NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
DATE OF NOTICE: August 30, 2023 RESPONSIBLE ENTITY: City of Erie
ADDRESS: Department of Economic and Community Development 626 State Street, Room 404, Erie, PA 16501
TELEPHONE: 814-870-1274
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Erie (City).
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about September 15, 2023, the City will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of community development block grant (CDBG) program funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-383) (Act), as amended, and Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 to be used for the following activities:
Savocchio Opportunity Park – Community Greenhouse. Funds will be used to assist with the construction and development of a community greenhouse. This project meets the National Objective: LMC Low/mod limited clientele benefit: activities that benefit a limited clientele, at least 51% of which are low/mod income. An estimated 500 individuals will benefit from this project. The Site is currently vacant and is in a developed economic area. The site is located between Paragon Dr. and E. 18th St., and Downing Ave. and Thompson St., Erie PA 16510.
FY2023 CDBG funding: $254,474.
HANDS 1319 Parade St. – Rental Rehabilitation. Funds will be to substantially renovate an existing building to create 4 one-bedroom residential rental housing units to be made available for income-eligible households. This project meets the National Objective: LMH Low/mod housing benefit: activities that are carried out for the purpose of providing or improving permanent residential structures that will be occupied by low/mod income households. Circa 1912, the present-day structure was built on the Subject Property. The existing structure has historically been utilized for various commercial purposes until becoming vacant. The site is located at 1319 Parade Street in the City Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania 16503. The property is owned by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie
FY2023 HOME funding: $400,000
FY2021 HOME funding: $250,000
Total funding: $650,000
Our West Bayfront – Rental Rehabilitation. Funds will be used to create affordable
rental housing opportunities for two (2) low to moderate income households. This project involves LMH Low/mod housing benefit: activities that are carried out for the purpose of providing or improving permanent residential structures that will be occupied by low/mod income households. The site is located at 702 Raspberry Street, Erie, PA 16502. The property is currently a commercial business.
FY2023 HOME funding: $213,000
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City of Erie has determined that all three projects will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file with the City of Erie and can be accessed online at https://cityof.erie.pa.us.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Debra Smith, Department of Economic and Community Development, 626 State Street, Room 404, Erie, PA 16501, or by email to dsmith@erie.pa.us. All comments received by September 14, 2023, will be considered by the City prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City certifies to HUD that Joseph V. Schember, Certifying Officer, in his capacity as Mayor of the City of Erie, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the City’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the of the City; (b) the City has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the
required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the HUD Pittsburgh Field Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD), Attn: P Nadab Bynum, CPD Director, by phone at (412) 644-5846, or by email to PGHCPDObjections@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Joseph V. Schember, Mayor