In 2005, the city of Newman joined the Stanislaus County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Consortium. This program has allowed the city to access over a million dollars of federal funding for projects which meet specific economic criteria. Since joining the consortium, the city has used these funds to install new playground equipment and restrooms in Pioneer Park, enhanced safety for children walking to Hunt School through the construction of sidewalks and handicap ramps along Yolo Street, installed a computer lab at the teen center and developed a referral service for our senior population.

Later this summer, the city will begin construction on the first of four projects planned over the next year. Many of the city sewer lines located within the older section of town are archaic and need replacement. The project will replace six blocks of sewer lines serving some of the city’s oldest residential structures.

In the spring, residents who live along Fresno Street between R and T streets will see new sidewalks, curbs and gutters being installed. The goal of the project is to enhance pedestrian safety, provide better storm drainage during the winter season and improve the overall appearance of the area.

The city also plans to continue upgrading Pioneer Park. The next phase of improvements includes the rehabilitation or reconstruction of the picnic shelter and installation of a modernized irrigation system. As the home of the Newman Fall Festival, the city believes it is important to renovate the park to demonstrate our commitment to existing neighborhoods and to continue to portraying a positive image of our community.

This funding has also allowed the city and school district to work together to bring a computer training program to our community. Stanislaus County and Modesto Junior College have worked together to develop a curriculum that teaches residents skills which will help them find a job and/or progress within their employment field. Class topics range from basic understanding of the computer (What’s in the Box?) to web page design to MS Word and Excel. The program will offer over 30 individual classes, some bilingual, beginning Sept. 9.  All classes are free to the public and will be held at the new Adult Education Center, located adjacent to the Von Renner campus.

The CDBG Consortium has provided the city funding necessary to make substantial improvements within an older section of our town. Without this opportunity, these projects would not have been possible. Our staff is committed to developing and continuing these types of relationships which have a positive influence on the daily lives of our residents.

Michael Holland is Newman’s City Manager.

Be first to comment this story

Comments
Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Please increase the credibility of your post by including your full name and city when commenting. Although we are under no obligation to do so, we reserve the right to remove any comments we deem to be defamatory, libelous or otherwise inappropriate.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*