DATE OF NOTICE: March 10, 2021
RESPONSIBLE ENTITY: City of New Kensington
ADDRESS: 901 5th Avenue, Suite 300, New Kensington, PA 15068
TELEPHONE: 724-337-3525
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of New Kensington (City).
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about March 26, 2021, the City of New Kensington will submit a request to the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to release federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93‑383) (Act), to undertake the following project:
ASSESSED PROJECT
Memorial Park – The project involved making park improvements to Memorial park including road reconstruction for the roadway leading into the park, which will happen first. Pending additional funds, park improvements such as those to play structures and amenities will be undertaken. Estimated CDBG funding: $74,875 Project location: Memorial Park, 1500 Stevenson Boulevard, New Kensington, PA 15068
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI)
The City has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file with the City of New Kensington.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to William Herman, Redevelopment Authority of the City of New Kensington, 901 5th Avenue, Suite 300, New Kensington, PA 15068 or RANewKen@gmail.com. All comments received by 4:00 PM on March 25, 2021will be considered by the City prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of New Kensington certifies to DCED that Thomas Guzzo, in his capacity as Mayor of the City of New Kensington, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the federal courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process, and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. DCED and/or HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of New Kensington to use CDBG Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
DCED will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of New Kensington’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of New Kensington; (b) The City of New Kensington has omitted a step or failed to make a determination or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by DCED or HUD; or (d) another federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to PA Department of Community and Economic Development at: chrhowe@pa.gov Potential objectors should contact the State via email to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Thomas Guzzo, Mayor, City of New Kensington
Certifying Officer