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Greenville budget prioritizes affordable housing and public transit

Staff Report //June 12, 2020//

Greenville budget prioritizes affordable housing and public transit

Staff Report //June 12, 2020//

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The city of Greenville’s budget, approved Wednesday after a second reading, will set aside $2 million for affordable housing and $1.2 million for Greenlink funding.

“This budget shouts neighborhood friendly,” Mayor Knox White said in a news release. “The city is committed to building new sidewalks, expanding our trails and calming traffic in residential areas. During COVID many communities stopped recycling and yard waste pickup; Greenville continued both. Quality of life, to include public safety, affordable housing and excellent customer service, remains our focus.”

The budget prioritizes affordable housing, economic development, neighborhood improvement and transportation investment, according to the release. Funding for affordable housing increased by $500,000 since the first reading of the budget and will be put toward new construction, rehabilitation projects and rent assistance.

The city already had allocated $5 million from the County Square and West End parking fund for affordable housing expenses, according to the release.

“During a generational economic emergency related to COVID-19, the city is investing in community priorities without increasing taxes and fees or furloughing employees,” the release said.

Allocations include:

  • $ 1 million for new sidewalk construction
  • $ 1 million for street resurfacing
  • $ 3.5 million for bridges on an extended Swamp Rabbit trail
  • $ 1.3 million for storm water improvement
  • $ 750,000 for job creation and marketing under the city’s economic development department
  • $ 750,000 for business-friendly permitting and development procedures
  • $ 500,000 for road safety improvements.

According to proposed 2021 budget plans (.pdf) from May 18, the budget will add up to about $101 million or about $4 million above this year’s $97 million budget.

The city of Greenville previously approved allocating $5 million from the County Square and West End Parking fund toward affordable housing, according to the release.

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