City of Saginaw, Michigan

October 14, 2022 SAGINAW, MI—At the October 10 City Council meeting, City Manager Tim Morales provided an update on the recent allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The City would like to share this information with citizens and organizations that have additional questions on the allocation process.

At the September 26 City Council meeting, City Council approved the allocation of $11.6 million in ARPA funds for housing and blight related categories. On September 12, City Council approved the allocation of $1.2 million to demolish the remaining buildings, excluding the Fairgrounds gate, from the
Saginaw County Fairgrounds, currently owned by the Saginaw County Housing Commission. We are now working to move those items forward, taking the following steps:
  • $1.2 million allocated for the Saginaw Fairgrounds Demolition -- The City Attorney, with the assistance of city staff, has drafted the agreement to demolish the buildings and prepare the site for any possible development. That agreement has been forwarded to the Saginaw Housing Commission Director for review and comment.
  • $3.8 million allocated to Saginaw owner occupied home rehabilitation programs. City staff will continue to work with Guidehouse to develop an application process and program guidelines. The City hopes to have a proposed concept and application process in place in the near future. We will announce when that program is open for residents to complete an application.
  • $5 million allocated for a revolving loan fund for residential and commercial properties. City staff is working with Guidehouse to develop an application process and guidelines. The City hopes to have a proposed concept and process in place in the near future. We will announce when that program is open for applications.
  • $2 million to address food insecurities and food desert challenges by the rehabilitation of an existing vacant or blighted structure. The city is seeking a firm to conduct a feasibility study on a location, the viability of a food co-op, and other options. The city will reach out to other cities in Michigan who are conducting a similar project for ideas on the feasibility study and analysis.
  • $800,000 for environmental investigation cleanup and blight elimination. This includes both personnel and equipment. At the October 10 meeting, City Council approved the hiring of an individual dedicated to perform investigations on any illegal dumping in neighborhoods and throughout the city, and assist with cleanup efforts. This individual will also review any equipment requirements, such as packer trucks and other needed equipment, for future cleanup efforts. This individual will begin in the next few weeks.

The City has received numerous phone calls from residents and organizations on these allocations, particularly on the home rehabilitation program. The criteria for all allocations is still being finalized, and will be available on our website in the near future. We will make a formal announcement once the housing rehabilitation program is open for residents to complete an application.

For additional information on ARPA funding and allocation information, please visit the ARPA page on the City’s website at www.saginaw-mi.com/ARPA or follow the City of Saginaw on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofsaginawgovernment/

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