“BUILD” ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR PLANNING GRANTS

May 18, 2004
Sharyn Wisniewski (608) 267-8823
County Executive

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk is inviting communities to apply for Better Urban Infill Development (BUILD) planning grants. The BUILD program provides grants to Dane County municipalities to support planning that leads to downtown revitalization, infill development, and great neighborhoods. The grants will pay for part of the cost of hiring planning consultants to work with the local community. Since Falk started the program three years ago, BUILD has funded 35 planning projects in 18 communities throughout the County. Some of BUILD-funded plans are taking shape, such as Cannery Square in downtown Sun Prairie, the Shops off Main mixed-use project in downtown Verona, and the new senior housing and retail space going up on Monona Drive at the former Kohl’s site. “Exciting, new downtown improvements start with good planning. That’s where BUILD grants are really helpful to citizens and their community leaders,” said Falk. Grants will be awarded to planning efforts that further the objectives of the BUILD program, including plans to make better use of existing infrastructure; locate community services, jobs and shopping in close proximity; stabilize and enhance existing neighborhoods, downtowns and other business districts; produce housing and jobs for low to moderate-income people; avoid converting productive farmland on urban fringes and in rural areas; provide viable options to auto trips by supporting walking, biking, and transit; and have the potential to clean up environmentally contaminated sites. Grants for neighborhood planning should advance the “great neighborhood” principles of more compact development. Eligible applicants are local Dane County municipalities. A local match is required. Application guidelines and information about the BUILD program can be obtained on the County’s web site at http://www.co.dane.wi.us/plandev/commdev/build.htm or by contacting Steve Steinhoff with Dane County Planning and Development at 266-4270 or by email at steinhoff@co.dane.wi.us. The deadline to submit funding applications is June 11. # # #