Public comments sought on MTW agreement amendment
Capital work items may be pursued if funding becomes available
SEATTLE—January 16, 2009—Public comments are being accepted through February 15 for an amendment to Seattle Housing Authority's 2009 Moving to new Ways/Moving to Work (MTW) Annual Plan.
The amended capital plan would prepare Seattle Housing Authority for possible economic stimulus funding. In case funding does come through, Seattle Housing Authority is readying a number of much-needed projects to be "shovel ready." In order to be eligible for this funding, the agency must make changes to the 2009 MTW plan. An amendment to this plan is currently out for public comment.
The amendment adds a list of possible projects to SHA's capital projects list, in the event that additional federal funding becomes available. View the amendment and instructions for providing comments in PDF format (148 KB, download Adobe Reader).
According to Executive Director Tom Tierney, "I want people to understand this as a list of potential projects, not a definite commitment on our part. I am not confident that new funding would be enough to do all of the projects on this list. If we do get some stimulus money, we will then have to decide which projects we can afford to tackle."
Projects on the list for amending the MTW plan include: major systems rehabilitation at Bell Tower, Denny Terrace and Jefferson Terrace, similar to the homeWorks project; upgrades to those three buildings, plus Tri-Court and 28 Scattered Sites units to increase the number of units that meet the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standard (UFAS) for people with disabilities; new rental housing and infrastructure at Rainier Vista; and the development of parks at High Point.
Projects will be selected based on the funding criteria and the amount of money Seattle Housing Authority ultimately receives. The Board of Commissioners will be responsible for choosing which projects will go forward. If sufficient funds are not provided in 2009, SHA will continue to look for funding for these projects.
A public hearing will take place Thursday, January 29 at 3:30 p.m. at the agency's Central Office, located at 120 Sixth Ave N.
Accommodations and interpreters are available at the hearing by contacting Andria Lazaga at 206-615-3546 before January 23.
