CITY OF WHEELING,
WEST VIRGINIA
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
COMBINED PUBLIC
NOTICE
(1) NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (NOI / RROF); AND
(2) NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI)
DATE OF NOTICE: Friday, October 7, 2022
GRANTEE NAME: City of Wheeling
GRANTEE ADDRESS: 1500 Chapline Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
TELEPHONE: (304) 234-3701
TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS: The purpose of this notice is to satisfy two (2) separate but related procedural notification requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Wheeling, WV.
(1) NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (NOI / RROF)
On or about October 25, 2022, the City of Wheeling will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (P.L. 93-383), to undertake a project funded with FY 2022 CDBG funds for the purpose of redeveloping a vacant urban lot into an outdoor recreational and education space for the Laughlin Community Center.
ASSESSED PROJECT
Laughlin Community Center: FY 2022 CDBG funds will be used for the redevelopment of a vacant overgrown lot between Lane 15 and 17th Street into a new outdoor recreation and education space to be used as an extension of existing after-school and summer programming for low-income children served by the Laughlin Community Center. Improvements will include cleanup of the site and the development of a pavilion, raised gardening beds, multi-use half-court basketball sized surface, interior accessible ramp, perimeter fencing, security cameras and related monitoring equipment, etc. The project is anticipated to start in Calendar Year 2022 and be completed in Calendar Year 2023. The total estimate project budget is $150,000, which includes $100,000 in FY 2022 CDBG funds.
(2) NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI)
The City of Wheeling has determined that the above-identified project 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. The subject project is assessed under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from NEPA requirements. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the City of Wheeling Department of Community and
Economic Development, 1500 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV 26003, and is available for public examination and copying, upon request, during normal business hours Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Wheeling, Department of Economic and Community Development, via mail to: 1500 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 or via email to:
[email protected].
All comments received by October 24, 2022 will be considered by the City of Wheeling prior to authorizing submittal of a request for release of funds to HUD. Commenters should specify which Notice provided herein they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Wheeling certifies to HUD that Mr. Robert Herron, in his capacity as City Manager, 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 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 of Wheeling to use CDBG funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Wheeling’s certification received by November 9, 2022, or a period of fifteen (15) days from its receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following basis: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Wheeling; (b) the City of Wheeling has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the City of Wheeling 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 projects are unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Section 58.76), and shall be addressed to the CPD Director, HUD Pittsburgh Field Office, via email to
[email protected],
or by calling (412) 644-5846. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Mr. Robert Herron,
City Manager
City of Wheeling
1500 Chapline Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
Int. Oct 7, 2022