On June 26, 2018, the Board of Supervisors approved the Contra Costa Action Plan for FY 2018/19 CDBG funds. As part of that Action Plan, $693,872 was allocated in the Infrastructure/Public Facilities (IPF) category to eleven projects. Originally, RYSE, Inc. was awarded $70,550 in FY 2018/19 CDBG funds for the RYSE Center Door Replacement Project (18-52-IPF), located at 205 41st Street in Richmond. However, the project has not moved forward due to updated architecture analysis and updated construction costs. Furthermore, RYSE, Inc. is planning a larger renovation project of the RYSE Center where replacing the doors now would not be feasible since the overall design for the renovation would require uninstalling the doors then reinstalling them, and possibly redesigning or reconfiguring the placement of doors. RYSE, Inc. is proposing to replace the doors during and as apart of their larger renovation project of the RYSE Center that they plan to take place in 2021.
RYSE, Inc. has requested to change the project scope of their original project now focusing on a recently acquired building on a neighboring adjacent parcel, located at 4006 Macdonald Avenue in Richmond and part of the RYSE Center. The revised scope consists of installing new fire alarm equipment and an air conditioning system, roof replacement, and a new backdoor. The RYSE Center is a youth center that serves low-income youth in West Contra Costa County ages 13 to 21 including youth who are in and out of school, college bound, homeless, LGBTQ, and some who have been incarcerated. The new scope of work will allow RYSE, Inc. to not only continue the full operations of the youth center during construction but also will allow expansion of the youth center to the 4006 Macdonal Avenue building that will add and/or enhance services provided for youth in the City of Richmond.
CDBG Compliance: The proposed upgrades are consistent with the County's CDBG Consolidated Plan priority of "maintaining quality public facilities and adequate infrastructure, and ensure access for the mobility-impaired by addressing physical access barriers to public facilities." Furthermore, the proposed project is an eligible activity in accordance with federal regulations for the CDBG program [24CFR 570.201(c)]. In order to maintain eligibility, the facility must continue to operate to serve low-income youth for at least five years. If the facility ceases to operate during that timeframe, the CDBG funds must be returned to the County at a pro-rated amount (i.e. if the facility only operated for one year, then $56,440 would be required ro be repaid to the County CDBG Program).
Finance Committee Meeting: The Finance Committee met on July 29, 2019, to consider RYSE, Inc.'s change in scope of work. The meeting was noticed and the project applicant was encouraged to attend. After discussion, the Finance Committee recommended approval of the revised scope of work for RYSE, Inc., on the property located at 4006 Macdonald Avenue in the City of Richmond.
Not approving the Substantial Amendment will delay/prevent the imrpovements to RYSE, Inc.'s newly acquired building.
The recommendation supports one or more of the following children's outcomes:
(1) Children Ready for and Succeeding in School;
(2) Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood;
(3) Families that are Economically Self Sufficient;
(4) Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing; and
(5) Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.