The meeting highlighted several key investments. The Holloway Interim Housing program is expected to be completed in FY 2025 with a budget of $16.6 million. This cost covers previous acquisition and construction expenses, as well as additional financing to complete the project. Another project discussed was the “temporary” dog park at Plummer Park, estimated at $1.9 million, and the new parking lot at 8120 Santa Monica Boulevard in Crescent Heights, with expected costs of about $3.4 million.
Additional investments include various improvements to parks and recreational facilities, totaling approximately $2.8 million in FY 2025 and $2.0 million in FY 2026.
Notably, while most of the recommendations from the Public Service Commission were incorporated into the budget, the stand-alone health facilities in Plummer Park were excluded, although upgrades to existing health facilities were approved to enhance the security and accessibility.
The autonomous bathrooms were part of a long list of budget requests presented by the commission, for which the chairman Andrew Solomon had insisted. Solomon was on hand to express his thanks and concern for the omission.
Ongoing and new construction projects include the AIDS Monument, Log Cabin improvements, Hart Park improvements, the City Playhouse, and the completion of the second phase of the Design District, which involves utility undergrounding . Planning projects such as the Fountain Avenue road and bike lanes, and comprehensive plans for several other city projects, were also discussed.
Wilson also touched on the city’s long-term investment in fiber infrastructure, with a projected budget of about $14 million earmarked for fiber projects in the city, part of a larger, potentially $100 million project paid for by the fiber provider, Plenary Group, a global investment firm.
