Council to award grants for city improvement

TROY, N.Y. >> With help f rom the Troy Capital Resource Corp., the City Council will once again award grants for beautification projects throughout the city through its Neighborhood Improvement Program.

Funding for the program was cut from the city’s 2017 budget, but council President Carmella Mantello said in a news release that fellow council member Robert Doherty, D- District 4, who is also a member of the Capital Resource Corp. board, was able to persuade that group to provide the $9,000 that will be distributed this year.

“While the grants are small in dollar amounts, the leveraging and domino impact of these projects are immense toward improving the quality of life on our streets,” Mantello said in the release.

Mantello said the council is again encouraging neighborhood organizations and volunteers to focus on the city’s gateways.

“As mentioned many times, a first impression is a lasting impression for people, tourists and businesses visiting our community,” she said.

Grants are available to neighborhood- based organizations and homeowner associations, as well as other neighborhood groups, with partnerships encouraged. Last year’s projects included gateway initiatives, improvements to memorials, neighborhood landscaping projects, graffiti removal, neighborhood banners and other projects.

Applicants must provide detailed plans with a view toward creating aesthetic improvements and community impact. Grants will be awarded based on the strength of each application, the need for the funding, and the proposed project impact on the particular neighborhood. The maximum award is $1,000.

Council members Jim Gulli, R-District 1, John Donohue, R- District 6 and Erin Sullivan-Teta, D- at large, will review the proposals, with the entire council voting on the winning entries.

Applications are available at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall on the fifth floor of the Hedley Park Place building at 433 River St. or on the city’s website at www. troyny. gov. There is no application fee, and completed forms will be accepted during business hours at the clerk’s office through Friday, April 21.

For more information, call the City Clerk’s office at 279-7134.