Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 1, 1994 TAG: 9402010149
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The city's allocation will be 9.6 percent higher than this year's amount.
As a so-called entitlement community, Roanoke receives an annual allocation of Community Development Block Grant money. Most cities and counties in Western Virginia have to compete for funds.
The money can be used for housing rehabilitation, neighborhood projects, economic development and other revitalization projects.
The city will have a workshop tonight to get residents' suggestions on how to spend the money.
The hearing will be at First Baptist Church, 310 North Jefferson St., near Hotel Roanoke, at 6:30.
"This year, we're following the format of an old-fashioned town meeting," said Charlie Harlow, who monitors grants for the city.
"We'll have a survey at the beginning where citizens can prioritize issues that have been raised in the past, such as housing improvements, creating new jobs, reducing crime and creating incentives for home ownership."
Harlow said city officials also will review what has been accomplished with the federal funds in the past 12 to 18 months.
"Then we'll have one large, open forum where citizens can simply speak from their seats and share their ideas," he said.
The city staff will be available to provide technical information on specific areas of interest.
After the workshop, the city staff will prepare a draft budget, which will be based partly on the suggestions form the workshop.
A second public meeting will be held April 14 to outline the proposed budget. The final steps will be a recommendation to City Council and a public hearing in May.
by CNB