NOTICE OF
INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
DATE:
April 21,
2025
RESPONSIBLE
ENTITY: Redevelopment Authority of the
City of Butler
(on
behalf of the City of Butler)
ADDRESS: 129 West Cunningham Street, Butler, PA 16001
TELEPHONE: (724)
283-0116
On or about April 30 - May 7, 2025 the
City of Butler will authorize the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler
to submit a request to the Department of Community and Economic Development
(DCED) for the release of 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under
Title I, Section 104(g)(42 U.S.G. 5304(g) of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake the following project:
- Parks Recreation Facilities - Fr. Marinaro Park: $56,498 - CDBG funds will be leveraged as
matching funds along with other state and local funding for one large project. A number of improvements are planned under
this multi-funding sources grant, which includes the purchase and installation
of asphalt sidewalks; the installation of one (1) wood-frame pavilion with
raised concrete platforms near the location of the new playground area; the
resurfacing of the existing basketball court; the re-striping of the basketball
court; the installation of 6' x 10' high fences at the baseball/softball field
& basketball court; the installation and maintenance of erosion and
sedimentation controls; the installation of lighting features and signage;
grading; landscaping & site restoration; and the planting of approximately
20 new native Pennsylvania trees to replace the ones destroyed in the past
years by severe storms.
- Public Facilities & Improvements – Mercer Street Retaining Wall
& Sidewalk - $169,350 - Excavation and demolition of existing deteriorated
retaining wall; traffic control; new concrete retaining walls under sidewalks;
new 42" high concrete wall at project area; paving of new sidewalks,
replacement of railing with 42" railing; ADA curb ramp at Maryland Avenue
and Mercer Street; and a 5'-0" x 5'-4" ADA turn-around at the
northern "dead end" area of Mercer Street.
The activities proposed are
categorically excluded under HUD regulations at
(24
CFR Part 58) from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that
documents the environmental determination
for
these projects is on file at the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler,
129 West Cunningham Street, Butler, PA and may be examined or copied Wednesdays
and Thursdays between the hours of 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM. An environmental review strategy has been
prepared and it has been determined that the only applicable site-specific 24
CFR 58.5 and 58.6 requirements for the subject program are historic
preservation, explosive/flammable operations, toxic substances, and flood
insurance. Each site shall be reviewed
against these factors, with compliance fully documented, before approving any
specific loans or grants.
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may
submit written comments on the ERR to the Redevelopment Authority of the City
of Butler. All comments received by
April
30, 2025 will be considered by the Redevelopment Authority prior to authorizing
submission of a request for release of funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL
CERTIFICATION
The City of Butler certifies to DCED
that Veronica M Walker, in her capacity as Acting Executive Director of the
Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler, consents to accept the
jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce
responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these
responsibilities have been satisfied.
DCED's approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities
under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the City of Butler to
use program funds.
OBJECTIONS
TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
DCED will accept objections to its
release of funds and the City of Butler's certification for a period of (15)
days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the
request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following
bases: (a) that the certification was
not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Butler; (b) the City of
Butler has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by
HUD regulations 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants
in the development process have committed funds or incurred costs or undertaken
activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of
funds by DCED; or (d) another Federal Agency, acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part
1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from
the standpoint of environmental quality.
Objections must be prepared and in accordance with the required
procedures (24 CFR Part 58 Sec. 58.76), and shall be addressed to the
Department of Community and Economic Development at chrhowe@pa.gov. Potential objectors should contact DCED to
verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Veronica M Walker,
Acting Executive Director
