HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem XIIIIdeas for COVID federal fund use. June 2021
The COVID funds are a one-time gift from the federal government that should not only be used for
same-old water, sewer, etc. projects that can be bonded for in the normal Capital Improvements
budget. This is the city’s chance to think out of the box.
1. Lakeshore Park. This major park and others are definitely “infrastructure”, as much as water,
sewer, stormwater. I propose up to $2 million, minimum of $1 million, to do most of Phase 2
(West Park Access) and hopefully West Park ponds. (see p. 40-41 of Lakeshore Master Plan). This
$10 million parks plan will never be accomplished without generous outside money. Grab this
chance.
2. Housing fund. Up to $2 million. The COVID year put the desperate need for low income housing
assistance in our face. The Herald’s Wed. June 23 housing data box says it all. Housing is
stipulated as an approved use for these federal funds (see Herald June 23). We will never see
money like this again.
My goal is to set up a no-interest long term loan or grant fund for rent subsidy for low income
families who live in non-subsidized units (not Housing Authority or section 8). Developers will
never construct low income housing with rent that $14 per hour workers can afford, because
the project will never be viable with rents alone. Subsidy either for developer or for renter or
both will be required.
I ask that the Plan Commission and Common Council request an appropriate plan from the
housing experts at Housing Authority, ADVOCAP, and other agencies for use of this money.
3. Restore lost room tax revenue to Oshkosh Convention and Tourism Bureau and to Grand Opera
House (again an approved fund use).
Kathleen Propp
1936 Hazel St.
Oshkosh 54901
920-231-4770 or jkpropp@earthlink.net or kmpropp42@gmail.com
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