Bangor ostensibly approved giving $415,000 in pandemic relief funding to one local organization — though city councilors discussed eight requests for funding — in the city’s first wave of federal COVID-19 relief awards.
The Bangor Area Recovery Network requested $415,000 to support renovating the nonprofit’s Recovery Community Center. The building, which was built in the 1950s, has an inefficient electrical system and isn’t accessible to those with mobility limitations.
The renovation project, estimated to cost $495,600, will include a complete overhaul of the electrical systems, installing solar panels, and updating and expanding the heating system, according to the application. The community center’s interior renovations will expand the space and enhance the safety and accessibility of the building.
The award is the first the council approved from the 60 applications the city received in May, which were all asking for a piece of the $16.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding the city has left to give. Those applications were evaluated and ranked by the Heart of Maine United Way last month, then passed along to councilors for a final decision.
The city previously set aside $4.2 million of its original $20.8 million in pandemic relief funding for a few local organizations in partnership with the county. The rest of the money must be earmarked by 2024 and spent by 2027.
Though councilors agreed Wednesday to dole out funding to support their proposal, they can’t officially approve the award until their next city council meeting on Monday.
Wednesday’s workshop was the first in a series of weekly meetings councilors will have to evaluate and make decisions on the top 25 ranked applications divided by their “area of emphasis,” meaning what issue the proposals seek to combat. Wednesday’s meeting focused on the housing and substance use proposals.
Councilors did not reject any of the seven other applications that were considered Wednesday, but some had additional questions on certain proposals or wanted to explore funding a proposal using other pots of money the city has in its arsenal.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bangor and Bangor Housing Development Corporation asked for $1 million and $2 million, respectively, for projects that would create affordable housing in the Bangor area.
Councilors agreed they want to use ARPA funds to expand housing, but first want the city to explore using some Community Development Block Grant funds for Habitat for Humanity’s project.
Councilors also suggested Habitat for Humanity asks the county for more pandemic relief funding before the city decides on its application.
Bangor Housing requested a federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit, which councilors noted are very competitive. Because of this, councilors want any future funding to be contingent on the organization receiving the tax credit.
The three other housing applications councilors considered Wednesday ranged from $275,000 to $375,000. Volunteers of America Northern New England completed two applications for different projects, and Together Place Housing Inc. submitted one request.
Rather than approve Volunteers of America Northern New England’s two applications immediately, councilors opted to wait to see if the requests could be met with Community Development Block Grant funds or a contribution from the county.
While councilors noted Together Place is a valuable community resource, Councilor Jonathan Sprague said the organization is not a nonprofit and wondered what would happen to the city’s award if the center closed.
Councilor Dan Tremble also asked to see Together Place’s financial statements, which weren’t included in the Together Place’s application, before ruling on the request.
Finally, the council considered two applications aimed at combating substance use in Bangor.
Wellspring asked for $597,500 to add up to 20 new substance use treatment beds. Councilors agreed to support Wellspring’s expansion, but asked how the city could use opioid settlement funds from the state to fill the request.
Councilor Cara Pelletier also wondered how Wellspring plans to hire trained staff to oversee that expansion.
Bangor Health Equity Alliance requested $697,710 to establish a resource center for people and local businesses that have been most affected by substance use disorder, mental health diagnoses and homelessness or unstable housing.
Pelletier said this could take some pressure off the Bangor Public Library, which has become a daytime warming center and community space for homeless people because of the resources it offers.
While councilors were in favor of supporting the project, they want to ask the county to chip in half of the funds requested before making a final decision.