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the infrastructure for the community garden was approximately $20,000; cost estimates include supplies/materials and contracting costs
for fencing and gates, cinder block garden plots and storage bins, irrigation, concrete sidewalks, and park benches/tables. Council
approved the $20,000 plus an additional $10,000 for contingencies.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAMS

On January 17, 2019, City Council approved the 45 Year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project to include installing streetlights
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on Crosslands Road between S.H. 183 and Bellaire Drive at a cost of $184,047. In September 2019, it was expanded to include installing
sidewalk along this same stretch of street. In January 2017, the Council held public hearings on the use of CDBG funds in the 2017-18 fiscal
year. Three projects were identified. City Staff applied for grant funds through Tarrant County. Benbrook was awarded $177,000 for the
42 CDBG year. These funds are allocated to install streetlights on Bellaire Drive. Apartments surround Crosslands Road and there are
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currently no street lights on this roadway. The street light design meets the requirements in the Subdivision Rules and Regulations. The project
includes approximately seventeen 250W, 480V lights installed on thirty-foot steel poles spaced 180 feet apart. Staff discussed the project
with Oncor Electric and estimated the cost at $177,000.

In past years, these grant funds have been used to build and expand the Senior Citizens Center, to construct and renovate restroom facilities at
City parks, to purchase a multi-passenger van to transport senior citizens, and to construct sidewalks and wheelchair ramps. The 2004-05
Budget included CDBG funds to construct drive approaches, sidewalks, and other improvements for portions of three streets in the CDBG target
area of Benbrook. In 2005-06, CDBG funds were designated for the second phase of this street and sidewalk improvement project in the
CDBG target area of Benbrook. In 2006-07, CDBG funds were designated for the flood protection in the CDBG Target Area (Timber Creek
Culvert – Increased Capacity Project). In 2007-08, CDBG funds were used for additional flood protection to remove approximately four
residences on Usher Street from the 100-year floodplain. In 2008-09 CDBG funds were used for sidewalks on Bryant Street and Usher Street.
In 2009-10, two projects were completed with CDBG funds: (1) additional sidewalks for Usher Street south of Mercedes Street and (2) paving
of a portion of an alley between Mercedes Street and Cozby North Street. For 2010-11, CDBG funds were used for four projects: (1) contract
with Fort Worth Transportation Authority for elderly and handicapped transit services, (2) salary costs for Senior Citizens Coordinator, (3)
improved handicapped access within Dutch Branch Park, and (4) allocation of funds for housing rehabilitation. For 2011-12 two projects were
funded: construction of an alley between Warden Street and Park Center Street and allocation of funds for housing rehabilitation. In 2012-
13 Budget funds were expended for housing rehabilitation and for street illumination and lighting. The 2013-14 Budget included funds for an
alley between Usher Street and Wade Hampton Street and for creation of a playground at the pocket park on Bryant Street. The last project
financed with CDBG funds was the construction sidewalks on Bellaire Drive in 2016-17.

In the 2013-14 fiscal year, a major change was made to the City’s participation in the Community Development Block Grant program
administered through Tarrant County. From 1975 to this year, Benbrook had applied for a portion of the funds each year and was awarded

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