For some neighborhoods in Northwest Austin, the Neighborhood Partnering Program has become a key resource for completing costly improvements to their communities.
Created in 2009, the program allows citizens to partner with the city on small-scale improvements to their neighborhoods, Program Manager Marcus Primm said.
The Adelphi Acres Community Garden and the Anderson Mill Neighborhood Association have completed community projects through the city program to add a community garden and median landscaping, respectively, allowing neighbors to come together and improve the places where they live, work and play.
The Gracywoods Neighborhood Association plans to apply for funding through the program, too. Association President Francoise Luca said the program would be instrumental in funding the restoration of Gracywoods Park.
“The cool thing is that we as neighbors have the opportunity to influence what we are actually surrounded by,” she said.
Through a subprogram called the Neighborhood Cost-Share Program, the city helps fund projects as long as the neighborhood provides some funding and volunteer work. Eligible projects include beautification, community gardens and park improvements.
“[It’s] anything that makes the neighborhood more appealing to the eye,” Primm said.
The overall program has invested $1.2 million in neighborhood projects and funded a total of 32 projects, with seven more pending for 2017, Primm said.
Neighborhoods must provide 30 percent of the cost for projects under $150,000 and 50 percent for projects costing $150,000-$500,000. Cost sharing may be achieved through cash contributions, in-kind materials, professional services or volunteer labor, Primm said.
“The volunteering method is a good opportunity to build community,” he said.
Applications for the program are accepted June 1 and Oct. 1. A resident identifies city-owned property that needs improvement and sketches a proposal, estimates the budget and plans fundraising. The resident then needs endorsement from the neighborhood association and at least 60 percent of residents abutting the project.
Once the city deems a project eligible, staffers work with the association to complete the application.
“They really walk you through the process,” said Frannie Sanchez, a Gracywoods resident in charge of the neighborhood’s park restoration.
Besides the two Northwest Austin projects completed with the program’s assistance, five other projects are underway, according to the program’s online database.
The Milwood Neighborhood Association received approval in August for funding to repair portions of the Northern Walnut Creek Trail, which runs along the eastern side of Balcones District Park, neighborhood association President Meg Davis said.
This was the second application the neighborhood association completed with the program, she said.
“The really awesome thing is they are so hands-on,” Davis said. “If you tell them an idea, they’ll walk you through all the steps.”
The Gracywoods Neighborhood Association plans to submit its application Oct. 1, Luca said.
The neighborhood hopes to get a shade structure and water fountain installed and update the playscape so it is compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, she said.
“Originally the playscape was a surprise to the neighborhood,” Luca said. “The community really didn’t have the opportunity to put together a wishlist. This is a chance for us to go back and do a little bit of planning.”
For some neighborhoods in Northwest Austin, the Neighborhood Partnering Program has become a key resource for completing costly improvements to their communities.
Created in 2009, the program allows citizens to partner with the city on small-scale improvements to their neighborhoods, Program Manager Marcus Primm said.
The Adelphi Acres Community Garden and the Anderson Mill Neighborhood Association have completed community projects through the city program to add a community garden and median landscaping, respectively, allowing neighbors to come together and improve the places where they live, work and play.
The Gracywoods Neighborhood Association plans to apply for funding through the program, too. Association President Francoise Luca said the program would be instrumental in funding the restoration of Gracywoods Park.
“The cool thing is that we as neighbors have the opportunity to influence what we are actually surrounded by,” she said.
Through a subprogram called the Neighborhood Cost-Share Program, the city helps fund projects as long as the neighborhood provides some funding and volunteer work. Eligible projects include beautification, community gardens and park improvements.
“[It’s] anything that makes the neighborhood more appealing to the eye,” Primm said.
The overall program has invested $1.2 million in neighborhood projects and funded a total of 32 projects, with seven more pending for 2017, Primm said.
Neighborhoods must provide 30 percent of the cost for projects under $150,000 and 50 percent for projects costing $150,000-$500,000. Cost sharing may be achieved through cash contributions, in-kind materials, professional services or volunteer labor, Primm said.
“The volunteering method is a good opportunity to build community,” he said.
Applications for the program are accepted June 1 and Oct. 1. A resident identifies city-owned property that needs improvement and sketches a proposal, estimates the budget and plans fundraising. The resident then needs endorsement from the neighborhood association and at least 60 percent of residents abutting the project.
Once the city deems a project eligible, staffers work with the association to complete the application.
“They really walk you through the process,” said Frannie Sanchez, a Gracywoods resident in charge of the neighborhood’s park restoration.
Besides the two Northwest Austin projects completed with the program’s assistance, five other projects are underway, according to the program’s online database.
The Milwood Neighborhood Association received approval in August for funding to repair portions of the Northern Walnut Creek Trail, which runs along the eastern side of Balcones District Park, neighborhood association President Meg Davis said.
This was the second application the neighborhood association completed with the program, she said.
“The really awesome thing is they are so hands-on,” Davis said. “If you tell them an idea, they’ll walk you through all the steps.”
The Gracywoods Neighborhood Association plans to submit its application Oct. 1, Luca said.
The neighborhood hopes to get a shade structure and water fountain installed and update the playscape so it is compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, she said.
“Originally the playscape was a surprise to the neighborhood,” Luca said. “The community really didn’t have the opportunity to put together a wishlist. This is a chance for us to go back and do a little bit of planning.”
