On or about April 16, 2024 the City of Reading will submit a request to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake the following projects:
Tier 1 Broad Review Project Title: CDBG Demolition, Slum and Blight – This project will extend from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2028, and will consist of the following projects/activities:
(2024 CDBG Project # 8: Demolition)
Purpose: To remove blight from the City of Reading
Location: Available city-wide in qualified locations with exact locations to be determined in the site-specific reviews.
Project Description: This is a Multi-Year Project extending from 2024 to 2028 for the above listed projects funded through the CDBG program. A total of $250,000 in CDBG funds will be provided each year for the demolition of ten buildings, as ordered by the City’s Building Official. Tier 2 site specific reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review for each address under this program when addresses become known.
Level of Environmental Review Citation: The activities listed immediately above are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58, Section 58.35(a)(4)(i) from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements.
Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: Airport Hazards, Flood Insurance/Floodplain Management, Contamination and Toxic Substances, Explosive/Flammable/Hazardous Substances, Historic Preservation, , Wetlands, and Environmental Justice.
Mitigation Measures/Conditions/Permits (if any): None known at this time
Estimated Project Cost: $250,000 in PY 2024. It is anticipated that the City will continue to fund this same program in PYs 2025-2028 at an estimated cost of $250,000 per program year. Total estimated project cost – PYs 2024-2028: $1,250,000. The actual annual amount will be identified in the annual Action Plan.
Tier 1 Broad Review Project Title: CDBG Commercial Façade Program – This project will extend from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2028, and will consist of the following projects/activities:( 2024 Project #10: Commercial Façade Improvements)
Purpose: To improve commercial buildings for the benefit of the City and its low- to moderate-income residents
Location: Available city-wide in qualified locations with exact locations to be determined in the site-specific reviews.
Project Description: This is a Multi-Year Project extending from 2024 to 2028 for the above listed projects funded through the CDBG program. A total of $50,000 in CDBG funds will be provided each year to undertake commercial façade improvement projects, with a goal of two facades per year. Tier 2 site specific reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review for each address under this program when addresses become known.
Level of Environmental Review Citation: The activities listed immediately above are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58, Section 58.35(a)(3)(iii)(A) from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements.
Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: Airport Hazards, Flood Insurance/Floodplain Management, Contamination and Toxic Substances, Explosive/Flammable/Hazardous Substances, Historic Preservation, Noise Abatement and Control, Wetlands, and Environmental Justice.
Mitigation Measures/Conditions/Permits (if any): None known at this time
Estimated Project Cost: $50,000 in PY 2024. It is anticipated that the City will continue to fund this same program in PYs 2025-2028 at an estimated cost of $50,000 per program year. Total estimated project cost – PYs 2024-2028: $250,000. The actual annual amount will be identified in the annual Action Plan.
Tier 1 Broad Review Project Title: CDBG Residential Façade Program – This project will extend from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2028, and will consist of the following projects/activities:( 2024 Project #11: Residential Façade Improvements)
Purpose: To improve residential buildings for the benefit of the City and its low- to moderate-income residents
Location: Available city-wide in qualified locations with exact locations to be determined in the site-specific reviews.
Project Description: This is a Multi-Year Project extending from 2024 to 2028 for the above listed projects funded through the CDBG program. A total of $50,000 in CDBG funds will be provided each year to undertake commercial façade improvement projects, with a goal of two facades per year. Tier 2 site specific reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review for each address under this program when addresses become known.
Level of Environmental Review Citation: The activities listed immediately above are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58, Section 58.35(a)(3)(iii)(A) from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements.
Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: Airport Hazards, Flood Insurance/Floodplain Management, Contamination and Toxic Substances, Explosive/Flammable/Hazardous Substances, Historic Preservation, Noise Abatement and Control, Wetlands, and Environmental Justice.
Mitigation Measures/Conditions/Permits (if any): None known at this time
Estimated Project Cost: $50,000 in PY 2024. It is anticipated that the City will continue to fund this same program in PYs 2025-2028 at an estimated cost of $50,000 per program year. Total estimated project cost – PYs 2024-2028: $250,000. The actual annual amount will be identified in the annual Action Plan.
The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the City of Reading, Reading City Hall, Community Development Department, 815 Washington Street, Reading, PA, and may be examined or copied weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Reading, Reading City Hall, Community Development Department, 815 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601, (610) 655-6423. All comments received by April 15, 2024, will be considered by the City of Reading prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Reading certifies to HUD that Eddie Moran, in his capacity as Mayor, 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 of Reading to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will consider objections to its release of funds and the City of Reading’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 or other officer of the City of Reading.
(b) The City of Reading has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulation 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 Philadelphia Office of Community Planning and Development at [email protected] . Potential objectors should contact HUD/State to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
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