2011 neighborhood grants program under way

via Omaha by Design

Hey, neighborhoods – got your ideas ready?

Mayor Jim Suttle has allocated $90,000 to award grants to neighborhood associations citywide in 2011. Grants are available in two areas – neighborhood green improvements and crime prevention. Associations may apply for one or both grants for a maximum combined total of $5,000.

Some examples of green improvement projects are community gardens, bike racks, trail/walking path signage, recycling receptacles, benches and picnic tables, energy efficient lighting, green space development, and tree purchasing and planting.

Crime prevention grants focus on community involvement to reduce crime and improve public well being. Each association must have local law enforcement approval. Project examples include communication for citizen patrols (radios, radio batteries and scanners), Omaha Coalition of Citizen Patrols-approved uniforms and car signage, and Crime Prevention through Environmental Design.

The 2011 program will not fund one-time events, projects on private property, neighborhood entrance signs and analog radio equipment.

Neighborhood associations must be registered and listed in the City of Omaha’s Neighborhood Association Directory in order to be eligible. To access the directory, visit www.cityofomaha.org/mayor, then click on “Neighborhoods” and then “List of Associations.” Priority funding will be given to applicants that have participated in a Place Game workshop conducted by Omaha by Design. See this fact sheet for details.

The application deadline is Friday, April 1, at 4:00pm. Applications can be downloaded from www.cityofomaha.org/mayor. The grant awardees will be announced Friday, April 22. For more information, contact Tom McCauley at 402.444.7918 or tom.mccauley@ci.omaha.ne.us.