Girard City Council to vote on applications for two grants

GIRARD -- City council will be asked Monday to approve two grant applications before lawmakers take their summer recess during July.
Mayor James J. Melfi said Friday that the city is seeking $60,000 for this year's Community Development Block Grant program.
Also, the city is reapplying for a $300,000 grant that is designated to help small, economically distressed cities.
Both applications will be made to the Ohio Department of Development and used in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods.
About $30,000 of the CDBG money will be used to demolish the old North Avenue School to make way for senior housing.
An additional $24,000 will be used to resurface High Street, between Broadway and Liberty streets.
A public hearing on the distress grant will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in city council chambers.
Melfi said the meeting is important because the city gets additional credit if more residents attend.
The target area is west of U.S. Route 422 between Hancock and Henry streets.
If approved, the city is seeking nearly $117,000 for new and replacement sidewalks, $48,000 for resurfacing, $10,000 for demolition, about $34,000 for sanitary and storm sewers and $60,000 for a pavilion and restrooms at Hartzell Park.
The city received a similar grant two years ago. A second application was denied in January.