sources. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides funding for the program.

The estimated cost to upgrade the Station 3 parking area is $150,000. The estimated cost for the administration facility parking work is $60,000. The fire district grant request will be for $230,000 to cover the possibility of construction cost increases.

The projects may or may not be exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review. The federal funding makes them subject to National Environmental Protection Act review which could include a finding of no significant impact. Any allocations for the projects will include expenses for environmental review.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at [email protected].