The funds, part of a total $10.9 million awarded to the city to support pandemic recovery, must be allocated by Dec. 31 or returned to the U.S. Treasury, said Jennifer Gates, grants coordinator for the city of New Braunfels, at an Oct. 21 City Council meeting.
The breakdown
New Braunfels’ ARPA funds have already supported multiple recovery projects across the city, Gates said:
- $7.2 million went to nine projects from eight local nonprofits.
- $500,000 helped residents cover essential utility bills through partnerships with the New Braunfels Food Bank and the city library.
- $2.5 million was designated for transportation improvements toward mobility across the area.
Council will consider two options for the remaining $500,000—fully funding mobility improvements, or dividing it between mobility and emergency housing.
- Option 1: Allocate all $500,000 to public transit and pedestrian safety improvements, adding features like enhanced road striping and pedestrian safety measures on high-traffic streets.
- Option 2: Split the funds, directing $325,000 to mobility improvements and $175,000 to emergency housing. This would enable New Braunfels Housing Partners to expedite Phase 2 of its cold weather shelter on Loop 337, supporting the local homeless population during severe weather and emergencies, Gates said.
Although the council did not take a formal vote, the council consensus leaned toward Option 2 during the council meeting.
City staff are seeking feedback and direction from the council to move forward, as there is a deadline to allocate the remaining funds by Dec. 31.
