Development News for Mount Vernon, Ohio

City Council Approves Applications for Multiple Community Development Block Grants

The City Council moved to adopt Resolution 2026-64, authorizing the Safety Service Director to prepare and submit applications for PY 20226 Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). These include the Neighborhood Revitalization Grant (NRG), Critical Infrastructure Grant, Residential Public Infrastructure Grant, and an Allocations Grant. The NRG grant, with a total of $750,000 and $700,000 for construction, will focus on the Pleasant Street neighborhood (census tract north of Pleasant Street, west of Vern Drive, and parts of Koshockton Avenue). Potential improvements identified through extensive public input include sidewalk projects on Pleasant Street (north side), Beach Street (south side to connect to the park), and bringing back a bridge across the ditch at Beach Street. Stormwater and drainage issues in the Hilltop Drive and Beach Street area will also be addressed, as will improvements to the basketball courts at Haywatha Park. The city aims to scope the project to the grant funding amount to minimize or eliminate the local match requirement, as the grant does not mandate a match. The resolution was adopted after suspending the rules due to an upcoming lack of quorum and a June 10th application deadline.