Anaheim : Council to Divvy Up Federal Block Grants

More than $3.7 million in federal block grants will be divided by the City Council tonight, with the biggest chunks slated for community centers, parks, code enforcement and the Police Department’s anti-gang unit.

The citizens block grant committee and the city staff are recommending that the proposed downtown community center get the biggest grant, $974,583. Construction of the community center, which will contain a gymnasium, senior center and art gallery, is scheduled to begin in about two years.

About 60 city departments and community groups requested grants, but only 19 are slated to receive funds. The block grants, from the Housing and Urban Development Department, are to benefit low- and moderate-income residents, aid in the elimination of slums and blight and alleviate serious immediate threats to community welfare. Last year, the city received $3.4 million in federal block grants.

The money must be spent between July 1 and June 30, 1995.

Other departments and programs scheduled to receive grants of more than $100,000 are:

* Code enforcement, which would get $718,024 to continue stepped-up efforts against dilapidated housing in the Central City, Citron, South Anaheim and Patrick Henry neighborhoods.

* The Community Development Department, which would use $225,000 to administer the grants.

* The proposed Citron Park, which would receive about $225,000 in acquisition funds.

* The police anti-gang unit, which would receive $211,562 to continue paying eight officers’ salaries and benefits.

* The proposed South Anaheim Community Center, which would get about $180,000 for construction.

* The Housing Department program for home rehabilitation loans for low-income residents, which would receive $150,000.

* Manzanita Park, which would receive $117,000 for the expansion of its parking lot and picnic areas and for landscaping.

The council meeting begins at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd.