Preface: If you don't feel like reading this whole report, the bottom line is that we are looking for suggestions for the wording on a Belmont-DeVilliers welcome sign. It must have a reference to our music heritage, such as "Belmont-DeVilliers, Key Stop on the Chitlin' Circuit".
Now here is the report:
Dolores Curry and I (Ann Hill) attended the city's mandatory meeting for PCIP grant applicants on Feb 3. (PCIP stands for "Pensacola Community Initiatives Program.")
The meeting was hosted by Edward Spears, neighborhood and economic development administrator,
and Helen Gibson, neighborhood coordinator.
Perhaps a dozen neighborhood associations were represented. Neighborhood associations are eligible to apply for a grant of up to $10,000 - but only those associations that did not receive money last year can apply this year. The applications are online or can be picked up from the City Community Development Office from 8 am to 5 pm Mon-Fri. (436-5655). Dolores and I each picked up a set of applications.
There are two application packets available, one for "association-owned" property improvements, which provide 50% of the cost of the project. The other is for "public property" improvements, which provide two-thirds of the cost of the project. The applicant can match the grant through cash, volunteer labor credited at $10 per hour, or through in-kind building and other materials/supplies or professional services at their actual cash value. The maximum grant is for $10,000, and we would need to match this 1 to 2 (our third to their two-thirds).
Only one project can be submitted. Deadline is April 4, with the awards announced in May, and a year to completion allowed.
At the meeting, we were told that there are additional funds that have been set aside for a "one-time only" project for landscaping and improving the streetscape on A Street from Main up to Maxwell. We were told that none of the affected neighborhood associations would have to forfeit their PCIP grant for this project. (This A St. project would involve Belmont-DeVilliers, Sunshine, Tanyard and North Hill neighborhood associations.)
Side Note: Dolores attended a special presentation on the A St. tree project on Feb. 8, where it was explained that present funding for this expansive project is limited, but that the funds would cover tree planting for that entire section of A St. The BDNA was encouraged to consider applying for a PCIP to enhance the tree project. Laying down sod was given as an example. Tree choices are crepe myrtle or oak.
Another suggestion that has been discussed at association meetings is welcome signs at key junctures of the Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood. At the November meeting, Christopher Davis of the Clever Ogre marketing, 526 W. Chase St., and Matt Behnke and Erik Mattson of SeeLevel Graphics, 301 S. Adams St., took ideas for such signage. It was at that meeting that association member Neil Richards offered some of the historic bricks he rescued that were removed from Belmont Street to be used for the sign(s).
Dolores mentioned to me that Clever Ogre was going to give us an update on the signage at the next meeting. I offered to call Clever Ogre and See Level Graphics to see how the signage design is coming along. That particular signage project has not gone very far as yet, but Erik took down the requirements of the PCIP grant and will discuss the project with Clever Ogre and hopefully have a rendering for us at the March 2 meeting. A sign that large requires a good section of land, and Dolores suggested the state-owned center island on Garden St. at DeVilliers as one possibility. She encourages members to take a look at the Maxent Tract sign on G St. between Garden and Gregory.
A slide show of past projects at the PCIP meeting gave a sampling of various neighborhood signs that have been erected around town. I asked how much these signs cost, and Mr. Spears said $7,000 - $10,000, so if we go with a substantial sign, we might be limited to one sign this year.
At any rate, we hope you have a chance to think about whether you want the association to apply for a PCIP grant to underwrite a project. We'll need to decide at the next meeting to give us some time to fill out the detailed packet (estimates, volunteer sign-up sheets, in-kind materials all have to be documented). If you know a mason or other professional who'd like to put in a bid or volunteer labor, please let us know.
If you have questions or suggestions for the wording of a Belmont-DeVilliers wecome sign, let us know!
Ann Hill 432-9979
Dolores Curry 438-7614
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